Which term is used to describe an increase in size or number?

The term that describes an increase in size or number is hypertrophy. Hypertrophy refers specifically to the enlargement of existing cells, which leads to an increase in the overall size of a tissue or organ. This process can be seen in muscle tissue as a result of resistance training, where the muscle fibers increase in size to adapt to the stress of the exercise.

In contrast, atrophy denotes a decrease in size or wasting away of an organ or tissue due to a reduction in the size of its cells, often resulting from disuse or lack of stimulation. Dystrophy refers to disorders that lead to abnormal development or growth of tissues, which may result in impaired function but does not specifically address an increase in size or number. Stasis indicates a stoppage or decrease in flow or movement, which is unrelated to growth or increase.

Hypertrophy is an important concept in various fields, including exercise physiology and rehabilitation, helping professionals understand how to promote growth and strength in muscles and tissues.