CSIM1.4: Neoplasia 1

Question 1

Define atrophy relative to (1) cell and (2) organ

Answer 1

Atrophy of a cell is a decrease in cell size

Atrophy is an adaptive response in response to the body’s reduced demand/need for the particular cell or organ

Atrophy of an organ is the decrease in cell size OR cell number (e.g. by apoptosis)

Question 2

What the are the 2 types of atrophy and give examples

Answer 2

Physiological atrophy:
a. young adult where thymus is no longer needed
b. old age -> in women, reduced sizes of endometrium and breasts due to decrease in reprod. need and in men - testes, decreased sperm production
Pathological atrophy:
a. decreased workload, e.g. leg muscle atrophy and bone atrophy (osteoporosis)
b. loss of innervation -> no contraction -> muscle atrophy
c. hypoxia (reduced oxygen) or impaired nutrition
d. loss of endocrine stimulation e.g. adrenal atrophy due to steroid treatment

Question 3

Define hypertrophy

Answer 3

When cells increase in size

It is an response to increased functional demand or specific hormonal stimulation -> esp in cells which do not divide

can be physiological/pathological

Question 4

Define hyperplasia

Answer 4

When cells increase in number and is a response to increased demand in cells that can divide

OFTEN IN ASSOC. WITH HYPERTROPHY

can be physiological/pathological