What is the medical term for tissues that shrink or waste away?

The medical term for tissues that shrink or waste away is atrophy. This process occurs in response to various factors, including disuse, aging, or lack of adequate nutrients and blood supply. When tissues or organs are not used or are subjected to stress, they can lose mass and functional capacity, which is characterized by atrophy. This condition can affect muscles, organs, and other tissue types, leading to a decrease in size and functionality.

Hypertrophy refers to the increase in the size of an organ or tissue, often due to an increase in the size of its cells, rather than a decrease. Contracture is a condition where muscles or tendons shorten, affecting movement but not necessarily indicating a loss of tissue mass. Laceration refers to a type of injury involving the tearing of tissue, which is not related to shrinkage or atrophy. Thus, atrophy is the correct term to describe the process of tissue shrinkage.