muscular dystrophy
noun Pathology.
a hereditary disease characterized by gradual wasting of the muscles with replacement by scar tissue and fat, sometimes also affecting the heart.
Origin of muscular dystrophy
First recorded in 1865–70
Words nearby muscular dystrophy
muscovy,
muscovy duck,
muscular,
muscular anesthesia,
muscular asthenopia,
muscular dystrophy,
muscular layer of mucosa,
muscular relaxant,
muscular system,
muscular triangle,
muscularis
British Dictionary definitions for muscular dystrophy
muscular dystrophy
noun
a genetic disease characterized by progressive deterioration and wasting of muscle fibres, causing difficulty in walking
Medical definitions for muscular dystrophy
muscular dystrophy
n.
Any of a group of 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.
myodystrophy
Pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy.
Scientific definitions for muscular dystrophy
muscular dystrophy
[ mŭs′kyə-lər dĭs′trə-fē ]
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.
Cultural definitions for muscular dystrophy
muscular dystrophy
[ (dis-truh-fee) ]
A hereditary disease in which the muscles progressively waste away. The disease can be potentially treated through gene therapy.