What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dystrophy
Example
Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness. [dystrophy: noun]
Example
The patient's dystrophic condition caused severe muscle atrophy. [dystrophic: adjective]
atrophy
Example
The patient's leg muscles had atrophied due to lack of use. [atrophied: past participle]
Example
The disease caused the atrophy of the brain's frontal lobes. [atrophy: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Atrophy is more commonly used than dystrophy in everyday language. Atrophy is a broader term that can be used to describe various conditions, while dystrophy is more specific and less common.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dystrophy and atrophy?
Both dystrophy and atrophy are formal medical terms that are typically used in technical or scientific contexts.
