hyperplasia
/'haipə:'pleiziə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- Abnormal increase in number of cells: A condition characterized by the enlargement of an organ or tissue caused by an increase in the reproduction rate of its cells. This is a biological and medical term for excessive cell proliferation.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common condition in older men.
- The biopsy revealed endometrial hyperplasia, which required further monitoring.
- The doctor explained that the thickening was due to hyperplasia, not a tumor.
Advanced Usage
- Compensatory hyperplasia: An increase in cell number in response to damage or loss in another part of an organ or tissue.
- After a partial liver resection, the remaining tissue undergoes compensatory hyperplasia.
- Pathologic hyperplasia: Abnormal cell proliferation that occurs due to excessive hormonal or growth factor stimulation.
- The endometrial lining showed signs of pathologic hyperplasia, a risk factor for cancer.
Variants and Related Words
- Hyperplastic (adj): Of or relating to hyperplasia.
- The tissue had a hyperplastic appearance under the microscope.
- Hyperplasias (n, plural): The plural form of hyperplasia, referring to multiple instances or types of the condition.
- The study compared different hyperplasias of the breast tissue.
Synonyms
- Cell proliferation: The process of cells dividing and increasing in number (a more general, often neutral term, whereas "hyperplasia" implies an abnormal or excessive increase).
- Neoplasia: The new and abnormal growth of tissue, which can be benign or malignant (a related but distinct concept, as neoplasia involves uncontrolled growth that may form a mass).
Notes on Meaning
- Medical vs. General Use: This term is almost exclusively used in medical, biological, and pathological contexts. It is not used in everyday conversation.
- Distinction from Hypertrophy: It is crucial to distinguish hyperplasia (increase in cell ) from hypertrophy (increase in cell ). Both can cause an organ to enlarge.
Noun
- abnormal increase in number of cells