Hyperplasia vs Hypertrophy, metaplasia, and dysplasia
How to tell Hyperplasia and Hypertrophy, metaplasia, and dysplasia apart when a board question makes them look alike.
Hyperplasia is more cells; hypertrophy is bigger cells; metaplasia is mature cell substitution; dysplasia is premalignant atypical disordered growth.
Side by side
Hyperplasia is increased cell number from proliferation, such as endometrial hyperplasia or BPH, and occurs in tissues capable of division.
Hypertrophy is increased cell size; metaplasia is reversible replacement by another mature cell type; dysplasia is disordered premalignant growth.
Growth-factor or hormonal stimulation pushes cells through the cell cycle, expanding cell number.
Hypertrophy increases protein/organelle content; metaplasia reprograms stem cells; dysplasia accumulates atypia and disordered maturation.
More cells with preserved architecture support hyperplasia.
Larger cells support hypertrophy; mature cell-type switch supports metaplasia; atypia and loss of polarity support dysplasia.
The trap
All can enlarge tissue, but cell number, cell size, cell identity, and atypia separate the adaptations.
The repair move
For cell adaptations, ask whether cells are more numerous, larger, switched in type, or atypical.
Try a free question
CoreA 68-year-old man with chronic urinary frequency, nocturia, and weak stream has digital rectal exam showing smooth enlargement of the prostate. Histology of resected transition-zone prostate tissue shows increased numbers of glandular and stromal cells with preserved normal architecture. Which cellular adaptation is occurring?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Hyperplasia. Hyperplasia is increased NUMBER of cells while preserving normal architecture; benign prostatic hyperplasia is the classic example, driven by dihydrotestosterone in the transition zone of older men.
Why the other choices are tempting
- B. Hypertrophy is increased SIZE of cells (e.g., cardiac myocytes in HTN), not number.
- C. Metaplasia is replacement of one mature cell type with another (Barrett esophagus, squamous metaplasia of bronchial epithelium in smokers).
- D. Dysplasia is disordered growth with cellular atypia, a premalignant change.
- E. Anaplasia is complete loss of differentiation seen in poorly differentiated malignancies.
Flashcards
Tap a card to flip it.
What feature defines hyperplasia rather than hypertrophy?
Hyperplasia is increased cell number in a tissue capable of division, not simply enlarged individual cells.
What feature defines metaplasia rather than dysplasia?
Metaplasia is replacement by another mature cell type, whereas dysplasia adds atypia and disordered maturation.
Quick answers
What is the fastest way to tell Hyperplasia from Hypertrophy, metaplasia, and dysplasia?
Hyperplasia is more cells; hypertrophy is bigger cells; metaplasia is mature cell substitution; dysplasia is premalignant atypical disordered growth.
What is the key clue for Hyperplasia?
Hyperplasia is increased cell number from proliferation, such as endometrial hyperplasia or BPH, and occurs in tissues capable of division.
What is the key clue for Hypertrophy, metaplasia, and dysplasia?
Hypertrophy is increased cell size; metaplasia is reversible replacement by another mature cell type; dysplasia is disordered premalignant growth.
What is the common trap with Hyperplasia vs Hypertrophy, metaplasia, and dysplasia?
All can enlarge tissue, but cell number, cell size, cell identity, and atypia separate the adaptations.