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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Hypertrophy suffix meaning: what does -trophy mean?

Quick, free quiz to test your knowledge of the trophy suffix meaning. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Nurana JafarUpdated Aug 28, 2025
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

This short quiz helps you learn what the -trophy suffix means in words like hypertrophy, check your recall, and spot common mix-ups. For a quick review, explore pathology word parts, compare it with osis suffix meaning, and see the muscle combining form used in anatomy terms.

What is the primary meaning of the suffix "-trophy" in medical terminology?
Pain or suffering
Removal or excision
Inflammation or swelling
Growth or nourishment
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.
Which term describes an increase in muscle size due to enhanced nutrition or workload?
Dystrophy
Hypertrophy
Hypotrophy
Atrophy
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.
What does the term "atrophy" indicate?
Decrease in size or wasting away
Abnormal growth
Formation of scar tissue
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.
In medical language, what does "dystrophy" most accurately refer to?
Painful inflammation
Excessive growth
Complete absence of cells
Faulty or abnormal nourishment or development
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.
Which term describes underdevelopment or insufficient nourishment of tissue?
Dystrophy
Eutrophy
Hypotrophy
Hypertrophy
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.
What does the term "eutrophy" mean?
Normal or good nourishment
Rapid cell death
Lack of blood flow
Excessive growth
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.
Which of the following describes cells that obtain nourishment by ingesting organic material?
Autotrophy
Hypotrophy
Heterotrophy
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.
What does "autotrophy" indicate in a biological context?
Inflammatory response
Self-nourishment via inorganic sources
Rapid cell division
Damage to tissue structure
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.
Which hormone is described as trophic because it stimulates another endocrine gland to grow or function?
Insulin
Glucagon
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
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.
What does "myotrophy" refer to?
Calcification of bone
Degeneration of nerve fibers
Nourishment or growth of muscle tissue
Inflammation of joints
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.
Which scenario most likely leads to muscle atrophy?
High-protein diet
Prolonged immobilization in a cast
Cardiovascular exercise
Resistance weight training
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.
In which organ would you commonly observe compensatory hypertrophy?
Spleen
Thyroid cartilage
Left ventricle of the heart
Appendix
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.
What does "neurotrophic" refer to?
Destruction of neuronal tissue
Supporting the growth and survival of neurons
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).
What is the opposite of hypertrophy?
Metaplasia
Hyperplasia
Atrophy
Dystrophy
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.
Which medical term means normal growth and development of tissues?
Atrophy
Dystrophy
Hypertrophy
Eutrophy
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.
Which condition is characterized by poor nourishment and wasting of cells?
Hypertrophy
Atrophy
Hyperplasia
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.
The suffix "-trophy" is least likely to relate to which of the following?
Nourishment
Development
Growth
Inflammation
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."
Which term describes enlargement of the spleen due to increased workload?
Splenohypertrophy
Splenotrophy
Splenomegaly
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.
Pathologic hypertrophy in the myocardium is primarily due to which cellular change?
Loss of mitochondrial density
New capillary formation
Increased cell number
Increased cell size without cell division
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.
Which of these conditions is an example of dystrophic calcification, not related to "-trophy"?
Autotrophic bacterial growth
Calcification in damaged heart valves
Neurotrophic ulcer
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
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.
Which term describes nutrient uptake and growth of cartilage?
Chondrolysis
Chondritis
Chondrotrophy
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.
Which phrase describes the process of excessive cell proliferation rather than pure hypertrophy?
Dysplasia
Hypertrophy
Metaplasia
Hyperplasia
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.
Which molecular pathway is most closely associated with muscle hypertrophy?
p53 apoptotic pathway
mTOR signaling pathway
RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway
NF-?B inflammatory 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.
What type of trophic factor specifically supports survival of cardiac muscle cells?
