Hypertrophy is the increase in the volume of an organ or tissue due to the enlargement of its component Cell (biology), cells.
It is distinguished from hyperplasia, in which the cells remain approximately the same size but increase in number.
[Updated by Linda J. Vorvick. 8/14/1]
Hyperplasia
/ref> Although hypertrophy and hyperplasia are two distinct processes, they frequently occur together, such as in the case of the hormone, hormonally-induced proliferation and enlargement of the cells of the uterus during pregnancy.
Eccentric hypertrophy is a type of hypertrophy where the walls and chamber of a hollow organ undergo growth in which the overall size and volume are enlarged. It is applied especially to the left ventricle of heart.
Gallery
File:*+ * Photographic documentation on sexual education - Hypertrophy of breast - Nude of an elderly woman around 1870 - Photographer unknown - Public domain, since the copyright has expired;.jpg, Hypertrophy of breast, c. 1870
File:Hypertrophied clitoris.jpg, Hypertrophy of the clitoris
File:Feet from a case of partial hypertrophy of the foot Wellcome L0061374.jpg, Hypertrophy of the foot, partial
File:Ipertrofia miocardica.jpg, Forensic post-mortem examination of a case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, showing thickening of the cardiac muscle
File:Head of a boy with hypertrophy of the ear Wellcome L0062496.jpg, Hypertrophy of the ear (macrotia)
File:Kidney hypertrophy Wellcome L0005308.jpg, Kidney hypertrophy
File:Lip hypertrophy.jpg, Hypertrophy of the upper lip
File:Face of man with hypertrophy of the temporal muscles Wellcome L0062508.jpg, Hypertrophy of the Temporalis muscle, temporal muscles
See also
* Athlete's heart
* Ventricular hypertrophy (including left ventricular hypertrophy and right ventricular hypertrophy)
* Muscle hypertrophy
* List of biological development disorders
References
External links
University of California Muscle Physiology Home Page: Hypertrophy
{{Pathology
Muscular system
Tissues (biology)
Exercise physiology
Physical exercise
Anatomical pathology
