Cell injury and adaptation: hypertrophy and hyperplasia in pregnancy: practice question

A Pathology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pathology · Cell injury and adaptation: hypertrophy and hyperplasia in pregnancy

Sample item

The uterus enlarges many-fold during pregnancy. Which process explains this under oestrogen stimulation?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Both smooth muscle hypertrophy and hyperplasia

In pregnancy the uterine smooth muscle cells enlarge (hypertrophy) and also increase in number (hyperplasia) under oestrogen. After delivery the uterus involutes by atrophy and apoptosis. This is a physiological adaptation.

Option by option

  • A. Hyperplasia alone with no change in cell size

    Hyperplasia alone is incomplete because the cells also grow larger.

  • B. Dysplasia of smooth muscle with atypia

    Dysplasia is disordered growth with atypia and is not physiological.

  • C. Both smooth muscle hypertrophy and hyperplasia (correct)

    Correct. Both size and number of smooth muscle cells increase.

  • D. Metaplasia of myometrium into fibrous tissue

    Metaplasia is replacement of one mature cell type with another and is not involved.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is C, Both smooth muscle hypertrophy and hyperplasia. In pregnancy the uterine smooth muscle cells enlarge (hypertrophy) and also increase in number (hyperplasia) under oestrogen.

Why is "Hyperplasia alone with no change in cell size" not the answer?

Hyperplasia alone is incomplete because the cells also grow larger.

Why is "Dysplasia of smooth muscle with atypia" not the answer?

Dysplasia is disordered growth with atypia and is not physiological.

Why is "Metaplasia of myometrium into fibrous tissue" not the answer?

Metaplasia is replacement of one mature cell type with another and is not involved.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cell injury and adaptation: hypertrophy and hyperplasia in pregnancy in Pathology. After delivery the uterus involutes by atrophy and apoptosis. This is a physiological adaptation.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cell injury and adaptation: hypertrophy and hyperplasia in pregnancy?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.