Pathology Terminology

Question 1

Hyperplasia definition

Answer 1

Increased cell number regardless of size

Question 2

Hyperplasia key points (3)

Answer 2

Occurs in response to stimulus
Will regress when stimulus is gone
In some situations it carries a low risk of neoplastic transformation - Autonomous growth

Question 3

Hypertrophy definition

Answer 3

Increase in cell size NOT number

Question 4

Atrophy definition

Answer 4

Loss of size and/or number of cells

Question 5

Atrophy key point

Answer 5

Occurs with hormonal or mechanical stimulus withdrawal

Question 6

Metaplasia definiton

Answer 6

Reversible change from one mature cell type to another

Question 7

Metaplasia key points (2)

Answer 7

In response to sort of injury

Different epithelial types are more suited to certain functions than others

Question 8

Neoplasia definition

Answer 8

Broad term for growth without a stimulus

Question 9

Neoplasia key points

Answer 9

Growth can have no malignant, pre-malignant or malignant potential

Question 10

Benign neoplasia example

Answer 10

Squamous papilloma

Question 11

Squamous dysplasia points (2)

Answer 11

Graded according to severity
Carcinoma in-situ represents severe abnormality - Closest to full blown malignancy (Note: This is still benign as no invasion and metastatic potential)

Question 12

Malignancy definition

Answer 12

Autonomous growth that has invaded beyond its location and has metastatic potential

Question 13

Disease progression (2)

Answer 13

Characterized by local growth

Spreads via haemotogenous or lymphatic routes