muscular dystrophy

American  

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.

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muscular dystrophy British  

noun

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

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muscular dystrophy Scientific  

/ 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.

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muscular dystrophy Cultural  

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

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Etymology

Origin of muscular dystrophy

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

She works with George Baker, who has congenital muscular dystrophy and says Lauren acts as his "arms and legs in an office" while he runs The Disability Union, an organisation representing thousands of disabled people.

From BBC

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a rare gene disorder that causes muscles in the body to break down over time, primarily affecting young boys.

From Barron's

The group said Khalid has limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, a genetic condition, and was on an "extremely dangerous" thirst strike.

From BBC

The same technology that could cure muscular dystrophy could, in theory, be misused for cosmetic or selective traits.

From The Wall Street Journal

As well as raising money for a home, the family also want to their efforts to help other families in a similar situation, and raise awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

From BBC