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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Human Anatomy & Medicine

Quiz: What Does the Suffix -trophy Mean in Hypertrophy?

Dive into suffix -trophy definitions and test your hypertrophy meaning knowledge

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of medical terminology quiz on meaning of suffix -trophy in hypertrophy on golden yellow background

Hello, aspiring clinicians and anatomy aficionados! Ever wondered precisely what the suffix -trophy in the term hypertrophy means? Our free Med Term Quiz tests your medical terminology hypertrophy skills and deepens your understanding of hypertrophy meaning in muscle growth. Whether you're a nursing student brushing up for finals or a health pro seeking a refresher, explore related topics like medical roots, prefixes and suffixes in our comprehensive guide to medical roots, prefixes and suffixes , then sharpen your skills through a prefixes and suffixes quiz . Ready to master the suffix -trophy definition? Start the quiz now!

What is the primary meaning of the suffix "-trophy" in medical terminology?
Growth or nourishment
Pain or suffering
Removal or excision
Inflammation or swelling
The suffix "-trophy" comes from the Greek word "trophe," meaning nourishment or growth. It indicates processes related to development, nutrition, or increase in size. In terms such as hypertrophy or atrophy, "-trophy" describes alterations in tissue nourishment or growth. Wikipedia – Troph
Which term describes an increase in muscle size due to enhanced nutrition or workload?
Hypertrophy
Atrophy
Dystrophy
Hypotrophy
Hypertrophy refers to the enlargement of an organ or tissue due to increased cell size often from workload or nutrition. It is commonly seen in skeletal muscles of athletes. The suffix "-trophy" highlights the growth aspect while "hyper-" indicates excess. Wikipedia – Hypertrophy
What does the term "atrophy" indicate?
Decrease in size or wasting away
Formation of scar tissue
Abnormal growth
Excess blood flow
Atrophy is derived from the Greek prefix "a-" meaning without and "-trophy" meaning nourishment or development. It describes the reduction in cell size or tissue mass. It is commonly observed in muscles that are immobilized or nerves that are not stimulated. Wikipedia – Atrophy
In medical language, what does "dystrophy" most accurately refer to?
Faulty or abnormal nourishment or development
Excessive growth
Complete absence of cells
Painful inflammation
Dystrophy combines the prefix "dys-" meaning bad or faulty with "-trophy" meaning nourishment. It refers to disorders characterized by abnormal development or degeneration of tissue. Muscular dystrophy is a classic example of this malfunction. Wikipedia – Muscular Dystrophy
Which term describes underdevelopment or insufficient nourishment of tissue?
Hypotrophy
Hypertrophy
Eutrophy
Dystrophy
Hypotrophy uses the prefix "hypo-" meaning under or below normal, plus "-trophy." It denotes decreased growth or nourishment. It is less commonly used than atrophy but carries a similar concept. The Free Dictionary – Hypotrophy
What does the term "eutrophy" mean?
Normal or good nourishment
Excessive growth
Lack of blood flow
Rapid cell death
Eutrophy combines "eu-" meaning good or well with "-trophy." It indicates normal, healthy nourishment of tissues. While less commonly used, it appears in nutritional science contexts. Dictionary.com – Eutrophy
Which of the following describes cells that obtain nourishment by ingesting organic material?
Heterotrophy
Autotrophy
Hypotrophy
Eutrophy
Heterotrophy uses the prefix "hetero-" meaning other with "-trophy." It refers to organisms that require organic substances for nutrition. Animals and many bacteria are heterotrophs. Wikipedia – Heterotroph
What does "autotrophy" indicate in a biological context?
Self-nourishment via inorganic sources
Damage to tissue structure
Inflammatory response
Rapid cell division
Autotrophy combines "auto-" meaning self with "-trophy." It describes organisms, such as plants, that produce their own food from inorganic substances. Photosynthesis in plants is a primary example. Wikipedia – Autotroph
Which hormone is described as trophic because it stimulates another endocrine gland to grow or function?
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Insulin
Glucagon
Parathyroid hormone
TSH is termed a trophic hormone because it promotes growth and function of the thyroid gland. "Trophic" here relates to stimulation and nourishment. Other trophic hormones include ACTH and growth hormone. NCBI – Pituitary Gland
What does "myotrophy" refer to?
Nourishment or growth of muscle tissue
Degeneration of nerve fibers
Inflammation of joints
Calcification of bone
Myotrophy combines the combining form "myo-" for muscle and "-trophy" for nourishment or growth. It refers to the development or nourishment of muscle tissue. It contrasts with muscle atrophy, which is wasting of muscle. The Free Dictionary – Myotrophy
Which scenario most likely leads to muscle atrophy?
Prolonged immobilization in a cast
Resistance weight training
High-protein diet
Cardiovascular exercise
