Autologous

/ɔːˈtɒləɡəs/ adjective

Definition

Originating from or derived from the same individual organism, particularly in medical contexts like transplants using a patient's own cells or tissue.

Etymology

From Greek 'auto-' (self) + 'logos' (word, reason, proportion), literally meaning 'of the same proportion.' The term evolved in medical science during the 20th century to describe biological materials from the same source.

Kelly Says

Autologous transplants are like your body's ultimate recycling program—doctors use your own cells to fix yourself, which means your immune system won't attack the transplant since it recognizes it as 'you.'

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