What term describes an increase in the size of a tissue?

Hypertrophy is the term that describes the increase in the size of a tissue or an organ, primarily due to the enlargement of its individual cells. This process occurs in response to various stimuli, such as increased workload or hormonal signals. For instance, muscle tissue can undergo hypertrophy when subjected to resistance training, leading to larger muscle fibers. This term is significant in both normal physiological adaptations and in pathological conditions where tissue overgrowth may occur.

Differentiation refers to the process by which cells develop into more specialized forms and functions, rather than an increase in size. Atrophy, in contrast, is the reduction in the size or wasting away of an organ or tissue, often due to disuse or insufficient blood supply. Neoplasm pertains to an abnormal growth of tissue, which may be benign or malignant, but not specifically related to the increase in tissue size in the same controlled manner as hypertrophy.