hypertrophy

plural hypertrophies

1. countablemedicineAn increase in the size of an organ or tissue due to the enlargement of its individual cells.

   Ectopic chondrocyte hypertrophy has been demonstrated in OA, suggesting that the pathogenetical process involves a recapitulation of endochondral ossification [ 11 – 13 ].

   2010 January 29, Anita Woods et al., “Control of chondrocyte gene expression by actin dynamics: a novel role of cholesterol/Ror-α signalling in endochondral bone growth”, in Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, volume 13, →DOI

   Antonyms: atrophy, hypotrophy, hyperplasia

   1. uncountablebodybuildingIncrease in muscle size through increased size of individual muscle cells; a result of weightlifting, and other exercise. It differs from muscle hyperplasia, which is the formation of new muscle cells.

      Antonyms: atrophy, hypotrophy, hyperplasia

present singular third person hypertrophies · participle present hypertrophying · participle past hypertrophied · past hypertrophied

1. intransitiveOf a tissue or organ, to increase in size.

   Antonyms: atrophy

2. broadlyTo enlarge or extend.

   Like a well-exercised muscle, 'network' has hypertrophied into a master concept.

   2020, Merlin Sheldrake, Entangled Life, page 76

   1 more example

   But when text hypertrophies into a riot of contending inscripturations, we lose too much of what matters most in writing.

   2020 January 29, Douglas Groothuis, “Texts, Graphics, and Culture: On the Decline of Reading and Civilization”, in Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D.: Christian Philosopher and Apologist, archived from the original on 27 Jan 2023

   Antonyms: atrophy