What does hypoplasia mean?
Hypoplasia is a technical term for the incomplete or deficient development of an organ, tissue, or other biological structure. The resulting structure is smaller or less developed than expected, and the condition may be identified through imaging, pathology, or developmental assessment. The word is especially common in medical contexts involving the lungs, kidneys, brain, glands, and other tissues. It differs from aplasia, in which development is absent, and from dysplasia, which more generally describes abnormal development. Although “underdevelopment” can provide a broad explanation in general writing, hypoplasia is the more precise term when describing a biological structure that formed only partially. The word is derived from Greek roots meaning “under” and “formation” or “growth.”
nounHypoplasia is the incomplete or reduced development of an organ or tissue, resulting in an undersized structure. It is a medical and biological term, especially used in diagnosis and pathology.
- The incomplete or reduced development of an organ, tissue, or other biological structure, resulting in an undersized or partially formed structure.
"The ultrasound revealed pulmonary hypoplasia in the developing fetus."
"The biopsy was consistent with thymic hypoplasia."
"Cerebral hypoplasia can affect the development of motor and cognitive functions."
The plural is used when referring to multiple cases or instances of the condition, though it is uncommon in general writing.
"The study compared several forms of cerebellar hypoplasias."
Hypoplasia is the medical term for a structure that began to grow but never reached full size.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of hypoplasia
Hypoplasia combines the Greek prefix hypo-, meaning “under” or “less than,” with -plasia, a combining form associated with growth or formation. The suffix derives from Greek plassein, “to form,” and related terms such as plasia, meaning formation or development. The resulting term is used especially in medicine and biology for deficient development of a tissue or organ.
Related word forms
How hypoplasia is actually used
This is a specialist term used chiefly in medicine, embryology, and biology. It is not normally used for ordinary instances of a person or thing being underdeveloped.
Easily confused with hypoplasia
Aplasia is the failure of a tissue or organ to develop at all, whereas hypoplasia means that it develops incompletely or remains undersized.
Dysplasia refers to abnormal development of cells or tissues, while hypoplasia specifically emphasizes deficient growth or underdevelopment.