Cellular Adaptations and Injuries

Introduction

In this section, you'll learn about prognosis and cellular changes and adaptations that can take place. Additionally, you'll review cellular injury.

 

Prognosis and Cellular Adaptations

The prognosis is the physician's estimate of the severity and possible outcome of the disease process. For example, the prognosis of the common cold is a full recovery. Prognosis of pancreatic cancer is more grave.

In response to environment and injury or insult, our cells adapt and change. These changes begin to deviate from normal and can indicate the potential for the beginnings of a disease process. This process doesn't happen overnight, but is rather a culmination of time and insults that allow for the changes to occur.

 

In response to environment and injury or insult, changes or adaptations that can take place are atrophy, dysplasia, hyperplasia, hypertrophy, hypoplasia, and metaplasia.

Cellular injury depends on the type, duration, and severity of the insult.

The length of time the cell was exposed and the severity of the occurrence will have a direct impact on the cell's overall health and ability to function. For example, with ischemia, the cell isn't getting enough oxygen. Not having enough oxygen for a long period of time can stress the cell and result in cell death.

Atrophy

The lack or loss of normal development of cells, resulting in smaller cells.

Dysplasia

A change in cell structure.

Hyperplasia

Excessive development of normal cells within an organ.

Hypertrophy

Increase in the bulk or size of the cells.

Hypoplasia

Decrease in development of normal cells within an organ.

Metaplasia

A change in cells from one type of cell to another in response to an insult or injury. This change is better suited for the current environment and isn't necessarily cancerous.

 

Key Points

• A prognosis is the physician's estimate of the severity and possible outcome of a disease.
• In response to environment, injury, or insult, cells adapt and change.
• The length of time a cell was exposed and the severity of the occurrence has a direct impact on the cell's overall health and ability to function.