COAPT

Coapt is a verb used primarily in medical and scientific contexts to describe bringing two surfaces or edges into close contact and proper alignment. In wound management and surgical repair, to coapt means to approximate tissue edges so that they fit together with minimal gap, often using sutures, clamps, or adhesive methods to promote healing and restore function. The term emphasizes both alignment and contact between surfaces, which is critical for successful tissue healing and mechanical stability.

The related noun form, coaptation, refers to the act or result of coapping. Complete coaptation is typically the goal in procedures such as tendon repairs, nerve repairs, and certain cardiac or vascular surgeries, where precise apposition of tissues supports proper healing and function. In anatomy and physiology, coaptation can describe the intended contact between structures that must seal or function together, such as valve leaflets that must coapt to prevent regurgitation.

Etymology and usage: coapt derives from Latin coaptare, meaning to fit together. In modern medical language, coaptation carries a more specific sense of deliberate, precise contact between surfaces, as opposed to more general terms like approximation.

See also: coaptation, wound closure, tissue repair, suture techniques, valve coaptation.