Atrophic inflammation refers to a type of inflammation that leads to the loss and wasting away of tissues. However, there are other terms that can be used interchangeably with atrophic inflammation such as progressive tissue degeneration, tissue wasting, tissue decay, and tissue destruction. These terms depict the gradual breakdown or shrinking of tissues in the affected area. Conditions such as osteoporosis, muscle atrophy, and age-related macular degeneration are examples of atrophic inflammation. It is important to understand the synonyms of such medical terms to aid in diagnosis, treatment and management of ailments associated with atrophic inflammation.