Cellular Adaptations — Hyperplasia, Hypertrophy

A 35-year-old woman with primary biliary cholangitis undergoes liver biopsy, showing marked proliferation of bile duct epithelium in response to chronic cholestasis. Simultaneously, a 42-year-old man with chronic alcohol use disorder shows hepatocyte enlargement without increase in cell number. Which cellular adaptation best explains the difference between these two findings?

A 28-year-old primigravida at 32 weeks gestation presents for routine antenatal care. Ultrasound shows a normally grown fetus with no structural anomalies. The patient asks about the physiologic changes in her heart and uterus during pregnancy. Her obstetrician explains that both organs undergo significant enlargement. A follow-up echocardiogram shows left ventricular hypertrophy and increased chamber dimensions. What is the most appropriate next step in management of the cardiac changes?

A 38-year-old woman with a history of repeated pregnancies and lactation presents with breast tissue enlargement. Histology shows increased number of lobules and acini. Which is the most common stimulus for mammary gland hyperplasia in women of reproductive age?

A 52-year-old man with long-standing hypertension presents with dyspnea and is found to have left ventricular hypertrophy on echocardiography. Regarding the cellular and molecular basis of cardiac hypertrophy in this condition, all of the following are true EXCEPT:

Which of the following is the primary mechanism by which cardiac myocytes undergo hypertrophy in response to chronic hypertension?