Muscular dystrophy

Abstract

The word dystrophy comes from the Latin and Greek roots meaning "faulty nutrition". During the 19th century. tools were very limited in diagnosing Muscular Dystrophy. Muscles in many diseases appeared to be wasting away, and the doctors theorised that they somehow weren't being properly nourished. Today, we know that many muscle- wasting diseases are caused by defects in genes for muscle proteins. Most of these proteins appear to play a role in supporting the structure of muscle fibres, although some may play a role in the biochemical process that go on in muscle fibres. The term M.D. refers to a group of genetic diseases marked by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal or voluntary muscles, which control movement. The muscle of the heart. in some forms of M.D., is also affected.