Heteroplasties

/ˌhɛtərəʊˈplæstiz/ noun

Definition

Plural of heteroplasty; surgical procedures involving the transplantation of tissue from one individual to another of a different species.

Etymology

From Greek 'hetero-' (different) and 'plasty' (shaping/forming), with plural '-ies.' Adopted in surgical terminology to describe cross-species grafting.

Kelly Says

Surgeons have actually grafted pig heart valves into human patients—that's a heteroplasty, and it's one of the coolest ways modern medicine shows how we can use biology from different species to save human lives!

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