hyperplasia

American  

[hahy-per-pley-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh] / ˌhaɪ pərˈpleɪ ʒə, -ʒi ə, -zi ə /

noun

Pathology, Biology.

1. abnormal multiplication of cells.

2. enlargement of a part due to an abnormal numerical increase of its cells.

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hyperplasia British  

/ ˌhaɪpəˈplæzɪə, ˌhaɪpəˈplæstɪk /

noun

1. enlargement of a bodily organ or part resulting from an increase in the total number of cells Compare hypertrophy

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Other Word Forms

• hyperplastic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of hyperplasia

First recorded in 1860–65; hyper- + -plasia

Example Sentences

Crinetics primarily develops products to treat endocrine disorders, including acromegaly, a rare hormonal disorder caused by the overproduction of growth hormone, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a condition that affects the adrenal glands.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 6, 2026

Neurocrine already markets Crenessity, an oral CRF1 receptor antagonist used to treat congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which is a collection of genetic disorders affecting the adrenal glands.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

These vessels were encased by CGRP+ sensory nerve fibers and were growing towards the lining fibroblasts in areas of excessive tissue growth, or hyperplasia.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2024

An enlarged prostate, known also as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is a noncancerous condition that occurs frequently among older men.

From New York Times • Jan. 17, 2024

If no positive evidence of the disease exists, by means of careful exploration of sinuses with the probe, one may distinguish between true cartilaginous quittor and superficial abscess formation that is often accompanied by hyperplasia.

From Lameness of the Horse Veterinary Practitioners' Series, No. 1 by Lacroix, John Victor