Pathology · Multiple Systems · Medium
Metaplasia
Meaning: Reversible change in which one mature cell type is replaced by another better suited to a stressful environment.
In practice: Long-term acid reflux can cause metaplasia of the lower oesophageal lining, known as Barrett's oesophagus.
Word parts
- -plasia means formation or growth
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related pathology words.
Which word means: Tumour of the pancreatic islet cells that secretes too much of the hormone that lowers blood sugar.
Answer: Insulinoma
Which word means: Programmed, orderly cell death in which a cell shrinks and breaks into fragments without triggering inflammation.
Answer: Apoptosis
Words like metaplasia come up in the daily game
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