Facial Prosthetics Definitions
Ala Nasi: In anatomy, the cartilaginous processes forming the wing-like flares of each nares.
Auricular: Pertaining to an auricle or to the ear, and formerly, to an atrium of the heart.
Anaplastologist: An individual who designs, fabricates and fits custom prostheses for the face and/or body. (Also see MAP Anaplastologist).
Anesthetized: Made numb or insensible.
Basal Cell: A type of cell found in the deepest layer of skin.
Benign: Of no danger to health.
Biopsy: The removal and examination of a sample of tissue from a living body for diagnostic purposes.
Carcinoma: An invasive malignant tumor derived from skin tissue.
Cauterized: To sear closed.
Conformer: Plastic shell sometimes used as temporary "false eye" after removal of an eye; placed under eyelids (over buried implant) to preserve their shape. Will later be replaced by a permanent prosthesis.
Congenital: Existing at, and usually before, birth; referring to conditions that are present at birth, irrespective of their causation.
Curetted: Scrapped away with a sharp spoon-like instrument.
Goldenhar Syndrome: Goldenhar is the irregularity of the jaw, cheek and ear associated with vertebral defects. There is syndrome includes the following symptoms: deformity of the external ear, abnormal smallness of that half of the face, cleft of the upper eyelid is frequent. The ear deformities range from tags in front of the ear, to atresia (closure) of the external auditory canal, abnormalities in the size and shape of the ear, and even anotia (absence of the ear). The condition was documented in 1952 by Maurice Goldenhar.
Hemifacial / Craniofacial Microsomia: A congenital syndrome with underdevelopment of the face on one side. Features include low-set ears, short jaw, small chin (micrognathia), chin deviation, occlusal cant (bite angled up or down), and anterior open bite. Associated abnormalities may include ear malformations, cranial nerve disorders, cleft palate or kidney maldevelopment.
Impression material: Any substance or combination of substances used to make an impression or negative reproduction.
Lymphatic system: The interconnected system of nodes and vessels between body tissue and organs by which lymph fluid circulates throughout the body.
Lymph node: Any of the small bodies located along the lymphanic vessels, particularly at the neck, armpit and groin, that filter bacteria and foreign particles from lymph fluid.
Lymph gland: Lymph node.
Malignant: Life threatening, cancerous.
Melanocyte: Pigment cell of the skin.
MAP Anaplastologist: A Medical Art Prosthetics anaplastologist with formal clinical training and experience in extraoral maxillofacial prosthetics who specializes in facial and somato prosthetics.
Metastasize: To spread, especially destructively.
Microphthalmia: Abnormally small eyeball.
Microtia: An abnormally small ear. The term "microtia" usually refers to a congenitally small external ear. The visible part of the ear is abnormally small but it is not entirely absent. Absence of the ear is called "anotia." These conditions may be involved with other syndromes such as Treacher-Collins or hemifacial microsomia.
Nasal prosthesis: A removable prosthesis that artificially restores part or all of the nose.
Nasion: A bony cephalometric landmark at which the nasofrontal suture is bisected by the midsagittal plane.
Obturator prosthesis modification: Revision or alteration of an existing obturator (surgical, interim, or definitive); possible revisions include relief of the denture base caused bytissue compression and augmentation if the seal or border regions to effect adequate sealing or separation between the nasal and oral cavities.
Ocular prosthesis: Artificial eye usually made of hard acrylic that restores the eye. Ocular prosthesis is often created as separate component that is incorporated into an orbital prosthesis for a complete restoration.
Orbit: Pyramidal shaped cavity in the skull, about 2 inches deep, and lined by the orbit bones; contains the eyeball, its muscles, blood supply, nerve supply and fat.
Orbital prosthesis: Prosthesis that restores the orbit including the eyelids and surrounding soft tissue contours, the eyelashes and sometimes the eyebrow.
O-ring: A type of washer or gasket made from rubber.
Prosthesis: 1. An artificial replacement of an absent part of the human body. 2. A therapeutic device to improve or alter function. 3. A device used to aid in accomplishing a desired surgical result.
Prosthetics: The art and science of supllying artificial replacemetns for missing parts of the human body.
Prosthodontics: The branch of dentistry pertaining to the restoration and maintenance of oral function, comfort, appearance, and health of the patient by the restoration of natural teeth and/or the replacement of missing teeth and contiguous oral and maxillofacial tissues with artificial substitutes.
Prosthodontist: A dental specialist who has special training in the replacement of parts of the mouth and face with artificial devices (prostheses) such as special kind of dentures.
Rhinectomy: Surgical excision of the nose.
Rhinoplasty: Surgical operation on the nose, reconstructive, restorative or cosmetic.
Silicone: Giant molecular structures cinsisting of a skeletal backbone of alternate silicon and oxygen atoms with organic groups, such as methyl, phenyl, or vinyl attached to the silicon atoms. Silicone products are produced in the form of fluids, resins, and rubbery polymers. From these basic products greaselike compounds, greases, emulsions, adhesives, heatcured rubber, room-temperature curing rubber, water repellents, and many other materials are made and find wide uses throughout industry and the home.
Surgical Oncologist: A surgeon who has special training in the surgical treatment of cancer.
Tumor: A swelling or a new growth of tissue in which the multiplication of cells is uncontrolled and progressive. Tumors may be benign or malignant (cancerous).