pseydohypertrophy

Term: pseydohypertrophy

Literally meaning: “untrue overgrowth”

Origin: Anc Greek

ψευδός/pseydos(=

υπερ-/hyper(=combining form denoting “over”)

+ τροφή/trophe(=food, nourishment )> δρέπω/drepo(=gather))

Coined/History

In 1868 by Duchenne de Boulogne (1806 - 1875) who first described a type of muscular dystrophy based on 13 cases of young males.  He coined the term “pseudohypertrophic” to describe the unusual enlargement of muscles, which were nevertheles abnormal and weak. (V Dubowitz, Postgrad. Med J41, 332,1965).

Definition

Pseydohypertrophy is enlargement in size without true hypertrophy (overgrowth)