Cellular Adaptation Flashcards
Cellular Adaptation to Nonlethal Injury
- Alteration in size
- Increase in number
- Change in differentiation
Atrophy
Decrease in size of existing cells
Hypertrophy
Increase in size of existing cells
Hyperplasia
Increase in number
Metaplasia
Change in differentiation
A 42 year old man comes to the clinic with a 1 year history of a burning sensation to the chest and a 6 month history of odynophagia (painful swallowing). He has a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Physical examination shows no abnormalities. Biopsy from upper endoscopy shows metaplastic changes of the esophageal epithelial cells. He is given a diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus. Which of the following processes would more than likely have accounted for the initial cellular response to stress observed in this patient?
Adaptation.
The biopsy sample from the same patient, MJ, was examined at a higher magnification under light microscopy. The cells were noted to have vacuolated cytoplasm. Which of the following cellular responses to injury is most likely being described?
Hydropic degeneration.
Early cellular responses to injury
- Cloudy swelling:
- Hydropic degeneration:
- Fatty change (steatosis):
Cloudy swelling
-Earliest evidence of injury
-Loss of normal staining intensity due to swelling of organelles
Hydropic degeneration
-Continued swelling of organelles
-Vacuoles appear in cytoplasm
-Stains faintly with loss of basophilia
Fatty change
Steatosis
-Accumulation of triglycerides in cytoplasm
-Most common in liver
-Rarely in cardiac & skeletal muscle
-Common causes: Toxins, Alcohol, Chronic hypoxia
A 21 year old girl comes to see her physician for a wellness checkup. She recently joined her high school athletics team about 2 months ago. Physical examination reveals no abnormalities but shows a 2 cm increase in her mid-arm circumference and a 3 cm increase in her mid-thigh circumference. Her laboratory investigations were within normal limits. Which of the following cell adaptations is most likely responsible for her physical examination findings?
Hypertrophy.
Hypertrophy
Increase in the size of cells which can result in increased size of organ: Reversible
No change in cell number
Cause: Increased functional demand & specific hormonal stimulation
Tissues commonly affected by hypertrophy:
1) Cardiac muscle: increased demand, hypertension
2) Skeletal muscle: increased workload, exercise
3) Uterus: Hormonal, pregnancy
A 43-year old man is brought to the emergency department because of extreme fatigue, weight loss, abdominal pain, and darkening of his skin (hyperpigmentation). On physical examination, he has a low blood pressure. Blood tests reveal low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). He is a bodybuilder who has been using steroids for 10 years. The doctor explains to him that his symptoms are due to loss of endocrine stimulation of his adrenal glands which led to reduced adrenal function. Which of the following cellular adaptations is most likely in this patient?
Atrophy.