Neurotrophin-3
Cardiotrophin-1
Erythropoietin
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.
Which term refers to growth of tissue in an abnormal location due to nutrient demands?
Hyperplasia
Metaplasia
Ectopic hypertrophy
Heterotopia
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.
In renal pathology, which term describes hypertrophy of remaining nephrons after loss?
Renal dysplasia
Primary hyperplasia
Nephrotrophy
Compensatory hypertrophy
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.
Which of the following is a trophic peptide that influences gut mucosa growth?
Cholecystokinin
Gastrin
Somatostatin
Secretin
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.
Which suffix would you expect in a term meaning 'development of new blood vessels'?
angiotrophy
angiodystrophy
angiomegaly
angiogenesis
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.
Which type of muscle fiber is more prone to hypertrophy with resistance training?
Cardiac fibers
Smooth muscle fibers
Type II (fast-twitch)
Type I (slow-twitch)
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.
Which condition is characterized by dystrophic deposition of lipids in vessel walls?
Cardiac hypertrophy
Hypertensive heart disease
Atherosclerosis
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.
Which molecular marker is elevated in cardiac hypertrophy reflecting increased protein synthesis?
CK-MB
ANP (Atrial natriuretic peptide)
CRP (C-reactive protein)
Troponin I
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.
Which factor is most directly responsible for load-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy?
Myostatin overexpression
Satellite cell activation
Reduced IGF-1 signaling
Elevated cortisol levels
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.
Which gene mutation is associated with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?
?-myosin heavy chain (MYH7)
BRCA1
CFTR
Dystrophin (DMD)
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.
What distinguishes physiologic from pathologic hypertrophy at the cellular signaling level?
Wnt signaling vs. Notch pathway
p53 activation vs. p38 MAPK
JAK-STAT vs. RAS pathway
mTOR activation vs. calcineurin - NFAT 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.
In chronic kidney disease, which term best describes the adaptive increase in size of proximal tubule cells?
Compensatory hypertrophy
Renal dysplasia
Nephridia growth
Reactive hyperplasia
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.
Which imaging finding is most consistent with left ventricular hypertrophy?
Reduced ejection fraction
Increased wall thickness on echocardiogram
Pericardial effusion
Dilation of ventricular chamber only
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.
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.
Which experimental treatment blocks muscle hypertrophy by inhibiting the mTOR pathway?
Metformin
Dexamethasone
Insulin
Rapamycin
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.
Which of the following best explains cardiac concentric hypertrophy?
Decreased extracellular matrix
Increased apoptosis
Series addition of sarcomeres
Parallel addition of sarcomeres
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.
Which microRNA family is implicated in regulation of muscle hypertrophy?
let-7 family
miR-1 and miR-133
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.
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.
Which term describes muscle growth due to addition of contractile elements in series?
Hyperplasia
Eccentric hypertrophy
Myotrophy
Concentric hypertrophy
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.
Which enzyme's upregulation is a key marker of dietary protein - induced hypertrophy?
Cyclooxygenase-2
Caspase-3
S6 kinase
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.
Which transcription factor is critical for pathologic cardiac hypertrophy via calcineurin signaling?
NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T-cells)
FOXO3
SP1
GATA-1
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.
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.
Which epigenetic modification is linked to sustained cardiac hypertrophy gene expression?
Heterochromatin formation
miRNA-21 downregulation
Histone acetylation at fetal gene promoters
DNA methylation of rRNA genes
In pathologic hypertrophy, increased histone acetylation at promoters reactivates fetal gene programs. This epigenetic change supports maladaptive growth. Heterochromatin formation generally represses genes.
Which microenvironmental factor most strongly influences tumor cell trophic interactions?
Growth factor gradients
Static interstitial pressure
Extracellular matrix acidity
Oxygen diffusion alone
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.
Which novel therapeutic target aims to modulate muscle trophic balance in cachexia?
ACE2 enzyme
ActRIIB (activin receptor type IIB)
mTORC2 complex
PD-1 checkpoint
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.
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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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