Pedraza, Kervy B.

BSMT 3rd Year

Key Terminologies:

1. Hypertrophy- it is the increase in size of the cells; increased amounts of

structural proteins and organelles resulting also in increase of size ng organ
involved; NO NEW CELLS ARE FORMED.
2. Atrophy- it is the shrinkage of the cell thru the loss of substance of cell and could
affect the entire organs. Cells do not die in atrophy, decreased size only.
3. Dystrophy- it is tissue degeneration such as that caused by diseases of nutrition
or metabolism.
4. Agenesia- it is the non-appearance of an organ.
5. Aplasia- Incomplete/defective development of organ/tissue.
6. Hypoplasia- it is the is the incomplete development or underdevelopment of an
organ or tissue.
7. Hyperplasia- it is the increase in cell number because of proliferation of
differentiated cells and replacement of tissue stem cells. Those who have DNA
like our blood cells and other connective tissues are capable of replication.
8. Dysplasia- Alteration in cell growth resulting in cells that differ in size, shape,
and appearance (ex. anisocytosis, poikilocytosis)
9. Atresia- Failure of an organ to form an opening; a body orifice or passageway is
closed or absent.
10. Necrosis- Happens when the damage to membranes is severe, enzymes leak
out of lysosomes, enter the cytoplasm, and digest the entire cells.
11. Apoptosis- Programmed cell death; therefore, it is monitored and controlled by
our system.
12. Karyolysis- it is the complete dissolution of the chromatin due to enzymatic
degradation by endonucleases. Nuclear fading.
13. Karyorrhexis- it is the fragmentation of the nucleus.
14. Pyknosis- it is the irreversible condensation of chromatin in the nucleus resulting
to nuclear shrinkage.
15. Autolysis- it is the enzymatic digestion of cells by the action of its own enzymes,
and it mostly occurs in dying or dead cells.