degeneration - Hutchinson encyclopedia article about degeneration Printer Friendly
The Free Dictionary
988,593,435 visitors served.
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

degeneration

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.06 sec.

degeneration

In biology, a change in the structure or chemical composition of a tissue or organ that interferes with its normal functioning. Examples of degeneration include fatty degeneration, fibroid degeneration (cirrhosis), and calcareous degeneration, all of which are part of natural changes that occur in old age.

The causes of degeneration are often unknown. Heredity often has a role in the degeneration of organs; for example, fibroid changes in the kidney can be seen in successive generations. Defective nutrition and continued stress on particular organs can cause degenerative changes. Alcoholism can result in cirrhosis of the liver and tuberculosis causes degeneration of the lungs.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
 Email
Feedback
?Sign in SSL protected
Email:
Password:
Register

? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
--And we always suspect degeneration when the bestowing soul is lacking.
Thus Spake Zarathustra: A Book For All And None by Nietzsche, Friedrich View in context
I sip it with a delicious thrill of degeneration, as though I were Eve tasting the apple for the first time,--for "such a power hath white simplicity.
The Quest of the Golden Girl by le Gallienne, Richard View in context
Drinking is one form of the many forms of degeneration that set in when white men are exposed too long to too much white light.
John Barleycorn by London, Jack View in context
More results
 
Hutchinson browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Hutchinson Encyclopedia
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2008 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.