What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hypoplasia
Example
The patient was diagnosed with renal hypoplasia, which means their kidneys did not fully develop. [hypoplasia: noun]
Example
The baby was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which affects the development of the left side of the heart. [hypoplastic: adjective]
dysplasia
Example
The biopsy revealed cervical dysplasia, which can be a precursor to cervical cancer. [dysplasia: noun]
Example
The patient's skin showed signs of dysplastic nevi, which are atypical moles that can develop into melanoma. [dysplastic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dysplasia is a more commonly used term than hypoplasia in medical contexts, especially in relation to cancer screening and diagnosis.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hypoplasia and dysplasia?
Both hypoplasia and dysplasia are formal medical terms that are typically used in professional settings by healthcare providers and researchers.
