The term trophic is from Ancient Greekτροφικός (trophikós) meaning "pertaining to food or nourishment", here used to mean "growth"; this is the same origin as atrophy. This should not be confused with tropic, as in the similar-sounding tropic hormone – the words and concepts are both unrelated.
The term trophic originates from Ancient Greek τροφικός (trophikós), meaning "pertaining to food or nourishment," and it relates to growth. This etymology is similar to atrophy but distinct from tropic, which refers to a hormone.