metaplasia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Specialist)Technical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “metaplasia” mean?
The reversible transformation of one differentiated cell type into another.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The reversible transformation of one differentiated cell type into another.
A cellular adaptation in response to chronic irritation or inflammation, where a cell type changes to another, often more resistant, type to better withstand the altered environment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning, spelling, or usage. Pronunciation of the final vowel may vary slightly.
Connotations
Purely medical/scientific; carries no additional cultural connotations in either variety.
Frequency
Used with identical frequency in medical literature and practice in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “metaplasia” in a Sentence
N + of + (tissue/organ) (e.g., metaplasia of the oesophagus)N + in + (location) (e.g., metaplasia in the stomach)N + is caused by/associated with + (agent) (e.g., Metaplasia is caused by chronic acid reflux.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metaplasia” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- metaplastic changes
- a metaplastic epithelium
American English
- metaplastic changes
- a metaplastic epithelium
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Exclusively used in medical, biological, and histopathology research and literature.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in pathology, histology, gastroenterology, and haematology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “metaplasia”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “metaplasia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metaplasia”
- Mispronunciation (e.g., /ˈmetəˌpleɪsɪə/).
- Confusing it with 'metastasis' (the spread of cancer).
- Using it to describe normal, healthy cellular changes.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, metaplasia itself is not cancer. It is a reversible, adaptive change. However, in some cases (like Barrett's oesophagus), it can be a precursor condition that increases cancer risk if it progresses to dysplasia.
Metaplasia is the reversible replacement of one mature cell type with another. Dysplasia is an abnormal, often irreversible, development of cells with disordered size, shape, and organization, which is considered pre-cancerous.
It is most common in tissues exposed to chronic irritation or injury, such as the respiratory tract (from smoking), the oesophagus (from acid reflux), and the cervix.
It can be a protective adaptation in the short term, replacing a vulnerable cell type with a hardier one. However, it also represents a loss of the original tissue's specialised function and can be a step toward more serious pathology.
The reversible transformation of one differentiated cell type into another.
Metaplasia is usually technical/medical in register.
Metaplasia: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛtəˈpleɪzɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛdəˈpleɪʒə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: META (change) + PLASIA (formation) = a change in the formation of cells.
Conceptual Metaphor
CELLS AS ADAPTABLE WORKERS: Under persistent stress, cells 'retrain' for a different, more suitable job.
Practice
Quiz
Metaplasia is best described as: