Heterogeneous
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
The term heterogeneous refers to something that differs in origin or composition. In histology, it describes tissues or cells formed from sources not typically involved in their production, such as bone tissue forming from cartilage through metaplasia. In immunology, heterogeneous antigens and antibodies refer to those that produce immune responses affecting multiple targets.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
HETEROGENEOUS (from the Greek heteros- other and genesis- birth, origin), different in origin. Applied to histology, the term heterogeneous is used when a particular cellular form or tissue originates not from the substrate that produces it, but from a source that usually does not participate in the production of this form. Thus, bone tissue is formed from osteoblasts, but it can also be formed by a "heterogeneous path"-metaplasia of cartilage tissue. In humoral pathology, proteins of other animals in relation to the protein of a given animal are heterogeneous and can cause anaphylactic phenomena (see). In the doctrine of tissue immunity, the term heterogeneous is used to denote a special group of antigens and antibodies. Heterogeneous antigens (see) are called non-specific antigens that cause the formation of antibodies not only against themselves but also against other specific antigens (Forssman). Accordingly, heterogeneous antibodies are those formed against cellular elements and tissues of various animals under the influence of immunization with the same antigen.
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“Heterogeneous.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/heterogeneous/