myopathies
Diseases affecting muscles
Myopathies is the plural of myopathy, a disease or disorder of muscle tissue.
The term covers conditions where muscles weaken, waste, or function abnormally—from inherited muscular dystrophies to inflammatory conditions to drug-induced muscle damage.
The doctor ordered tests to rule out various myopathies.
Deficiency in force
- atrophyWasting from disuse
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- wastingUsing poorly, inefficiently
- hypotoniaDecreased muscle tone condition
contractures · myalgia · cramps · stiffness · ptosis · dysphagia · myotonia
Recovery from injury/addiction
- ventilationCirculation of fresh air
- immunosuppressantsDrugs reducing body defenses
- corticosteroidsInflammation-suppressing steroid medications
- monitoringOngoing observation of something
Localized cell death
- degenerationProgressive loss of function
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
- histologyStudy of tissue structure
Passed through generations
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
- recessiveMasked unless paired identically
- dominantHaving superior influence
congenital · genes · chromosomes · carrier · pedigree · genotype · phenotype · familial
Motor protein enabling contraction
- actinCellular contractile protein
- voluntaryDone by choice
- striatedMarked with parallel grooves
- contractionReduction in size
musculature · proximal · distal · extraocular · pharyngeal · diaphragm
weakness
Deficiency in force
- atrophyWasting from disuse
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- wastingUsing poorly, inefficiently
hypotonia · contractures · myalgia · cramps · stiffness · ptosis · dysphagia · myotonia
rehabilitation
Recovery from injury/addiction
- ventilationCirculation of fresh air
- immunosuppressantsDrugs reducing body defenses
- corticosteroidsInflammation-suppressing steroid medications
monitoring · multidisciplinary · bracing · stretching · wheelchair
necrosis
Localized cell death
- degenerationProgressive loss of function
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
hereditary
Passed through generations
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
- recessiveMasked unless paired identically
dominant · congenital · genes · chromosomes · carrier · pedigree · genotype · phenotype · familial · predisposition
myosin
Motor protein enabling contraction
contraction · musculature · proximal · distal · extraocular · pharyngeal · diaphragm
polymyositis
Autoimmune muscle-wasting condition