The term “autologous” is often used in the medical field, but what does it actually mean? In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of autologous, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and examples of its use in a sentence.
Definitions
Autologous refers to something that originates in or is derived from the same individual’s body. This can include tissues, cells, or organs that are transplanted or used in medical treatment. It is also used to describe blood transfusions where the blood comes from the same person who will receive it.
Origin
The word “autologous” comes from the Greek words “auto,” meaning “self,” and “logos,” meaning “word” or “reason.” The term was first used in the medical field in the early 20th century to describe the use of a patient’s own blood for transfusions.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to Merriam-Webster, autologous means “derived from the same individual’s body.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “relating to or denoting cells or tissues that are obtained from the same individual.”
Associations
Autologous is often associated with medical procedures such as bone marrow transplants, skin grafts, and blood transfusions. It is also commonly used in research studies that involve the use of a patient’s own cells or tissues.
Synonyms
Synonyms for autologous include self-derived, self-generated, and autogenous.
Antonyms
Antonyms for autologous include allogeneic, meaning derived from a different individual of the same species, and xenogeneic, meaning derived from a different species.
The same root words
Words with the same root as autologous include autobiography, autocracy, and automatic. All of these words have the Greek root “auto,” meaning “self.”
Example Sentences
- The patient received an autologous bone marrow transplant to treat their leukemia.
- The surgeon used an autologous skin graft to repair the patient’s burn wounds.
- The study is investigating the safety and efficacy of using autologous stem cells for heart disease treatment.