Hypertrophy is one of the ways that cells grow in order to adapt to changes in their environment. It can be both good and bad. What does hypertrophied mean? This, in the literal sense of the word, has undergone hypertrophy.
Definition of hypertrophy
The term is used to describe one of the ways in which cells (those tiny units that do important work in our bodies) adapt to environmental changes. This may be hormonal stimulation, inflammation or increased workload.
In order for them to remain healthy, the environment in which this biological building material exists must also be healthy, and the work that they must do must remain within normal limits. If significant changes occur in the environment, the cells will try to adapt to the situation in order to be able to continue to work. One of the methods they use is the process of hypertrophy.
Hypertrophic cells
As the cell size grows, some of the tiny intracellular organelles, such as mitochondria, will increase in the amount necessary to maintain the activity of each enlarged unit.
Good or bad?
The increase in size in this case can be both normal and pathological. Good hypertrophy (also called physiological) can happen to many types of cells throughout the body. Certain situations can lead to the fact that the smallest particles and, therefore, the organs and tissues that make up them, can increase in size. How to determine if the hypertrophy is physiological or pathological? This can best be seen with concrete examples.
Physiological hypertrophy
Suppose you want to build biceps in your arms and increase muscle strength. To achieve this, you begin to engage in a special program that includes weight lifting. After a few weeks, your biceps become larger and you become much stronger than before. What happened? Weight lifting caused an increase in muscle load, which stimulated the launch of the process of cellular adaptation. This type of hypertrophy is normal and expected, accompanied by normal structural changes in the muscles and an increase in their strength and functionality.
Physiological hypertrophy can also occur in the heart with an increase in workload. This can be found among athletes who regularly participate in intensive training. In this case, hypertrophy of individual cells leads to an increase in muscle mass, as well as increased cardiac function and increased stamina. It is important to note that physiological hypertrophy is reversible, therefore, when the exercises become less intense or stop, the hypertrophied (this in our case is enlarged) organ returns to its normal (initial) size.
Pathological hypertrophy
Which organ is hypertrophied? This is the part of the body that has been subjected to hypertrophy. Its abnormal type is also called pathological. It can occur for a number of reasons. A common example is pathological hypertrophy, which occurs when a person has chronically high blood pressure (hypertension). An increase in the size of one of the ventricles of the heart, in this case, is necessary in order to better cope with the pumping of blood.
True and false hypertrophy
Hypertrophied - this is translated from Greek (hyper - "excess, too, through" and trophy - "nutrition, food, food") means increased in volume. These may be cells, tissues, organs that begin to grow under the influence of various factors.
Distinguish between true and false hypertrophy. The first is characterized by increased development of adipose tissue, the second is based on an increase in working muscles in people who are actively involved in sports or any other physical labor.
Meaning of the word: hypertrophied
This, in the direct meaning of the word, is increased in volume (due to illness, physical exertion). In a figurative sense, this word means the excessiveness of something. So, a hypertrophied feeling is an exaggerated (embellished) feeling. The same can be said about qualities, properties and the like. For example, a hypertrophied instinct of self-preservation is associated with an increased, unjustified fear for one’s life, etc.