What does "HYPERPLASIA" refer to in medical terminology?

Hyperplasia refers to an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ, which results in an expansion and enlargement of the tissue. This process often occurs in response to various stimuli such as hormonal changes or increased functional demand. It is distinct from other processes involving the tissue, such as hypertrophy, where the size of existing cells increases without a change in cell number.

In the context of the options, "excessive tissue" accurately describes the outcome of hyperplasia, as this process leads to an increase in the overall mass or volume of the tissue due to the proliferation of cells. Examples of hyperplasia can be seen in conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, where the prostate gland enlarges due to an increase in the number of cells.

The other options do not align with the definition of hyperplasia. Reduction of tissue would involve atrophy, indicating a decrease in cell size or number. Normal tissue suggests a standard state without abnormal changes, and inflamed tissue typically refers to a state characterized by swelling, redness, and pain due to an immune response, which is fundamentally different from hyperplasia.