Degeneration (medicine)
Degeneration (medicine)
Degeneration (pronounced: /dɪˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃən/) in the field of medicine refers to the progressive functional decline or loss of function in the cells, tissues, or organs of the body. The term is often used to describe conditions that are related to aging or disease.
Etymology
The term "degeneration" comes from the Latin word degenerare, which means "to depart from its own kind". It was first used in the medical context in the 18th century to describe the deterioration of body tissues or organs.
Types of Degeneration
There are several types of degeneration that can occur in the body, including:
- Neurodegeneration: This refers to the progressive loss of function of neurons, which can lead to conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
- Macular degeneration: This is a medical condition which may result in blurred or no vision in the center of the visual field.
- Osteoarthritis: This is a type of joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone.
Related Terms
- Atrophy: This is a decrease in the size of a body part, cell, organ, or other tissue.
- Necrosis: This is a form of cell injury which results in the premature death of cells in living tissue.
- Apoptosis: This is a process of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Degeneration (medicine)
- Wikipedia's article - Degeneration (medicine)
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