Which medical term describes an abnormal growth of tissue?

Neoplasm is the correct term for an abnormal growth of tissue. This term refers to any new and abnormal formation of tissue, which can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Neoplasms arise from uncontrolled cellular proliferation that can occur in various tissues throughout the body. Understanding this is crucial in healthcare, as identifying neoplasms can lead to further investigation and treatment, depending on their nature and implications for patient health.

The other terms do not accurately describe an abnormal growth of tissue. Inflammation refers to the body's response to injury or infection, characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain, rather than a distinct growth. Hyperplasia involves an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ, leading to its enlargement; while it can be a precursor to neoplastic changes, it does not specifically refer to abnormal growth in the context of tumorous formations. Atrophy describes the decrease in the size of an organ or tissue due to a reduction in the number of cells, which is opposite to what is indicated in the question.