autologous
Derived or obtained from the same individual's body, especially for subsequent reinjection, transplantation, or transfusion.
Used to describe procedures where the donor and the recipient are the exact same person, eliminating the risk of immune rejection.
Word relationships
- self-derived: A lay term that is rarely used in formal medical charts or scientific literature.
- allogeneic: Refers to blood or tissue donated by another individual of the same species.
Commonly confused with
- homologous: Homologous means having the same relation or structure, whereas autologous specifically means originating from the self.
Word family
- autologue (noun): A tissue or blood sample obtained from the patient's own body.
Collocations
- autologous transfusion
- autologous donation
- autologous stem cell transplant
Example sentences
- "The surgeon recommended an autologous blood donation three weeks before the scheduled hip replacement." Pre-operative planning
Memory hook
Auto- means self (like an autobiography), so an autologous donation is a self-donation. Auto (self) + logous (relation).
When not to use
Do not use when blood or tissue comes from another person, even if they are an identical twin (which is syngeneic or allogeneic).
Fun facts
- Athletes who engage in illegal 'blood doping' often use autologous transfusions of their own stored red blood cells to boost oxygen delivery without triggering drug tests.
Related words
Explore more words
autoimmune, autonomous, self-reliant, self-directed, autonomy, autarky
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