hypertrophy

hy·per·tro·phy  (h-pûrtr-f)

n. pl. hy·per·tro·phies

A nontumorous enlargement of an organ or a tissue as a result of an increase in the size rather than the number of constituent cells: muscle hypertrophy.

intr. & tr.v. hy·per·tro·phied, hy·per·tro·phy·ing, hy·per·tro·phies

To grow or cause to grow abnormally large.

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hyper·trophic (-trfk, -trfk) adj.

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hypertrophy [hie-per-trof-fee]

Noun

pl -phies enlargement of an organ or part resulting from an increase in the size of the cells [Greek huper over + trophē nourishment]

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hypertrophy

excessive growth of one part of a plant to the disadvantage or detriment of the plant as a whole. See also body, human; size. — hypertrophic, hypertrophical, hypertrophous, adj.

See also: Plants

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excessive growth of tissue or of an organ, independent of and out of proportion to the rest of the body. Cf. hypoplasia. — hypertrophic, hypertrophical, hypertrophous, adj.

See also: Body, Human

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excessive growth of tissue or of an organ, independent of and out of proportion to the rest of the body. Cf. hypoplasia. See also plants. — hypertrophic, hypertrophical, adj. — hypertrophous, adj.

See also: Size

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	hypertrophy - abnormal enlargement of a body part or organ dysplasia - abnormal development (of organs or cells) or an abnormal structure resulting from such growth adenomegaly - gland enlargement cor pulmonale - enlargement of the right ventricle of the heart due to disease of the lungs or of the pulmonary blood vessels dactylomegaly - abnormally large fingers or toes elephantiasis - hypertrophy of certain body parts (usually legs and scrotum); the end state of the disease filariasis splenomegaly - an abnormal enlargement of the spleen giantism, gigantism, overgrowth - excessive size; usually caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland acromegalia, acromegaly - enlargement of bones of hands and feet and face; often accompanied by headache and muscle pain and emotional disturbances; caused by overproduction of growth hormone by the anterior pituitary gland (due to a tumor)
Verb	1.	hypertrophy - undergo hypertrophy; "muscles can hypertrophy when people take steroids" grow - become larger, greater, or bigger; expand or gain; "The problem grew too large for me"; "Her business grew fast"