Here's a breakdown of the key aspects:
* Enlargement: The tissue or organ gets bigger in size.
* Overgrowth: It's an increase in the volume of the tissue or organ, going beyond its normal size.
* Increase in cell size: The individual cells within the tissue or organ become larger, rather than an increase in the number of cells (which is called hyperplasia).
Examples of Hypertrophy:
* Muscle hypertrophy: When you lift weights, your muscles experience hypertrophy, meaning the individual muscle fibers within your muscles get bigger and stronger.
* Cardiac hypertrophy: When the heart muscle enlarges, often due to high blood pressure or other conditions, this is called cardiac hypertrophy.
* Thyroid hypertrophy: This is an enlargement of the thyroid gland, sometimes caused by conditions like Graves' disease.
Key Points:
* Hypertrophy is a physiological process that can occur naturally or as a result of disease or injury.
* It's distinct from hyperplasia, which is an increase in the number of cells within a tissue or organ.
* It's also important to note that hypertrophy can be adaptive, meaning it helps the body cope with increased demands.
If you have any further questions about hypertrophy or related terms, feel free to ask!