Definitions

1. noun

A reversible change in the type of cells in an organ or tissue, especially one that replaces normal cells with abnormal or precancerous cells.

“The doctor diagnosed a case of metaplasia in the patient’s esophagus, which could potentially develop into cancer.”

2. noun

A change in the type of cells in an organ or tissue that is not necessarily abnormal or precancerous.

“The researcher studied the effects of environmental factors on cellular metaplasia in various species.”