muscular dystrophy

noun

, Pathology.

1. a hereditary disease characterized by gradual wasting of the muscles with replacement by scar tissue and fat, sometimes also affecting the heart.

muscular dystrophy

noun

1. a genetic disease characterized by progressive deterioration and wasting of muscle fibres, causing difficulty in walking

muscular dystrophy

/ mŭs′kyə-lərdĭs′trə-fē /

1. Any of a group of inherited progressive muscle disorders caused by a defect in one or more genes that control muscle function and characterized by gradual irreversible wasting of skeletal muscle.

muscular dystrophy

1. A hereditary disease in which the muscles progressively waste away. The disease can be potentially treated through gene therapy .

Word History and Origins

Origin of muscular dystrophy¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Mr Hywood said it was important to raise money to tackle muscular dystrophy, which also affects his brother, who is two years older than him.

From BBC

Boccia is one of three Paralympic-specific sports which has no Olympic counterpart and is for athletes with conditions such as severe cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy that affects all four limbs.

From BBC

Sarah was diagnosed with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, a progressive muscle disease, when she was 16 years old, and lost the ability to walk in her late 30s.

From BBC

Lucy received a diagnosis of muscular dystrophy when she was 16; now in her early 20s, she has been managing the disease long enough to laugh about it with a trace of cynicism.

From New York Times

Sam Bell's son William, 10, has a severe and life-limiting form of muscular dystrophy, which causes respiratory problems and is taking away his ability to walk.

From BBC