What does hyperplasia indicate?

Hyperplasia refers to an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ, leading to its enlargement. This process typically occurs in response to a stimulus and can be a normal physiological response, such as during pregnancy when breast tissue undergoes hyperplasia to support lactation. The key aspect of hyperplasia is that it involves normal cells growing in a regulated manner, as opposed to uncontrolled growth, which would be indicative of conditions such as cancer.

The other options do not accurately describe hyperplasia. Decreased cell death relates to the balance of cell turnover, whereas hyperplasia is specifically about increased cell production. Abnormal growth of tissue usually refers to dysplasia or neoplasia, which involve altered cell structure and behavior, rather than the normal increase seen in hyperplasia. Finally, reduced elasticity in the skin pertains to changes in the skin's structure and composition, not the cellular proliferation characteristic of hyperplasia.