Prolonged immobilization reduces mechanical load and neural stimulation, leading to muscle atrophy. Lack of use means decreased nourishment and protein synthesis. Resistance training, by contrast, promotes hypertrophy. NCBI – Muscle Atrophy
In which organ would you commonly observe compensatory hypertrophy?
Left ventricle of the heart
Appendix
Spleen
Thyroid cartilage
Left ventricular hypertrophy often arises to compensate for increased workload, such as in hypertension. The heart muscle cells enlarge to handle greater pressure. This is a classical example of compensatory hypertrophy. Wikipedia – Ventricular Hypertrophy
What does "neurotrophic" refer to?
Supporting the growth and survival of neurons
Destruction of neuronal tissue
Inflammation in the brain
Loss of sensory function
Neurotrophic factors promote growth, development, and survival of neurons. The suffix "-trophic" indicates nourishment. Examples include brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Wikipedia – Neurotrophic Factor
What is the opposite of hypertrophy?
Atrophy
Dystrophy
Hyperplasia
Metaplasia
Atrophy is the decrease in size or wasting of tissue, while hypertrophy is the increase in size. Both terms share "-trophy" but differ by prefixes indicating direction of change. They are often contrasted in muscle physiology. Wikipedia – Hypertrophy
Which medical term means normal growth and development of tissues?
Eutrophy
Atrophy
Dystrophy
Hypertrophy
Eutrophy refers to the state of normal, healthy tissue nourishment and development. It is derived from "eu-" meaning good and "-trophy" meaning nourishment. This term is used more in nutritional science than clinical pathology. Dictionary.com – Eutrophy
Which condition is characterized by poor nourishment and wasting of cells?
Atrophy
Hyperplasia
Hypertrophy
Metaplasia
Atrophy denotes reduction in size and function of cells due to lack of nourishment or use. It is seen in muscle disuse, aging, and certain chronic diseases. The term specifically highlights insufficient trophic support. Wikipedia – Atrophy
The suffix "-trophy" is least likely to relate to which of the following?
Inflammation
Growth
Nourishment
Development
The suffix "-trophy" pertains to nourishment, growth, or development. It does not denote inflammation, which is indicated by "-itis." Therefore, "inflammation" is unrelated to "-trophy." Wikipedia – Medical Terminology
Which term describes enlargement of the spleen due to increased workload?
Splenomegaly
Splenotrophy
Splenohypertrophy
Splenodystrophy
While "-megaly" means enlargement, combining "spleno-" with "hypertrophy" yields splenohypertrophy, indicating increased spleen size due to workload. The term highlights growth rather than simply enlargement. It is used in hematologic disorders where spleen workload rises. NCBI – Splenic Hypertrophy
Pathologic hypertrophy in the myocardium is primarily due to which cellular change?
Increased cell size without cell division
Increased cell number
New capillary formation
Loss of mitochondrial density
Myocardial hypertrophy involves enlargement of existing cardiac muscle cells, not proliferation. The cells increase protein synthesis and myofibril content. This adaptation responds to chronic pressure overload. NCBI – Cardiac Hypertrophy
Which of these conditions is an example of dystrophic calcification, not related to "-trophy"?
Calcification in damaged heart valves
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Autotrophic bacterial growth
Neurotrophic ulcer
Dystrophic calcification occurs in areas of tissue injury or necrosis, such as damaged heart valves. It involves deposition of calcium salts, not tissue growth or nourishment. The term here uses "dys-" for abnormal and differs from "-trophy" terms. NCBI – Calcification
Which term describes nutrient uptake and growth of cartilage?
Chondrotrophy
Chondritis
Chondrolysis
Chondromalacia
Chondrotrophy combines "chondro-" meaning cartilage with "-trophy" meaning nourishment. It refers to the nutritional support and growth of cartilage tissue. Other choices denote inflammation or degeneration rather than growth. The Free Dictionary – Chondrotrophy
Which phrase describes the process of excessive cell proliferation rather than pure hypertrophy?
Hyperplasia
Metaplasia
Hypertrophy
Dysplasia
Hyperplasia is the increase in cell number, whereas hypertrophy is the increase in cell size. The suffix "-plasia" refers to formation or molding of cells. Both can occur together in response to certain stimuli. NCBI – Cell Adaptations
Which molecular pathway is most closely associated with muscle hypertrophy?
mTOR signaling pathway
p53 apoptotic pathway
NF-?B inflammatory pathway
RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway
The mTOR pathway regulates protein synthesis and cell growth, playing a central role in muscle hypertrophy. Activation by mechanical load or growth factors increases muscle mass. It contrasts with apoptotic or inflammatory pathways. NCBI – mTOR and Muscle Growth
What type of trophic factor specifically supports survival of cardiac muscle cells?
Cardiotrophin-1
Erythropoietin
Neurotrophin-3
Fibroblast growth factor
