HISTOCOMPATIBILITY Meaning and
Definition
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Histocompatibility is a term used in the field of immunology and transplantation to describe the process of matching or compatibility between tissues or organs in order to minimize the risks of rejection following transplantation. It refers to the ability of an organism to accept or tolerate tissues or cells from another individual without an immune response against them.
Histocompatibility is primarily determined by the compatibility of human leukocyte antigens (HLAs), which are proteins found on the surface of cells that serve as markers for the immune system to recognize self and non-self cells. These markers play a vital role in the immune response, as they help distinguish between foreign antigens and the body's own cells.
A high degree of histocompatibility between the donor and recipient is crucial for successful organ or tissue transplantation. The closer the match between HLAs, the lower the risk of rejection. This is because if the immune system recognizes a significant difference between the donor's HLAs and the recipient's own set of HLAs, it may mount an immune response to destroy the transplanted tissue or organ.
Histocompatibility testing is performed to assess the compatibility between individuals before transplantation. This involves analyzing the HLA markers of both potential donors and recipients to identify potential matches. These tests help evaluate the likelihood of compatibility and select the most suitable donor for a recipient, increasing the chances of a successful transplantation and reducing the risk of rejection.
Common Misspellings for HISTOCOMPATIBILITY
- gistocompatibility
- bistocompatibility
- nistocompatibility
- jistocompatibility
- uistocompatibility
- yistocompatibility
- hustocompatibility
- hjstocompatibility
- hkstocompatibility
- hostocompatibility
- h9stocompatibility
- h8stocompatibility
- hiatocompatibility
- hiztocompatibility
- hixtocompatibility
- hidtocompatibility
- hietocompatibility
- hiwtocompatibility
- hisrocompatibility
Etymology of HISTOCOMPATIBILITY
The word "histocompatibility" is derived from two components: "histo" and "compatibility".
- "Histo" is derived from the Greek word "histos" (ἱστός), meaning "tissue". It is commonly used as a prefix in medical terminology to refer to matters relating to tissues.
- "Compatibility" is derived from the Latin word "compatibilis", which means "capable of existing together harmoniously". The word is formed by combining "com-" (meaning "together" or "with") and "patibilis" (meaning "able to suffer" or "endure").
In the context of histocompatibility, the term refers to the degree of compatibility or ability to coexist harmoniously, especially in reference to the compatibility of tissues or organs in a transplantation setting.
