cataplasia

9.9

Body cells change back to a simpler, less specialized form

noun
/ˌkætəˈpleɪziə/

Specialized

: cataplasia

The biopsy revealed cataplasia in the affected tissue, indicating a return to a more primitive cell type.

Examples

Researchers are studying how cataplasia contributes to the progression of certain degenerative diseases.
The doctor diagnosed her condition as cataplasia.
Chronic inflammation can sometimes trigger cataplasia in previously healthy tissue.
Many researchers are studying cataplasia in tissue regeneration.
Chronic inflammation can sometimes trigger cataplasia in previously healthy tissue.
The biopsy revealed cataplasia in the affected tissue, indicating a return to a more primitive cell type.
Researchers are studying how cataplasia contributes to the progression of certain degenerative diseases.

Synonyms

degeneration

vscataplasia

Specialized

8 6.7

A process in which a living part, like an organ, becomes simpler and less useful

is specifically about tissue reverting to a less differentiated primitive state

dedifferentiation

vscataplasia

Specialized

9.9

A process in which cells that had a special job lose that job and become more basic

is limited to pathological tissue reversion rather than general cell change

Surface Forms

cataplasia singular

cataplasias plural

Morphology

cataplasia = plasia (opaque) = cata + plasia

Formed from Greek medical combining elements (cata- + -plasia) that are specialist morphemes and not transparently meaningful to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Cataplasia comes from the Greek parts cata- 'down' and -plasia 'formation', the same root you see in plastic ('to form'). So cataplasia suggests tissue 'going down' to a simpler or more primitive form, which is why doctors use it for cells that have become more basic in certain degenerative conditions.