The Loop Theorem, often referred to in the context of topology and knot theory, states that for a given loop (or closed curve) in 3-dimensional space, if the loop does not intersect itself, it can be deformed (or "homotoped") to a simpler form—usually to a point or a standard circle—without leaving the surface it is contained within.
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If a boundary surface inclusion has noninjective fundamental group map, there is a compression disk whose boundary represents a nontrivial element of that kernel. More generally the boundary can be required to avoid a prescribed normal subgroup if a singular disk with that property exists.