What is "myopathy"

Myopathy \My*op"a*thy\, n. Same as Myopathia.

n. (context medicine English) Any of several diseases of muscle that are not caused by nerve disorders

n. any pathology of the muscles that is not attributable to nerve dysfunction

Myopathy is a muscular disease in which the muscle fibers do not function for any one of many reasons, resulting in muscular weakness. "Myopathy" simply means muscle disease (myo- Greek μυο "muscle" + pathos -pathy Greek "suffering"). This meaning implies that the primary defect is within the muscle, as opposed to the nerves (" neuropathies" or " neurogenic" disorders) or elsewhere (e.g., the brain etc.). Muscle cramps, stiffness, and spasm can also be associated with myopathy.

Capture Myopathy, or Shock Disease, is a little-studied condition observed in wild animals such as hares and birds that have been captured or handled. The condition is usually lethal and stress has been identified as the single most determining factor, exacerbated by muscle exertion.

Muscular disease can be classified as neuromuscular or musculoskeletal in nature. Some conditions, such as myositis, can be considered both neuromuscular and musculoskeletal.