Cardiac Muscle Hypertrophy and Cellular Adaptation

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions, causes, types, and outcomes of hypertrophy in cardiac and renal tissues based on the lecture notes.

Hypertrophy

A compensatory increase in the size of cells occurring in response to mechanical load or stress, resulting in an increased size of the affected organ.

Triggers of Hypertrophy

Mechanisms that prompt cellular enlargement, specifically repetitive stretching, chronic pressure, and volume overload.

Physiologic Hypertrophy

Hypertrophy resulting from increased demand, stimulation by hormones, and growth factors (e.g., runner's heart from aerobic exercise), in which normal structure, function, and myocardial matrix are preserved.

Pathologic Hypertrophy

Hypertrophy resulting from chronic hemodynamic overload (e.g., hypertension or heart valve dysfunction), associated with increased interstitial fibrosis, cell death, contractile dysfunction, abnormal cardiac function, and eventually heart failure.

Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH)

Hypertrophy of the cardiac muscle involving an increased synthesis of cardiac muscle proteins, allowing muscle fibers to do more work; can be physiologic or pathologic.

Unilateral Nephrectomy Compensatory Hypertrophy

Compensatory enlargement occurring in the remaining kidney following the removal of one kidney, which acts to preserve renal structure and function.