The development of abnormal tissue growth, where body tissue transforms into a different type of tissue in an unusual location.
From Greek 'hetero-' (different) and 'plasis' (formation/growth). Emerged in medical and pathological terminology in the 19th century.
This is when your body gets confused and grows the wrong type of tissue in the wrong place—like if bone started growing in your muscle, or cartilage appeared in your organ—and it's why doctors study cell biology so carefully!
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