What does anaplasty mean?
Anaplasty is a surgical specialty devoted to the repair and reconstruction of body structures that have been damaged by injury, disease, or congenital conditions. The word derives from Greek roots meaning 'to mould anew', reflecting its aim of restoring the natural shape and function of tissues such as skin, cartilage, and bone. Historically prominent in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century medicine — particularly in the treatment of war injuries and facial disfigurement — anaplasty is essentially the earlier name for what modern medicine calls plastic or reconstructive surgery. Today the term survives mainly in older medical literature, dictionaries, and historical accounts, having been almost entirely supplanted by its newer synonym. It carries a formal, technical register, and readers are most likely to meet it in etymological discussions or classic surgical texts rather than contemporary hospital practice, where 'reconstructive surgery' is standard.
nounAnaplasty is the branch of surgery concerned with repairing or reconstructing missing or damaged tissue and body parts, especially to restore form or function; it is now more commonly known as plastic surgery.
- The surgical repair or reconstruction of damaged, diseased, or missing body parts, particularly to restore normal form or function; an older term largely superseded by 'plastic surgery'.
"The surgeon specialised in anaplasty, rebuilding the patient's injured hand with remarkable precision."
"Advances in anaplasty allowed soldiers disfigured in battle to regain both function and dignity."
"The textbook devoted an entire chapter to anaplasty of the ear and nose."
The plural is rare, appearing mainly in medical or historical texts referring to multiple reconstructive procedures.
"The journal reviewed several anaplasties performed on burn victims."
Before 'plastic surgery' became a household phrase, surgeons called their craft 'anaplasty' — literally the art of moulding the human body back into shape.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anaplasty
Anaplasty comes from the Greek 'ana-' (meaning 'again' or 'back') combined with 'plastos' ('moulded' or 'formed'), giving the sense of 'remoulding' or reshaping the body. It entered English medical vocabulary via Latin and New Latin scientific usage, becoming established as a formal term for restorative surgery in the nineteenth century. It shares its root with 'plastic' (in the sculpting sense) and with other surgical terms such as rhinoplasty, all ultimately tracing back to the Greek verb 'plassein', to mould or form. Over time the broader term 'plastic surgery' displaced anaplasty in common use.
Related word forms
How anaplasty is actually used
Anaplasty is a formal, technical, and somewhat dated term. In modern clinical and everyday usage, 'plastic surgery' or 'reconstructive surgery' has almost entirely replaced it, so encountering 'anaplasty' today usually signals historical, literary, or older medical texts.
Easily confused with anaplasty
Anaplasia is a pathological term describing cells that have reverted to an immature, undifferentiated form (as in cancer), whereas anaplasty is surgical reconstruction of body parts.
Anaesthesia is the loss of sensation induced during medical procedures, while anaplasty is reconstructive surgery itself.