Hypertrophy (
IPA /haɪˈpɝːtrəfi/, from Greek ὑπέρ "excess" + τροφή "nourishment") is the increase in the volume of an organ or tissue due to the enlargement of its component
cells. It is distinguished from
hyperplasia, in which the cells remain approximately the same size but increase in number. Although hypertrophy and hyperplasia are two distinct processes, they frequently occur together, such as in the case of the
hormonally-induced proliferation and enlargement of the cells of the
uterus during
pregnancy.