Cardiotrophin-1 is a cytokine that promotes survival and function of cardiac myocytes. It belongs to the IL-6 family of trophic factors. The name reflects its trophic action on the heart. NCBI – Cardiotrophin-1
Which term refers to growth of tissue in an abnormal location due to nutrient demands?
Heterotopia
Metaplasia
Ectopic hypertrophy
Hyperplasia
Heterotopia describes normal tissue growth in an abnormal location. It combines "hetero-" meaning other with "topos" meaning place. This differs from hypertrophy, which is growth in the usual location. NCBI – Heterotopia
In renal pathology, which term describes hypertrophy of remaining nephrons after loss?
Compensatory hypertrophy
Primary hyperplasia
Renal dysplasia
Nephrotrophy
Compensatory hypertrophy occurs when remaining nephrons enlarge to maintain renal function after nephron loss. It involves increased cell size, not number. The process helps preserve glomerular filtration rate. NCBI – Renal Hypertrophy
Which of the following is a trophic peptide that influences gut mucosa growth?
Gastrin
Somatostatin
Secretin
Cholecystokinin
Gastrin stimulates growth of gastric mucosa and increases acid secretion. Its trophic effects on the stomach lining help maintain mucosal integrity. Somatostatin, in contrast, inhibits many gastrointestinal hormones. NCBI – Gastrin
Which suffix would you expect in a term meaning 'development of new blood vessels'?
angiogenesis
angiotrophy
angiodystrophy
angiomegaly
Angiogenesis combines "angio-" for vessel with "-genesis" for formation. It refers to new blood vessel growth. Although "angiotrophy" might suggest vessel nourishment, it is not the standard term. Wikipedia – Angiogenesis
Which type of muscle fiber is more prone to hypertrophy with resistance training?
Type II (fast-twitch)
Type I (slow-twitch)
Cardiac fibers
Smooth muscle fibers
Fast-twitch (Type II) fibers have greater capacity for growth and hypertrophy in response to resistance training. They generate more force and have higher protein synthesis rates. Slow-twitch fibers adapt more by increasing endurance. NCBI – Muscle Fiber Types
Which condition is characterized by dystrophic deposition of lipids in vessel walls?
Atherosclerosis
Hypertensive heart disease
Cardiac hypertrophy
Heterotrophy
Atherosclerosis involves deposition of lipids and fibrous elements in arterial walls. This is a form of dystrophic change due to abnormal tissue development. It is unrelated to pure hypertrophy or trophic growth. NCBI – Atherosclerosis
Which molecular marker is elevated in cardiac hypertrophy reflecting increased protein synthesis?
ANP (Atrial natriuretic peptide)
Troponin I
CRP (C-reactive protein)
CK-MB
ANP expression increases in hypertrophied atrial myocytes. It serves as a marker of cardiac stress and growth. Troponin I and CK-MB are markers of myocardial injury rather than hypertrophy. NCBI – ANP and Hypertrophy
Which factor is most directly responsible for load-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy?
Satellite cell activation
Myostatin overexpression
Elevated cortisol levels
Reduced IGF-1 signaling
Satellite cells are muscle stem cells that fuse with existing fibers, contributing nuclei and supporting hypertrophy. Myostatin actually inhibits muscle growth. IGF-1 promotes growth, so its reduction would reduce hypertrophy. NCBI – Satellite Cells
Which gene mutation is associated with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
?-myosin heavy chain (MYH7)
Dystrophin (DMD)
CFTR
BRCA1
Mutations in the MYH7 gene encoding ?-myosin heavy chain are a common cause of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. These mutations lead to abnormal sarcomeric function and myocardial hypertrophy. Dystrophin is related to muscular dystrophy, not cardiomyopathy. NCBI – HCM Genetics
What distinguishes physiologic from pathologic hypertrophy at the cellular signaling level?
mTOR activation vs. calcineurin–NFAT pathway
p53 activation vs. p38 MAPK
Wnt signaling vs. Notch pathway
JAK-STAT vs. RAS pathway
Physiologic hypertrophy primarily involves mTOR-mediated protein synthesis. Pathologic hypertrophy often activates the calcineurin–NFAT transcriptional pathway. These distinct signaling cascades result in different structural and functional outcomes. NCBI – Hypertrophy Pathways
In chronic kidney disease, which term best describes the adaptive increase in size of proximal tubule cells?
Compensatory hypertrophy
Reactive hyperplasia
Renal dysplasia
Nephridia growth
Compensatory hypertrophy in the kidney involves enlargement of remaining nephrons and proximal tubule cells to handle increased workload. This adaptation helps maintain filtration when other nephrons are lost. It is a classic example of hypertrophic response. NCBI – Renal Adaptation
Which imaging finding is most consistent with left ventricular hypertrophy?
Increased wall thickness on echocardiogram
Dilation of ventricular chamber only
Reduced ejection fraction
Pericardial effusion
Left ventricular hypertrophy is identified by increased myocardial wall thickness on echocardiogram. Chamber dilation alone suggests remodeling but not pure hypertrophy. Ejection fraction can remain normal or elevated in early hypertrophy. ASE – LVH Guidelines
