Implantation

Implantation (from Latin implantare - to implant), transfer, transplantation to a new place with subsequent engraftment of both individual cells and parts of various tissues, as well as entire organs. Some authors apply the term I. to artificial transplantation of tissue and organ pieces performed in the same subject; however, at present the term autoplastic transplantation is much more common for this, or, if it concerns the re-implantation of a removed organ back into its original place (e.g., a tooth), re-implantation. The term I. should be used to denote cases where cellular material is transferred and engrafted in the body, for example, I. of an egg cell into the uterine mucosa or I. of a fallen corpus luteum into the abdominal cavity. I. of tumor particles can occur from place to place by contact (for example, cancer of the lower lip can be implanted into the upper lip), or tumor particles that have entered the serous cavity can be implanted on serous surfaces (e.g., seeding of a tumor on the peritoneum). In addition to such spontaneous I. of cells and their groups in the body, artificial, though accidental, I. can also occur, for example, of tumor particles during operations on them. - The term I. is also applied to the artificial introduction into animals for experimental purposes of various cellular materials, pieces of tissues, etc., for example, I. into the abdominal cavity or into the anterior chamber of the eye of parts of an embryo. - In surgery, I. is called the introduction for therapeutic purposes of various solid substances into tissues, for example, I. of nails into bones for their fixation.