Mislocated

Mislocated is an adjective describing something that is not in its expected or correct position. It is used across various disciplines to indicate that an object, structure, or point of reference has been placed or found in an incorrect location. The term emphasizes deviation from a defined norm or standard of position, rather than a specific type of displacement.

In medicine and anatomy, mislocated commonly refers to tissues, devices, or anatomical structures that are not in their usual place. Examples include mislocated prosthetic components after surgery, mislocated catheters or feeding tubes, or mislocated implants. Mislocation can arise from trauma, surgical error, congenital anomalies, or abnormal migration of cells or fluids. Correct identification is important for diagnosis and treatment, often using imaging studies to determine the true location.

In archaeology, paleontology, and geology, mislocation can describe artefacts, fossils, or samples found away from their expected stratigraphic layer or geographic origin, which can complicate dating, provenance assessment, and interpretation of site histories. In data management and geospatial contexts, mislocation refers to incorrect coordinates for a point, leading to mapping errors and spatial analyses that rely on accurate position data.

Related terms include mislocalization, misplacement, and dislocation. The concept is distinguished from precise localization, which denotes correct placement within a defined reference frame.