<unk>  (Greek: "change in form") is the reversible replacement of one differentiated cell type with another mature differentiated cell type.  The change from one type of cell to another is generally caused by some sort of abnormal stimulus.  In simplistic terms, it is as if the original cells are not robust enough to withstand the new environment, and so they change into another type more suited to the new environment.  If the stimulus that caused<unk>  is removed or ceases, tissues return to their normal pattern of differentiation.<unk>  is not synonymous with dysplasia and is not considered carcinogenesis.  It is also contrasted with heteroplasia, which is the abnormal growth of cytologic and histologic elements without a stimulus.
Metaplasia
Hyperplasia
Dysplasia
Atrophy
Hypoplasia
Hemihypertrophy
Anaplasia
Heterolysis