Atrophy of fatty tissue

Atrophy of adipose tissue of the body occurs as a part of the generalized atrophy of prolonged undernutrition. Localized atrophy of adipose tissue—lipodystrophy—may be the result of injury to the local area; e.g., repeated insulin injections cause atrophy of fatty tissue at the site of the injections. Progressive lipodystrophy is a disease of unknown cause in which the fatty tissue atrophies only in certain regions of the body. It occurs mainly in women and often begins in childhood. The progressive wasting of adipose tissue affects mainly the face, arms, and trunk. In the affected areas, the specialized fat-holding cells of adipose tissue disappear.

Atrophy of skin

A widespread atrophic change in the skin has been noted as a prominent part of the aging process. Similar atrophic changes in the skin appear to be brought about or enhanced by excessive exposure to sunlight. While a number of abnormal conditions of the skin may include localized atrophic changes in the epidermis or dermis as a part of their lesions, certain generalized diseases of the skin are particularly characterized by such changes. The hardening of the skin known as scleroderma may occur in a localized, or circumscribed, form called morphea or as a more diffuse and severe disease. Advanced stages of scleroderma are characterized by marked atrophy of the tissue and appendages of the true skin. Atrophic thinning of the overlying epidermis also may occur, and the underlying fatty tissue and muscle may atrophy as well. The chronic form of the disease discoid lupus erythematosus also is characterized by atrophy. In advanced stages atrophy occurs particularly in the epidermis in focal areas. The thinned layer of epidermis may be a prominent feature of the microscopic appearance of the skin.

Atrophy of glands

Endocrine glandular tissues may undergo atrophy when an excess of their hormonal product is present as a result of disease. An example is seen in connection with a hormone-producing tumour of the cortical tissue of one adrenal gland, which may be accompanied by marked atrophy of the cortical tissue of the opposite adrenal gland. This probably results from disturbance of the delicate mechanism of hormonal stimulation via the pituitary gland.

Various endocrine organs (thyroid gland, adrenal glands, gonads) depend for their activity on endocrine stimulation by hormones of the pituitary gland. A severe general failure of production of the pituitary hormones results in the widespread endocrine atrophy of Simmonds disease, as has been noted. Lesser degrees of pituitary functional disturbance may disturb a delicate balance, involving mainly one type of stimulating hormone of the pituitary, and may result in selective atrophy of the adrenal cortical tissue or of the gonads.

Glands that release their secretions through a duct (e.g., salivary glands, pancreas) may become atrophic as a result of obstruction of the duct. In the pancreas, a complete obstruction of its duct results in atrophy of the glandular tissue, except for the insulin-producing islets of Langerhans, the secretion of which is absorbed into the bloodstream. Factors of both disuse and increased pressure may be present in the atrophy resulting from obstruction of the outlet channel. Similarly, rapid and complete obstruction of a ureter is followed by atrophy of the corresponding kidney.

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Chemical-induced atrophy

Cases of atrophy resulting from chemical injury are not common. In chronic arsenic poisoning, however, degenerative changes occur in peripheral nerves, resulting in weakness and atrophy in the tissues (usually legs or arms) to which the nerves are distributed. Similar results may follow the peripheral neuropathy of chronic lead poisoning.