Hypertrophy is the increase in the volume of an organ or tissue due to the enlargement of its component
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 hormonally-induced proliferation and enlargement of the cells of the uterus
The uterus (from Latin ''uterus'', plural ''uteri'') or womb () is the organ in the reproductive system of most female mammals, including humans that accommodates the embryonic and fetal development of one or more embryos until birth. The ...
during pregnancy
Pregnancy is the time during which one or more offspring develops ( gestates) inside a woman's uterus (womb). A multiple pregnancy involves more than one offspring, such as with twins.
Pregnancy usually occurs by sexual intercourse, but ...
.
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.hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM, or HOCM when obstructive) is a condition in which the heart becomes thickened without an obvious cause. The parts of the heart most commonly affected are the interventricular septum and the ventricles. This r ...
, a type of concentric hypertrophy, where sarcomeres are added in parallel).
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
The breast is one of two prominences located on the upper ventral region of a primate's torso. Both females and males develop breasts from the same embryological tissues.
In females, it serves as the mammary gland, which produces and s ...
, c. 1870
File:Hypertrophied clitoris.jpg, Hypertrophy of the clitoris
The clitoris ( or ) is a female sex organ present in mammals, ostriches and a limited number of other animals. In humans, the visible portion – the glans – is at the front junction of the labia minora (inner lips), above the o ...
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
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM, or HOCM when obstructive) is a condition in which the heart becomes thickened without an obvious cause. The parts of the heart most commonly affected are the interventricular septum and the ventricles. This r ...
, 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 temporal muscles
In anatomy, the temporalis muscle, also known as the temporal muscle, is one of the muscles of mastication (chewing). It is a broad, fan-shaped convergent muscle on each side of the head that fills the temporal fossa, superior to the zygomatic ...
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