Compensatory growth is a type of regenerative growth that can take place a number of human organs after the organs are either damaged, removed, or cease to function.[1] Additionally, increased functional demand can also stimulate this growth in tissues and organs.[2] The growth can be a result of increased cell size (compensatory hypertrophy) or an increase in cell division (compensatory hyperplasia) or both.[3] For instance, if one kidney is surgically removed, the cells of other kidney divide at an increased rate.[1] Eventually, the remaining kidney can grow until its mass approaches the combined mass of two kidneys.[1] Along with the kidneys, compensatory growth has also been characterized in a number of other tissues and organs including:
A large number of growth factors and hormones are involved with compensatory growth, but the exact mechanism is not fully understood and probably varies between different organs.[1] Nevertheless, angiogenic growth factors which control the growth of blood vessels are particularly important because blood flow significantly determines the maximum growth of an organ.[1]
Compensatory growth may also refer to the accelerated growth following a period of slowed growth, particularly as a result of nutrient deprivation.