Pathology has a lot of vocabulary that sounds very similar.  For example, hypertrophy, hyperplasia and aplasia.  These similar sounding words can get confusing.  Knowing the pre-fix, suffix, and root words can be helpful in times like these.  But sometimes there is a mnemonic in there that can help alleviate stress.

Let’s take a look at Hypertrophy and hyperplasia.  Hypertrophy is the enlargement of an organ or tissue from the increase in the size of its CELLS.  An example of this would be the result of working out to increase muscle size.  Conversely,  hyperplasia is an increase in a tissue or organ caused by an increase in the reproduction rate of its cells.  This is observed in cancer.

So here’s the mnemonic and it helps with two vocabulary words, hypertrophy and hyperplasia.  Within the word Hypertrophy, is the word trophy.  Everyone prefers one large trophy, not a bunch of small ones.  So when you see the word hypertrophy, think of one large trophy and you’ll be reminded about large cells versus an increase in the number of cells as tissues become enlarged.

Hopefully this mnemonic helps you get through some pathology.