emaciation emaciation emaciation is defined as the state of extreme thinness from absence of body fat and muscle wasting usually resulting from malnutrition. emaciationphoto from 1972 of an emaciated child in india with marasmuspronunciation/ɪˌmeɪʃiːˈeɪʃən/, /ɪˌmeɪsiːˈeɪʃən/ characteristics emaciation manifests physically as thin limbs, pronounced and protruding bones, sunken eyes, dry skin, thinning hair, a bloated stomach, and a dry or coated tongue in humans. emaciation is often accompanied by halitosis, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, anemia, improper function of lymph and the lymphatic system, and pleurisy and edema. causes an emaciated holocaust survivor drinking from a metal bowl in front of barracks at buchenwald concentration camp (april 11, 1945 - june 1945). buchenwald inmates, 16 april 1945 when the camp was liberated.