Wasting or atrophy of the stomach, causing it to shrink and lose its normal function and tone.
From gastro- (stomach) plus phthisis (from Greek phthisis 'wasting away, consumption'). Combines with the classical medical term for any wasting disease, notably tuberculosis.
Gastrophthisis describes a stomach that's literally wasting away—it's rare today but was recognized historically in advanced starvation, chronic disease, or severe malnutrition when organs deteriorate from lack of nourishment.
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