Definition:
Villous atrophy occurs when the villi -- the microscopic, finger-like tentacles that line the wall of the small intestine -- erode away, leaving a virtually flat surface.
In celiac disease, patients usually have an endoscopy with a biopsy to determine the extent of damage to the small intestine. That damage is rated by the Marsh Score.
A score of Marsh Stage 3 indicates partial to total villous atrophy, while a score of Marsh Stage 4 indicates total villous atrophy plus damage to the intestinal crypts, the depressions in the intestinal lining that surround the villi.
Pronunciation: vill-us aa-tro-fee
