Pathology - Hyperplasia, Hypertrophy and Atrophy Flashcards
What is the main cause of hypertrophy?
Mechanical stress
What is hypertrophy?
An increase in cell size
What are some main examples where hypertrophy would occur?
Skeletal muscles and cardiac myocytes (someone who is hypertensive will have a bigger heart)
What is hyperplasia?
An increase in cell number
What is an example of hyperplasia?
Breast tissue at puberty
How is hyperplasia induced?
Hormonally
What is compensatory hyperplasia?
Occurs after loss of tissue eg. in the liver/ bone marrow
What is atrophy?
A decrease in cell size
What is the main cause of atrophy?
Inactivity (broken leg)
Vast list of some atrophy causes…
Loss of innervation (nerve supply), loss of function, blocked blood supply, loss of hormonal stimulation (menopause), bad nutrition, ageing and pressure (endo/exogenous)
