hypoplasia
noun
hy·po·pla·sia
ˌhī-pō-ˈplā-zh(ē-)ə 
: a condition of arrested development in which an organ or part remains below the normal size or in an immature state
Examples of hypoplasia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Doctors suspected Noah had been born with optic nerve hypoplasia, meaning his optic nerves were under-developed.
—
Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Designing for 360-Degree Inclusion Alie B. Gorrie is an arts educator and actor with low vision due to optic nerve hypoplasia, Alie began as an actor navigating inaccessible rehearsal rooms.
—Bill Schiffmiller, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
After consulting with multiple specialists, she was diagnosed with labial hypoplasia, a condition in which her outer labia were only partially formed.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025
For example, some people might be born with an extra lobe, while others might have hypoplasia, meaning a section is small.
—Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 5 Sep. 2024
Troyer had cartilage-hair hypoplasia, which inhibited his growth and contributed to his diminutive height.
—The Arizona Republic, 20 Apr. 2024
Four of the cats, Pistachio, Sherbet, Rocky Road and Chunky Monkey – the only one without cerebellar hypoplasia – have been adopted locally.
—The Enquirer, 14 Feb. 2024
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Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Designing for 360-Degree Inclusion Alie B. Gorrie is an arts educator and actor with low vision due to optic nerve hypoplasia, Alie began as an actor navigating inaccessible rehearsal rooms.
—Bill Schiffmiller, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
After consulting with multiple specialists, she was diagnosed with labial hypoplasia, a condition in which her outer labia were only partially formed.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 24 Mar. 2025
For example, some people might be born with an extra lobe, while others might have hypoplasia, meaning a section is small.
—Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 5 Sep. 2024
Troyer had cartilage-hair hypoplasia, which inhibited his growth and contributed to his diminutive height.
—The Arizona Republic, 20 Apr. 2024
Four of the cats, Pistachio, Sherbet, Rocky Road and Chunky Monkey – the only one without cerebellar hypoplasia – have been adopted locally.
—The Enquirer, 14 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Hypoplasia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypoplasia. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
hypoplasia
noun
hy·po·pla·sia
-ˈplā-zh(ē-)ə
: a condition of arrested development in which an organ or part remains below the normal size or in an immature state
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