More Terminology

Question 1

What is this describing?

Reduction in size of a tissue or organ due to a reduction in cell number (apoptosis) and/or reduction in cell size.

Answer 1

Atrophy

Question 2

What is this describing?

Increase in the size of cells.

Answer 2

Hypertrophy

Question 3

What is this describing?

Increase in the number of cells.

Answer 3

Hyperplasia

Question 4

What is this describing?

One mature cell type is replaced by another.

Answer 4

Metaplasia

Question 5

Where and why does metaplasia arise?

Answer 5

1. Almost exclusively in epithelial cells

2. In response to chronic injury

Question 6

What does columnar (glandular) epithelium of the cervix change to in metaplasia and what stimulates it?

Answer 6

1. Squamous epithelium

2. Acid environment of the vagina

Question 7

What does columnar (glandular) epithelium of the bronchial tree change to in metaplasia and what stimulates it?

Answer 7

1. Squamous epithelium

2. Cigarette smoke

Question 8

What does the squamous epithelium of the oesophagus change to in metaplasia and what stimulates it?

Answer 8

1. Columnar (glandular) epithelium

2. Gastric acid