Which biomarker rise indicates skeletal muscle damage rather than hypertrophy?
CK-MB
Creatine kinase (CK-MM)
ANP
LDH-5
CK-MM isoform elevation reflects skeletal muscle breakdown, not growth. CK-MB is more specific for cardiac muscle injury. Biomarkers of hypertrophy are usually genetic or structural, not enzymatic. NCBI – Muscle Enzymes
Which experimental treatment blocks muscle hypertrophy by inhibiting the mTOR pathway?
Rapamycin
Dexamethasone
Metformin
Insulin
Rapamycin directly inhibits mTOR signaling, preventing protein synthesis and muscle hypertrophy. It is used in research to study growth pathways. Dexamethasone has catabolic effects but works via glucocorticoid receptors. NCBI – Rapamycin
Which of the following best explains cardiac concentric hypertrophy?
Parallel addition of sarcomeres
Series addition of sarcomeres
Increased apoptosis
Decreased extracellular matrix
Concentric hypertrophy involves parallel addition of sarcomeres, thickening the ventricular wall. Eccentric hypertrophy, by contrast, adds sarcomeres in series, dilating the chamber. These structural changes reflect different stress types. NCBI – Cardiac Remodeling
Which microRNA family is implicated in regulation of muscle hypertrophy?
miR-1 and miR-133
let-7 family
miR-21 alone
miR-200 family
miR-1 and miR-133 regulate myogenesis and muscle growth by targeting pathways involved in hypertrophy. Their expression changes are observed in training and atrophy. Other microRNAs have different targets. NCBI – miRNAs in Muscle
Which genetic model would most likely show impaired hypertrophic response?
mTOR knockout mice
p53 knockout mice
Myostatin knockout mice
TNF-? knockout mice
mTOR knockout mice lack the central regulator of protein synthesis, impairing hypertrophy. Myostatin knockout mice show exaggerated muscle growth. p53 and TNF-? knockouts affect apoptosis and inflammation, not directly hypertrophy. NCBI – mTOR Knockout
Which term describes muscle growth due to addition of contractile elements in series?
Eccentric hypertrophy
Concentric hypertrophy
Hyperplasia
Myotrophy
Eccentric hypertrophy features sarcomere addition in series, leading to fiber lengthening. Concentric hypertrophy adds sarcomeres in parallel, increasing thickness. The term distinguishes the architecture of muscle adaptation. NCBI – Muscle Remodeling
Which enzyme’s upregulation is a key marker of dietary protein–induced hypertrophy?
S6 kinase
Caspase-3
Cyclooxygenase-2
AMPK
S6 kinase is downstream of mTOR and its activation correlates with increased protein synthesis and hypertrophy. Dietary protein stimulates mTOR/S6K signaling. AMPK activation, conversely, inhibits hypertrophy. NCBI – S6K and Hypertrophy
Which transcription factor is critical for pathologic cardiac hypertrophy via calcineurin signaling?
NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T-cells)
GATA-1
FOXO3
SP1
NFAT translocates to the nucleus when dephosphorylated by calcineurin, driving gene programs for pathologic hypertrophy. GATA factors also play roles, but NFAT is central to calcineurin-dependent growth. This axis is a target for therapeutic intervention. NCBI – NFAT in Hypertrophy
In a knockout of the IGF-1 receptor in muscle, which outcome is expected?
Reduced compensatory hypertrophy after overload
Enhanced muscle fiber size
No change in muscle mass
Spontaneous atrophy of cardiac muscle
IGF-1 signaling through its receptor activates PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways, essential for hypertrophic response. Knockout impairs overload-induced muscle growth. It does not directly cause cardiac atrophy without additional stressors. NCBI – IGF-1 Receptor
Which epigenetic modification is linked to sustained cardiac hypertrophy gene expression?
Histone acetylation at fetal gene promoters
DNA methylation of rRNA genes
miRNA-21 downregulation
Heterochromatin formation
In pathologic hypertrophy, increased histone acetylation at promoters reactivates fetal gene programs. This epigenetic change supports maladaptive growth. Heterochromatin formation generally represses genes. NCBI – Epigenetics in Hypertrophy
Which microenvironmental factor most strongly influences tumor cell trophic interactions?
Growth factor gradients
Oxygen diffusion alone
Extracellular matrix acidity
Static interstitial pressure
Gradient of growth factors drives paracrine trophic support of tumor cells. While oxygen and acidity influence tumor biology, trophic interactions rely heavily on growth factor signaling. Static pressure has lesser direct trophic effect. NCBI – Tumor Microenvironment
Which novel therapeutic target aims to modulate muscle trophic balance in cachexia?
ActRIIB (activin receptor type IIB)
ACE2 enzyme
PD-1 checkpoint
mTORC2 complex
Inhibiting ActRIIB signaling can counteract the negative trophic signals in muscle wasting of cachexia. This approach restores balance between atrophic and hypertrophic pathways. ACE2 and PD-1 are unrelated to muscle trophic regulation. NCBI – ActRIIB in Cachexia
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the suffix -trophy -

