Patho Exam paper 1 - Pathophysiology Q & A

Atrophy - Answer-Decrease in size of cells, resulting in reduced tissue mass Causes: Reduced tissue use, insufficient nutrition, decreased neurologic/hormonal stimulation, aging Hypertrophy - Answer-Increase in size of cells, resulting in enlarged tissue mass Causes: Additional tissue use (exercise), excessive hormonal stimulation Hyperplasia - Answer-Increased number of cells resulting in an enlarged tissue mass, can be compensatory mechanism Causes: Increased demands, hormonal imbalance Metaplasia - Answer-One mature cell type is replaced by a different mature cell type, can be an adaptive mechanism to provide more resistant tissue Causes: Vitamin A deficit, smoking, anytime more resistant tissue is needed Dysplasia - Answer-Cells vary in size and shape, large nuclei are frequently present, rate of mitosis is increased. Could be precanerous. Causes: Chronic irritation or infection Anaplasia - Answer-Cells that are undifferentiated with variable nuclear and cell structures and numerous mitotic figures. Loss of structural and functional differentiation. Causes: Cancer, genetic mutation