What term describes an increase in cell size?

Hypertrophy is the term that specifically refers to an increase in the size of cells, which often leads to an enlargement of the tissue or organ in which these cells reside. This process typically occurs as an adaptive response to increased workload or stress, such as in muscle cells after resistance training, where muscle fibers enlarge to meet the demands of greater physical activity.

In contrast, hyperplasia refers to an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ, leading to growth. Dysplasia is characterized by abnormal cell growth and differentiation, often indicating early signs of neoplastic changes. Atrophy describes a decrease in cell size, resulting in a reduction of tissue mass. These distinctions are crucial in understanding how different conditions may affect cellular characteristics and tissue response.