HYPERMETAPLASIA Meaning and
Definition
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Hypermetaplasia refers to a condition characterized by the abnormal or excessive growth of mature cells in response to chronic injury or inflammation in a particular tissue or organ. This term is commonly used in the field of pathology to describe a cellular adaptation mechanism, where cells of one type are replaced by cells of another type that are better suited to withstand the ongoing damaging stimuli.
The development of hypermetaplasia begins with the initiation of chronic irritation or injury, which triggers a series of cellular changes in an attempt to replace the damaged cells. This process involves the reprogramming of stem cells or undifferentiated cells into a more functional and resilient cell type. The new cells often possess different morphology and function compared to the original cells, as they are better equipped to handle the persistent stress or irritation present.
Hypermetaplasia can occur in various organs, such as the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal mucosa, bladder, or breast tissue. Common examples include columnar cell metaplasia in the bronchial tubes due to smoking and Barrett's esophagus in response to chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
While hypermetaplasia is generally considered a protective response to chronic injury or inflammation, it can sometimes progress to dysplasia or even into a precancerous lesion. Therefore, it is essential for healthcare professionals to monitor individuals with hypermetaplasia closely to prevent the development of cancer or other complications.
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An excessive or exaggerated metaplasia.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HYPERMETAPLASIA
- hypermetaplasya
- hypermetaplasaa
- hypermetaplasma
- hypermetaplasha
- hypermetaplasii
- hypermetaplasie
- hypermetaplasic
- hypurrmetaplasia
- h ypermetaplasia
- hype rmetaplasia
- hyper metaplasia
- hyperm etaplasia
- hyperme taplasia
- hypermet aplasia
- hypermetapl asia
- hypermetapla sia
- hypermetaplas ia
- hypermetaplasi a
Etymology of HYPERMETAPLASIA
The word "hypermetaplasia" is derived from two Greek components: "hyper" meaning excessive or over, and "metaplasia" which refers to the abnormal transformation of one type of cell into another type of cell.
The term "hypermetaplasia" is often used in medical contexts to describe a condition where there is an excessive or abnormal growth of cells of a particular tissue, resulting in the transformation of cells to a different type.
