In situ

In situ is a Latin phrase meaning in place. It is used in many different contexts.

Contents

Biology

In biology, in situ means to examine the phenomenon exactly in place where it occurs (without removing it in some special medium etc.). Usually means something intermediate between in vivo and in vitro. For example, examining a cell within a whole organ intact and under perfusion may mean in situ investigation. This is not obviously in vivo experimenting because an animal is sacrificed, but it is not the same as working with the cell alone (which may be a perfect case of an in vitro experiment).

Environmental engineering

In situ can refer to where a clean up or remediation of a polluted site is performed using and simulating the natural processes in the soil, contrary to ex situ where contaminated soil is excavated and cleaned elsewhere, off site.

Literature

In literature in situ is used to describe a condition. The Rosetta Stone, for example, was originally erected in a courtyard, for public viewing. Most pictures of the famous stone are not "in-situ" pictures of it erected, as it would have been originally. The stone was uncovered as part of building material, within a wall. Its in situ condition today is that it is erected, vertically, on public display at the British Museum.

See also