brown atrophy


brown at·ro·phy

atrophy of the heart wall, especially in the elderly, in which the muscle is dark reddish brown and reduced in volume; the muscle fibers become pigmented especially about the nuclei, by lipochrome granules.

brown atrophy

A brownish tissue discolouration caused by lipofuscin (“ageing” pigment) deposition in certain organs—e.g., heart, liver, and others—which may occur in older individuals. Organs affected by brown atrophy are small and flabby.

brown atrophy

Atrophic tissue that is yellowish-brown rather than its normal color. It is seen principally in the heart and liver of the aged. The pigmentation is due to the presence of lipofuscin, the “wear and tear” pigment that may be associated with aging. Its presence in tissue is a sign of injury from free radicals. See: lipofuscin; free radicalSee also: atrophy