What does transplantation mean?
Transplantation is the transfer of a living body, such as an organ, tissue, cell, or plant, from one location to another, with the intention of preserving or improving its growth or function. In medicine, it commonly refers to replacing a diseased organ with a healthy donor organ, although transplantation also includes procedures involving bone marrow, skin, corneas, and stem cells. The term can describe either the operation itself or the broader medical field devoted to such procedures. Outside medicine, transplantation may refer to moving plants or other organisms to a new site, and it can sometimes describe the relocation of people or communities. The word carries a strongly technical and often hopeful connotation, especially when organ transplantation is discussed. It is useful because it distinguishes the deliberate transfer of living material from ordinary transportation or relocation, and it is central vocabulary in medicine, biology, horticulture, and the study of migration.
nounThe act or process of transferring an organ, tissue, cell, plant, or other living material from one site or organism to another. The term is used most commonly in medicine, especially for the replacement of a diseased organ or damaged tissue.
- The transfer of an organ, tissue, cell, or other biological material from a donor site to another site in the same or a different organism.
- The act or process of moving a plant or other organism to a new place for growth or cultivation.
- The transfer of a person, population, or community to a new location.
"The hospital has become a center of excellence for kidney transplantation."
"The patient recovered well after transplantation of a healthy kidney."
"Careful transplantation of the seedlings into prepared beds helped them survive the cold season."
The plural is used for individual transplantation operations or procedures, especially when discussing medical histories or comparing cases.
"The study compared the outcomes of two kidney transplantations."
The first successful human organ transplant, involving a kidney, was performed in 1954, opening the way for modern transplantation medicine.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does transplantation come from?
Transplantation derives from Latin transplantare, a compound of trans-, meaning “across,” and plantare, meaning “to plant.” The English noun was formed during the early modern period and initially developed in botanical and biological contexts before becoming especially prominent in medicine. The same Latin root underlies transplant, transplantable, and transplanter, while the connected word plant preserves the underlying idea of putting something into the ground.
How transplantation is actually used
In modern usage, transplantation most often refers to the medical replacement of organs or tissues. It is generally a formal, technical term, although related senses can be used figuratively when describing the relocation of people or communities.
Easily confused with transplantation
Implantation usually means placing a device, embryo, or other object in a body, whereas transplantation specifically involves transferring donor tissue or an organ to another site.
Transportation is the movement of people or goods from one place to another, while transplantation generally refers to transferring living tissue, organs, or organisms.