aplasia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “aplasia” mean?
The failure of a tissue or organ to develop normally, resulting in its complete or partial absence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The failure of a tissue or organ to develop normally, resulting in its complete or partial absence.
In a broader biological context, aplasia can refer to the lack of development of any specific cell line, organ, or tissue due to the arrest or failure of growth.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in spelling or primary meaning. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
None beyond the strict medical/scientific definition.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; used almost exclusively in medical, pathological, and biological contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “aplasia” in a Sentence
Aplasia [of + ORGAN/TISSUE] (e.g., aplasia of the kidney)Aplasia [in + CONDITION] (e.g., aplasia in Fanconi anaemia)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “aplasia” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The aplastic bone marrow showed no signs of recovery.
- Aplastic anaemia is a serious condition.
American English
- The aplastic bone marrow showed no signs of recovery.
- Aplastic anemia is a serious condition.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in medical, biological, and genetic research papers to describe congenital or acquired developmental failures.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in pathology, haematology, embryology, and clinical medicine.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “aplasia”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “aplasia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “aplasia”
- Confusing 'aplasia' with 'atrophy'.
- Misspelling as 'aplysia' (a genus of sea slugs).
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'the organ aplasiaed' – incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are often used synonymously. Some sources suggest 'agenesis' implies a complete absence from the beginning, while 'aplasia' might imply an early developmental arrest after some initial formation, but in practice, they are largely interchangeable.
While often congenital (e.g., renal aplasia), it can also be acquired. Acquired pure red cell aplasia, where bone marrow stops producing red blood cells, is a key example.
It is exclusively a noun. The related adjective is 'aplastic'.
Most prevalent in haematology (e.g., aplastic anaemia), pathology, embryology, paediatrics, and radiology.
The failure of a tissue or organ to develop normally, resulting in its complete or partial absence.
Aplasia is usually technical / medical in register.
Aplasia: in British English it is pronounced /əˈpleɪ.zi.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈpleɪ.ʒə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A-PLASIA = Absence of PLAStic growth (plastic meaning formative/developmental in biology).
Conceptual Metaphor
A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT FAILED (the body's 'blueprint' for building an organ was not executed).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most precise antonym for 'aplasia' in a medical context?