What does hypertrophy indicate?

Hypertrophy refers specifically to the abnormal increase in the size of cells, which often leads to the enlargement of tissues or organs. When discussing hypertrophy in a facial or dermatological context, it often denotes the excessive growth that can occur due to various factors, such as hormonal changes, stress on the tissues, or other pathological conditions.

Normal cell growth, which indicates healthy cellular activity, would not be termed as hypertrophy; rather, it refers to regulated processes of cell division and growth. An increase in normal muscle fibers can be related to hypertrophy, but it is often in the context of physiological responses to training rather than an indication of abnormal growth. Similarly, a reduction in cell size is known as atrophy, not hypertrophy. Therefore, understanding hypertrophy as an abnormal enlargement underscores its implications in medical diagnoses and treatments.