Discomplexation
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
This article defines discomplexation as the loss of mutual connection between cells, a process observed in tissue development where epithelial cells are most tightly bound. It discusses how this tendency persists even after forced separation and how it is lost in blood and mobile tissue elements, while other cell forms retain it to varying degrees.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
DISCOMPLEXATION (from Lat. dis- a particle meaning separation, and complexus- connection), loss of mutual connection. In histology, discomplexation is understood as the process of gradual or sudden loss of connection by cells in the order of tissue development. Epithelial cells are the most closely knit (complex). Even when these cells are forcibly separated, their tendency to complexness does not disappear, and the latter manifests during cell multiplication, for example at the sites of transplantation (cytotropism of W. Roux). Mobile tissue elements and blood are completely devoid of complexness. Other cell forms possess this sign to varying degrees. When non-epithelial tissues with lesser complexness are formed from the germ layer epithelium, or when cells of the epithelium of formed organs lose mutual connection, as happens during the development of cancer, one speaks of discomplexation of epithelium. Since many embryologists consider epithelium the primary tissue in the development of animals, one can to a certain extent assume that all tissues of the organism are formed by the discomplexation of epithelium.
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Cite this page
“Discomplexation.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/discomplexation/