Which term is used to describe abnormal development or growth of cells, tissues, or organs?

The term that describes abnormal development or growth of cells, tissues, or organs is dysplasia. Dysplasia specifically refers to the disordered growth and maturation of cells, which can lead to changes in the structure and function of these tissues. This condition is often observed in pre-cancerous changes in tissues and indicates that the cells are undergoing abnormal transformations, which can be related to various health conditions.

In contrast, aplasia refers to the failure of an organ or tissue to develop or function normally, while hypoplasia signifies an incomplete or underdeveloped tissue, resulting in smaller than normal sizes. Hyperplasia, on the other hand, describes an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ, which can lead to enlargement but does not imply that the development is abnormal in the same way dysplasia does. Thus, dysplasia is specifically linked to abnormalities in the growth and maturation processes.