Autogeeninen

Autogeeninen, or autogenous in English, is a term used in several disciplines to indicate that something originates from or is produced by the same individual or material, rather than from an external source. The word comes from Greek autos “self” and genes “origin, birth.” It contrasts with terms such as allogeneic or xenogeneic, which describe sources from other individuals or species, or with synthetic origins.

In medicine and biology, autogenous grafts or transplants use tissue harvested from the same individual. This reduces the risk of immune rejection and disease transmission. Common examples include autogenous bone grafts to promote healing after fractures or for dental implants, and autogenous skin grafts used in burn treatment.

In dentistry, autogenous bone grafts are frequently obtained from intraoral sites (for example, the jaw) or from extraoral sites (such as the iliac crest) and used to augment deficient bone for implants or periodontal therapy.

In welding and metalworking, autogenous welding refers to welding without any added filler material. The process relies on fusion of the base metals and is chosen for compatible materials and joint designs, offering advantages in speed and purity but limits in the range of materials and thickness that can be welded.

In mining and mineral processing, autogenous grinding uses the ore itself as the grinding media, reducing the need for external grinding media and potentially lowering costs for suitable ore types.

The term’s precise meaning varies by field, but the core idea is production or origination within the same source rather than from an external or foreign source.