Abstract
The causes of atrophy have been subdivided broadly into the following groups:-
1. Ischaemic atrophy.
2. Atrophy resulting from denervation, including lesions of the lower motor neurone.
3. Disuse atrophy, including lesions of the upper motor neurone.
4. The muscular dystrophies.
5. Miscellaneous localised muscular atrophies.
The histological appearances of these specimens are compared and correlated with those of previously reported cases. The specificity of the histological lesions in different types of muscular atrophy is considered, and the value and limitations of muscle biopsy discussed.