metaplasia
Tissue type switch
Metaplasia is the transformation of one type of mature cell into another type, usually in response to chronic irritation or inflammation.
The body replaces vulnerable cells with hardier ones better suited to the stress—as when stomach acid repeatedly damages the esophagus, causing normal tissue to transform into more acid-resistant cells.
Metaplasia is often reversible if the irritant is removed, but can be a precursor to cancer if it persists.
Abnormal, may become malignant
- lesionArea of pathological change
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
- histopathologyDisease study through tissue
- carcinomaEpithelial malignant tumor
adenocarcinoma · malignancy · carcinogenesis · cervical · bronchial · gastric · glandular
Tissue covering body surfaces
- stromaSupportive tissue framework
- mucosaMoist organ lining
- glandularOf secretion-producing organs
- fibrosisPathological connective tissue buildup
atrophy · regeneration · remodeling · histology · morphogenesis · endometrium · respiratory · esophageal
Direct cell type transformation
- epitheliumTissue covering body surfaces
- squamousScale-like in texture
- columnarShaped like a pillar
- gobletStemmed drinking vessel
ciliated · basal · stratified · fibroblasts · osteoblasts · stem cells · differentiation · reprogramming
Persistent immune response in tissues
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
- acid refluxStomach contents reversing course
- smokingInhaling burning tobacco
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
environmental stress · injury · repair · vitamin A deficiency · hormonal · chemical exposure · GERD
precancerous
Abnormal, may become malignant
- lesionArea of pathological change
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
- histopathologyDisease study through tissue
carcinoma · adenocarcinoma · malignancy · carcinogenesis · cervical · bronchial · gastric · glandular
epithelium
Tissue covering body surfaces
fibrosis · atrophy · regeneration · remodeling · histology · morphogenesis · endometrium · respiratory · esophageal · bladder
transdifferentiation
Direct cell type transformation
- epitheliumTissue covering body surfaces
- squamousScale-like in texture
- columnarShaped like a pillar
goblet · ciliated · basal · stratified · fibroblasts · osteoblasts · stem cells · differentiation · reprogramming · cell fate
chronic inflammation
Persistent immune response in tissues
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
- acid refluxStomach contents reversing course
- smokingInhaling burning tobacco
infection · environmental stress · injury · repair · vitamin A deficiency · hormonal · chemical exposure · GERD