What does metaplasia mean?
Metaplasia is the replacement of one mature, differentiated cell or tissue type with another. For example, intestinal metaplasia occurs when cells lining the oesophagus adopt characteristics normally associated with intestinal cells, often following chronic irritation. Some metaplastic changes can be adaptive, while others are associated with disease and may increase the risk of cancer, although metaplasia is not itself cancer. The term is mainly used in medicine, pathology, and biology, and it is more precise than a general word such as transformation because it specifically concerns a change in cellular or tissue identity. A closely related medical term, dysplasia, instead refers to abnormal cell growth or organisation that does not necessarily involve conversion into a different mature tissue type. Metaplasia is consequently important in studying chronic irritation, precancerous changes, and the way tissues respond to altered environments.
nounThe replacement of one differentiated cell or tissue type with another differentiated type. It may occur as an adaptive response to altered conditions or as part of a disease process.
- The replacement of one differentiated cell or tissue type with another differentiated type, especially in a biological or pathological context.
"Chronic irritation can lead to intestinal metaplasia, in which cells in the oesophagus adopt an intestinal type."
"Biopsy confirmed gastric metaplasia in the affected tissue."
"Researchers are investigating how dietary changes influence metaplasia in the oesophagus."
The plural is metaplasias, although the word is normally used in the singular in clinical writing.
"Several forms of metaplasia can be distinguished by the tissue types involved."
Metaplasia is cellular identity switching: one mature tissue type takes on the characteristics of another.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does metaplasia come from?
Metaplasia entered English from New Latin, based on Greek roots associated with change and moulding or formation. The combining element meta- and the Greek verb plassein, meaning to mould or form, are also the source of related words such as plastic and plasma. The medical sense developed from the broader idea of one form or type being changed into another.
Related word forms
How metaplasia is actually used
This is primarily a medical and biological term. It is normally used in specialist writing and should not be used as a general synonym for any kind of change or transformation.
Easily confused with metaplasia
Metaplasia is a change in the cellular or tissue type of an existing structure, whereas metamorphosis is a broader transformation in form or development.
Metaplasia describes the conversion of one mature tissue type into another, whereas neoplasia is the abnormal growth of cells that may form a tumour.