    Readers will grasp what the suffix -trophy in the term hypertrophy means by exploring its Greek roots and role in medical terminology.

  2. Define hypertrophy -

    Readers will be able to accurately state the hypertrophy meaning, differentiating it from similar terms such as atrophy and dystrophy.

  3. Distinguish clinical applications -

    Readers will differentiate how medical terminology hypertrophy is used in various clinical descriptions and patient assessments.

  4. Apply suffix -trophy definition -

    Readers will use their understanding of the suffix -trophy definition to interpret and construct other medical terms related to growth and development.

  5. Evaluate real-world scenarios -

    Readers will assess examples of what does -trophy mean in patient care to strengthen their ability to recognize and explain hypertrophic conditions.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Etymology of -trophy -

    The suffix - trophy derives from the Greek word "trophē" (nourishment or growth), as noted in Stedman's Medical Dictionary. It signifies processes related to development or size changes in cells or tissues. Recognizing this origin helps you decode medical terms like hypertrophy and dystrophy with ease.

  2. Defining Hypertrophy -

    Hypertrophy means an increase in cell or tissue size, not cell number, according to the Journal of Applied Physiology. For example, muscle hypertrophy occurs when resistance training stimulates protein synthesis and fiber enlargement. Remember: "hyper-" means over or excess, so hypertrophy is literally "excess growth."

  3. Hypertrophy vs. Atrophy -

    Atrophy denotes a decrease in cell or tissue size, per the National Institutes of Health, whereas hypertrophy indicates enlargement. For instance, limb immobilization leads to muscle atrophy, while weightlifting induces hypertrophy. Contrasting these terms helps reinforce the - trophy suffix's link to growth.

  4. Physiological vs. Pathological Hypertrophy -

    Physiological hypertrophy, such as an athlete's cardiac enlargement, enhances function and is reversible, as described by the American Heart Association. Pathological hypertrophy, like that due to hypertension, can impair organ performance and lead to disease. Distinguishing these types deepens your medical terminology mastery.

  5. Mnemonic Trick for - trophy -

    Use the "TROPHY case" analogy: a trophy case grows bigger as you add awards, just as - trophy refers to growth or nourishment. Alternatively, recall "hyper-trophy = hyper growth" to cement the suffix's meaning. Simple mnemonics like these bolster long-term retention during exams.

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