Plication

Plication is a term derived from the Latin plicare, meaning to fold. In scientific usage, plication denotes the act or result of folding, pleating, or duplicating a structure. The word is used across disciplines to describe forms created by bending or compressing tissue or material, whether as a natural feature or as a deliberate modification.

In anatomy and histology, plication describes folds and ridges that form on membranes or mucosal surfaces. A classic example is the plicae circulares in the small intestine, which are circular folds that increase surface area for absorption. More generally, plication can refer to any folding of tissue, mucosa, or membranes that alters their shape or function.

In botany, plication refers to leaves that are folded or pleated along one or more lines, producing a ridged or laminated appearance. Plicate leaves may arise from specific developmental patterns or environmental influences and are used as a descriptive character in plant taxonomy.

In developmental biology, plication describes tissue folding during morphogenesis, a process that, together with invagination, bending, and elongation, helps shape developing organs and structures in the embryo.

In medicine and surgery, plication is a procedural concept in which tissue is folded or sutured to shorten, tighten, or reduce the volume of a structure. Gastric plication, for example, is a bariatric technique that reduces stomach capacity by folding its walls, with other plication procedures used in various surgical contexts. The exact meaning of plication depends on the disciplinary context.