hüperplaasia

Hyperplasia is a medical term referring to the enlargement of an organ or tissue caused by an increase in the reproduction rate of its cells, leading to an increase in the number of cells. This is a physiological response to a specific stimulus, and it is generally considered a reversible process. Unlike hypertrophy, which is an increase in the size of individual cells, hyperplasia involves an increase in the *number* of cells. This can occur in tissues composed of cells that are capable of dividing, such as epithelial or glandular tissues.

Common examples of hyperplasia include the normal enlargement of the uterus during pregnancy due to hormonal stimulation and the enlargement of the breasts during puberty and menstruation. In response to increased demand, the cells in these tissues proliferate. Another example is the thickening of the skin in response to repeated friction, a process known as callus formation. Pathological hyperplasia can also occur, often as a response to abnormal hormonal stimulation or chronic irritation. For instance, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in older men where the prostate gland enlarges. While hyperplasia itself is a benign process, persistent hyperplasia can sometimes be a precursor to more serious conditions, such as cancer, depending on the underlying cause and the specific tissue involved. Diagnosis typically involves medical history, physical examination, and sometimes imaging studies or biopsies to assess the cellular changes.