Myopathy primarily affects which part of the muscular system?

Myopathy primarily affects the proximal muscle groups, which include muscles closer to the center of the body, such as those in the shoulders, hips, and thighs. This is in contrast to other muscular conditions that might affect distal muscle groups, particularly in conditions like peripheral neuropathies or certain types of neuropathies where the farthest limbs may be more affected.

Proximal muscle weakness is often characterized by difficulty in activities such as climbing stairs, lifting objects above the head, and raising the arms. This hallmark symptom is tied directly to the pathology of myopathies, which involves the muscles themselves being affected due to intrinsic (muscle-related) disorders, rather than issues that arise from the nervous system or other systemic conditions.

While skeletal muscle is indeed primarily affected in myopathies, the question specifically focuses on the part of the muscular system that is primarily impacted, making proximal muscle groups the more accurate choice. Cardiac muscle, while it can be affected in certain systemic myopathies, is not typically the focus of discussions regarding primary myopathies, which are more commonly associated with skeletal muscle issues.