Emaciation

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Emaciation ([ɪmeɪʃiˈeɪʃn], or [ɪmeɪsiˈeɪʃn]) occurs when an animal loses substantial fat tissue, making that animal look extremely skinny. The cause of emaciation is always starvation, which is a lack of nutrients (regardless of what the cause is). The shape of the bones in a severely-emaciated person is distinguishable, and the ribs and spine can be clearly seen, while the arms and legs are not significantly wider than the bones that support them.