Which process leads to enlargement of tissue that is reversible?

Hyperplasia is the process that leads to an increase in the number of cells within a tissue, resulting in tissue enlargement that is typically reversible once the stimulus for the increase is removed. This condition occurs in response to a variety of stimuli, such as hormonal changes or increased functional demand. For instance, glandular tissues may undergo hyperplasia due to hormonal stimulation, like the proliferation of the endometrium during the menstrual cycle or the enlargement of the prostate gland in response to increased testosterone.

In contrast, hypertrophy refers to the increase in the size of existing cells, rather than an increase in their number, and while it can also be reversible, it generally refers to growth due to sustained demand rather than a cellular response to stimulation. Metaplasia is a process where one differentiated cell type is replaced by another, usually in response to chronic irritation or inflammation, and while it can also be reversible, it implies a change in cell type rather than an increase in cell quantity. Aplasia is a condition where there is a complete failure of an organ or tissue to develop, which is not reversible. Therefore, hyperplasia is clearly recognized as the reversible enlargement of tissue through an increase in cell number.