What type of graft is referred to as a xenograft?

A xenograft specifically refers to a graft taken from a different species. This means that the tissue used in the grafting process comes from a donor animal or organism that is not of the same species as the recipient. For instance, animal tissues are often used in xenografts for various medical applications, including skin grafts and heart valve replacements.

The use of xenografts can be advantageous in certain situations, such as when human donor tissues are scarce or when a different type of tissue offers particular benefits in healing or integration. Understanding this term is essential in the context of transplantation, as it sets the foundation for differentiating between types of grafts involved in various surgical procedures.

In contrast, other types of grafts, such as allografts (from one individual to another of the same species), autografts (from one site to another in the same individual), and isografts (between genetically identical individuals such as identical twins), categorize grafts based on the source and relationship of the donor to the recipient.