Increase in number of cells is called?

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2021

Explanation

Hyperplasia is defined as an increase in the number of parenchymal cells, which results in the enlargement of an organ or tissue.
This process occurs in cells that are capable of dividing (labile and stable cells).
It can be a normal physiological response, such as the proliferation of breast glandular epithelium during pregnancy (hormonal hyperplasia).
It can also be a pathological response, like endometrial hyperplasia due to excess estrogen or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in older men.

Option B: Hypoplasia refers to a decrease in cell number due to incomplete development, not an increase.
Option C: Metaplasia is a change from one mature cell type to another; it does not primarily involve an increase in the number of cells.
Option D: Dysplasia describes disordered or abnormal cell growth and maturation, not just an increase in cell number. It involves changes in cell size, shape, and organization.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Cellular Adaptations in Pathophysiology as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding hyperplasia is crucial for nurses as it underlies many common conditions. For example, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) can cause urinary obstruction, requiring nurses to monitor urinary output and manage symptoms.
Pathologic hyperplasia, such as endometrial hyperplasia, can increase the risk of cancer. Nurses play a key role in patient education about risk factors, screening (e.g., Pap tests), and follow-up.
What if? - If the question asked about an increase in the size of cells rather than the number, the correct answer would be Hypertrophy. This is seen in tissues with non-dividing cells, like the heart muscle in response to high blood pressure.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question: "Increase in number of cells".
Second, analyze the prefixes of the options. 'Hyper-' means 'over' or 'excessive', 'hypo-' means 'under' or 'deficient', 'meta-' means 'change', and 'dys-' means 'abnormal' or 'bad'.
Third, connect the prefix to the root word '-plasia', which means 'formation' or 'growth'.
Based on this, 'Hyperplasia' (excessive growth/formation) directly matches the definition of an increase in cell number.
Eliminate the other options based on their prefixes: Hypoplasia (under-formation), Metaplasia (change in formation), and Dysplasia (abnormal formation).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 PATHOLOGY QUICK REVIEWBased on Harsh Mohan Textbook of PATHOLOGY p. 24-26

E6 Pathology-Textbook of PATHOLOGYHarsh Mohan Part 1 (1-214) p. 59-61

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