What does hypertrophy mean?
Hypertrophy is the enlargement of a cell, organ, or other tissue beyond its usual size. It differs from hyperplasia, which involves an increase in the number of cells. In medicine, hypertrophy most often refers to an abnormal enlargement of the heart, such as left ventricular hypertrophy caused by long-standing high blood pressure. In physiology and sport, it commonly describes the growth of muscle tissue in response to resistance training, when muscle fibers increase in size and the muscles become larger and stronger. The word can also be used more generally for excessive enlargement or overdevelopment. It is related to atrophy, which denotes wasting or reduction in size, and both terms ultimately derive from Greek roots concerning growth or nourishment.
The abnormal or excessive enlargement of an organ, tissue, or body part, especially the heart.
"The scan revealed mild hypertrophy of the left ventricle."
In medical contexts, it generally indicates enlargement that may reflect an underlying condition.
To enlarge excessively, especially as a result of increased cell size or stimulation.
"The muscle gradually hypertrophied in response to repeated training."
This is much less common than the noun and is mainly used in technical or descriptive contexts.
The plural is occasionally used for separate instances or types of enlargement, but the word is normally used as an uncountable mass noun.
"The study compared different forms of cardiac hypertrophies in older patients."
Your muscles can grow through exercise because training makes their fibers larger, not simply more numerous: a process called hypertrophy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hypertrophy come from?
Hypertrophy comes from Greek hyper-, meaning 'over' or 'excessive,' and tropheia or tropē, meaning 'nourishment' or 'growth.' The term was used in medical writing in the 19th century for abnormal enlargement of an organ or tissue. Its conceptual opposite, atrophy, is also based on the same Greek root and was formed with the prefix a-, meaning 'without' or 'lacking.' Related English words include trophic, trophism, and trophy, all of which reflect the same ancient root associated with nourishment, growth, or turning.
Related word forms
How hypertrophy is actually used
In medicine, the term is often used for pathological enlargement, especially of the heart. In exercise physiology, it usually describes the increase in muscle-fiber size that accompanies strength training. The related verb is comparatively uncommon in general use.
Easily confused with hypertrophy
Hypertrophy is an increase in the size of existing cells or tissues, whereas hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells.
Edema refers to the accumulation of fluid that causes swelling, while hypertrophy is the enlargement of tissue from increased cell or tissue size.