Cellular changes review

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Atrophy

Cellular adaptation characterized by a decrease in cell size.

Hypertrophy

Cellular adaptation characterized by an increase in cell size.

Hyperplasia

Cellular adaptation characterized by an increase in the number of cells.

Metaplasia

Cellular adaptation where one mature, normal cell type changes into another mature, normal cell type.

Dysplasia

Cellular adaptation/growth pattern characterized by abnormal, disorganized cell growth.

Difference between hypertrophy and hyperplasia

Hypertrophy refers to cells getting larger in size, whereas hyperplasia refers to an increase in the total count of cells.

Benign tumor

A noncancerous cell growth that grows slowly, remains localized, and does not spread to distant parts of the body.

Malignant tumor

A cancerous cell growth that invades surrounding tissue and has the ability to spread (metastasize) throughout the body.

Apoptosis

Programmed, controlled cell death used to safely eliminate unwanted, damaged, or aged cells.

Necrosis

Uncontrolled cell death caused by severe external injury, infection, or loss of blood supply.

Hypoxia

Cellular injury resulting from an insufficient supply of oxygen.

Ischemia

Cellular injury caused by reduced or restricted blood flow to tissues.

Effect of nutritional deficits on cells

Cells require essential nutrients to perform basic metabolic functions; a lack of essential nutrients impairs cell function and leads to injury.

Gangrene

Mass tissue death (necrosis) resulting from a severe lack of blood supply and oxygen.

Progression from ischemia to gangrene

Ischemia reduces blood supply, causing hypoxia, which leads to cell injury, necrosis, and eventually widespread tissue death.

Dry gangrene

Form of tissue necrosis caused by severe arterial blood flow restriction without bacterial infection, leading to dry, shriveled, and dark brown or black tissue.

Wet gangrene

Form of tissue necrosis resulting from a bacterial infection and impaired venous drainage, characterized by swelling, foul odor, and rapidly spreading moist tissue decay.

Gaseous gangrene

A severe, life-threatening form of tissue necrosis caused by anaerobic gas-producing bacteria (such as Clostridium species) that release toxins and produce gas bubbles within tissues.

Neoplasia

The autonomous, uncontrolled, and abnormal growth of new tissue that can be either benign or malignant.

Cell injury

A structural or functional disruption in a cell that occurs when it is exposed to stress and can no longer maintain homeostasis.

Cell death

The irreversible cessation of cell structure and function, occurring primarily through programmed or non-programmed pathways.

Chemical cell injury

Cellular damage caused by toxic agents, which may be endogenous (internal toxins like metabolic waste) or exogenous (external toxins like drugs or poisons).

Infectious cell injury

Cellular damage caused by biological pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.

Physical cell injury

Cellular damage resulting from mechanical trauma, temperature extremes, radiation, electricity, or atmospheric pressure changes.

Cellular injury from genetic defects

Cellular dysfunction resulting from gene mutations or chromosomal abnormalities that disrupt protein production or metabolic functions.

Cellular injury from fluid and electrolyte imbalances

Cellular stress caused by abnormal hydration levels or ion concentrations, disrupting cell osmotic pressure and membrane electrical potentials.