The correct spelling of the medical term "excentric hypertrophy" is actually "eccentric hypertrophy". The word "eccentric" is spelled with two c's, not one. The correct pronunciation of the word is /ɪkˈsɛntrɪk haɪˈtroʊfi/, with the emphasis on the second syllable of "hypertrophy". Eccentric hypertrophy is a type of heart enlargement that occurs when the heart muscle thickens and dilates in response to increased pressure or volume overload. It is commonly seen in athletes and individuals with high blood pressure or heart disease.
Eccentric hypertrophy is a term used in the field of cardiovascular physiology and medicine to describe a specific type of myocardial (heart muscle) adaptation to increased workload or stress. It refers to the enlargement of the heart's chambers, particularly the ventricles, in response to increased volume overload.
In eccentric hypertrophy, the cardiac muscle fibers grow and elongate, resulting in an overall increase in the size of the heart. This process is a physiological response to various conditions like chronic hypertension, valvular regurgitation, or conditions that cause increased blood volume, such as pregnancy or endurance exercise.
The expansion of the heart's chambers in eccentric hypertrophy allows them to accommodate a larger blood volume, which helps maintain stroke volume and cardiac output. This compensatory mechanism aims to reduce the workload on the heart by increasing its capacity to pump blood.
Although eccentric hypertrophy initially serves as an adaptive response to volume overload, prolonged or severe forms of this hypertrophy can lead to negative consequences. These may include decreased contractility, impaired diastolic function, and increased risk of arrhythmias. Therefore, regular monitoring and management of the underlying cause of eccentric hypertrophy are crucial to prevent or treat potential complications.
In summary, eccentric hypertrophy is a form of cardiac enlargement characterized by an increase in the size of the heart's chambers, primarily the ventricles, in response to increased volume overload. It is a compensatory mechanism aimed at maintaining cardiac function, but its long-term effects and clinical implications require careful consideration.
Thickening of the wall of the heart or other cavity, with dilatation.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "excentric hypertrophy" consists of two main parts: "excentric" and "hypertrophy".
1. "Excentric": The word "excentric" is derived from the Latin word "excentricus", which combines "ex", meaning "out of", and "centrum", meaning "center". It originally referred to something or someone situated away from the center or deviating from the norm. In the context of physiology, "excentric" refers to a type of muscle contraction where the muscle fibers lengthen while generating force. This type of contraction occurs when a muscle is stretched or when resisting an external force.
2. "Hypertrophy": The term "hypertrophy" comes from the Greek words "hyper", meaning "over", and "trophe", meaning "growth".