The name is derived from the Greek: hypo, meaning low, and plasis, which refers to molding or forming.[2] The adjective form is hypoplastic.
Hypoplasia can be present in any tissue or organ. It is descriptive of many medical conditions such as:
Underdeveloped:
- breasts during puberty.
- testes in Klinefelter's syndrome.
- ovaries in Fanconi anemia, gonadal dysgenesis, trisomy X
- thymus in DiGeorge syndrome.
- labia majora in popliteal pterygium syndrome.
- cerebellum caused by mutation in the Reelin gene.
- tooth caused by oral pathology, such as Turner's hypoplasia.
- chambers of the of the heart in hypoplastic left heart syndrome and hypoplastic right heart syndrome
- optic nerve in optic nerve hypoplasia
- sacrum in sacral agenesis
- facial muscle in asymmetric crying facies
- thumb from birth.
- lungs, often as a result of oligohydramnios during gestation or the existence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
- small bowel in Coeliac disease