HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

Hypertrophy refers to what phenomenon in biology?

1. Decreased size of an organ

2. Enlargement or overgrowth of a part

3. The formation of scar tissue

4. The reduction of muscle mass

The correct answer is: Enlargement or overgrowth of a part

Hypertrophy specifically denotes the enlargement or overgrowth of a part, usually associated with an increase in the size of cells within a tissue or organ. This process is often observed in contexts such as muscle tissue, where increased mechanical load (like weight lifting) prompts muscle cells to enlarge, resulting in a greater overall mass of the muscle. Different biological phenomena describe various changes in size or form, such as atrophy, which involves a decrease in size or wasting away, or fibrosis, which refers to the formation of scar tissue. Additionally, conditions like muscle wasting or reduction of muscle mass pertain to catabolism rather than hypertrophy. Therefore, the correct understanding of hypertrophy relates to the significant growth or increase of an organ or tissue rather than any reduction or different type of growth.