What is the condition called where there is a total lack of growth of a structure?

The term that signifies a total lack of growth or development of a particular structure is known as aplasia. This condition occurs when cells that are supposed to form a specific tissue or organ fail to develop entirely, resulting in the absence of that structure. For instance, when aplasia occurs in the bone marrow, it can lead to serious health consequences due to the lack of blood cell production.

In contrast, hypoplasia refers to an incomplete development or underdevelopment of a tissue or organ, which still suggests some level of growth but not to the standard expected. Hypertrophy involves an increase in the size of existing cells, leading to an enlargement of an organ or tissue, while hyperplasia denotes an increase in the number of cells, which can also expand tissue size. Each of these terms describes alterations in growth processes, but only aplasia specifically indicates a total absence of development.