PATHOPHYSIOLOGY INTRODUCTORY
CONCEPTS AND CLINICAL PERSPECTIVES
PRACTICE STUDY GUIDE 2026
◉ Whats is Atrophy? Answer: cell decreases in size because demand
decreases
"You don't use it, you loose it!"
◉ What are the five causes of cell atrophy? Answer: 1. Disuse
2. Ischemia (inadequate blood supply to organ/body part)
3. Endocrine dysfunction
4. Persistent cell injury
5. Aging
◉ What is hypertrophy? Answer: cell increases in size because
demand increases
◉ Hypertrophy can either be.... Answer: -physiologic (normal)
-pathologic (abnormal)
◉ Examples of physiologic hypertrophy? Answer: -weight lifting
,◉ Examples of pathologic hypertrophy? Answer: -an enlarged organ
◉ What is hyperplasia? Answer: -increased number of cells
◉ Hyperplasia can be.... Answer: -Physiologic
-Pathologic
◉ Example of physiologic hyperplasia Answer: Breast enlargement
during puberty
◉ example of pathologic hyperplasia Answer: enlargement of
prostate gland
◉ What is metaplasia? Answer: replacement of one cell type with
another
◉ Is metaplasia reversible or irreversible? Answer: reversible
◉ *replaces one cell with another cell
1. Cell remains same basic tissue type
2. Usually occurs in response to Chronic irritation and inflammation
3. Reversible Answer: Metaplasia
,◉ What is Dysplasia? Answer: Cell mutates with abnormal
variations in size, shape and arrangement
◉ *Cells mutate with abnormal variations in SIZE, SHAPE, and
ARRANGEMENT
1. Abnormal
2. May be reversible
3. Strong precursor for cancer Answer: Dysplasia
◉ What is the single most common cause of cellular injury? Answer:
Hypoxic injury
◉ Results From:
-Reduced amount of O2 in the air
-Loss of hemoglobin or decreased efficacy of Hemoglobin
-Decreased production of RBC (anemia)
-Poisoning of the oxidative enzymes within the cells Answer:
Hypoxic injury
◉ Most common cause of Hypoxic injury? Answer: Ishcemia (blood
flow stops from heart attack, stroke, blood clot, gradual narrowing of
arteries, ect.)
, ◉ what is an Ischemia-reperflusion injury? Answer: when there is
much oxygen in an area without oxygen there will be too many free
radicals in a cell causing the cell to implode.
EX: opening a blood clot too soon.
◉ What are free radicals and reactive oxygen species? Answer:
Electrically uncharged atom or atoms having an unpaired electron
causing damage to:
-Lipid peroxidation
-Alteration of proteins
-Alteration of DNA
-Mitochondria
◉ What causes Chemical injury to cells? Answer: -lead
-ethanol
-Carbon monoxide
-mercury
-Social/Street Drugs
-medications
◉ Blunt force injuries Answer: -Contusion (Bruise)
-Abrasion (Scrapes)
CONCEPTS AND CLINICAL PERSPECTIVES
PRACTICE STUDY GUIDE 2026
◉ Whats is Atrophy? Answer: cell decreases in size because demand
decreases
"You don't use it, you loose it!"
◉ What are the five causes of cell atrophy? Answer: 1. Disuse
2. Ischemia (inadequate blood supply to organ/body part)
3. Endocrine dysfunction
4. Persistent cell injury
5. Aging
◉ What is hypertrophy? Answer: cell increases in size because
demand increases
◉ Hypertrophy can either be.... Answer: -physiologic (normal)
-pathologic (abnormal)
◉ Examples of physiologic hypertrophy? Answer: -weight lifting
,◉ Examples of pathologic hypertrophy? Answer: -an enlarged organ
◉ What is hyperplasia? Answer: -increased number of cells
◉ Hyperplasia can be.... Answer: -Physiologic
-Pathologic
◉ Example of physiologic hyperplasia Answer: Breast enlargement
during puberty
◉ example of pathologic hyperplasia Answer: enlargement of
prostate gland
◉ What is metaplasia? Answer: replacement of one cell type with
another
◉ Is metaplasia reversible or irreversible? Answer: reversible
◉ *replaces one cell with another cell
1. Cell remains same basic tissue type
2. Usually occurs in response to Chronic irritation and inflammation
3. Reversible Answer: Metaplasia
,◉ What is Dysplasia? Answer: Cell mutates with abnormal
variations in size, shape and arrangement
◉ *Cells mutate with abnormal variations in SIZE, SHAPE, and
ARRANGEMENT
1. Abnormal
2. May be reversible
3. Strong precursor for cancer Answer: Dysplasia
◉ What is the single most common cause of cellular injury? Answer:
Hypoxic injury
◉ Results From:
-Reduced amount of O2 in the air
-Loss of hemoglobin or decreased efficacy of Hemoglobin
-Decreased production of RBC (anemia)
-Poisoning of the oxidative enzymes within the cells Answer:
Hypoxic injury
◉ Most common cause of Hypoxic injury? Answer: Ishcemia (blood
flow stops from heart attack, stroke, blood clot, gradual narrowing of
arteries, ect.)
, ◉ what is an Ischemia-reperflusion injury? Answer: when there is
much oxygen in an area without oxygen there will be too many free
radicals in a cell causing the cell to implode.
EX: opening a blood clot too soon.
◉ What are free radicals and reactive oxygen species? Answer:
Electrically uncharged atom or atoms having an unpaired electron
causing damage to:
-Lipid peroxidation
-Alteration of proteins
-Alteration of DNA
-Mitochondria
◉ What causes Chemical injury to cells? Answer: -lead
-ethanol
-Carbon monoxide
-mercury
-Social/Street Drugs
-medications
◉ Blunt force injuries Answer: -Contusion (Bruise)
-Abrasion (Scrapes)
