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Abdomen: The portion of the body that lies between the chest and the pelvis (stomach area).
Abdominoplasty: A surgical procedure to remove fat and excess skin from the abdomen (tummy tuck).
Abdominoplasty (Major): Removal and reduction of excess skin and fat from the entire abdomen (belly) and often with tightening of the front abdominal muscles. The belly button is relocated.
Abdominoplasty (Mini): Removal and reduction of excess skin and fat from the abdomen (belly) below the belly button. Often the front abdominal muscles below the belly button are tightened and the belly button is not relocated.
Adipose Tissue: Fatty tissue.
Aesthetic Rhinoplasty: (Nose job) Cosmetic surgical alteration of the nose.
Ala: Flaring outer rim of each nostril of the nose.
Alloplastic: An inert foreign body or implant used for implantation into tissue. (Inert = Does not react with other elements.)
Allograft: A graft of tissue between one individual and another of the same species (person to person).
Alopecia: Baldness.
Anchor Mastopexy: (Standard) This technique to lift the breast results in scars in the shape of an anchor on the breast (around the nipple areola, down the front of the breast, and under the breast in the inframammary fold). (The length of the scar in the inframammary fold is variable.)
Anesthesia: Loss of feeling or sensation.
Anterior: Usually refers to the front.
Areola: Darker pigmented circle of skin surrounding the nipple.
Atrophy: A wasting away or the decrease in the size of a tissue or part.
Augmentation Mammaplasty: (Breast augmentation) Enlargement or augmentation of the breasts by inserting implants (saline or silicone) in the breast tissue.
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Autologous Fat Transfer: (Fat injections) A surgical procedure where fat is removed from one area of the body and injected or replaced in another area. Often it is used to augment an area by providing volume, or to soften a wrinkle or crease.
Basal Cell Carcinoma: A common type of skin cancer.
Benelli Mastopexy: (Circumareolar) This technique to lift the breast results in scars completely around the areola.
Benign: Not cancerous.
Bilateral: Both Sides.
Biopsy: The removal of tissue.
Blepharoplasty: A surgical procedure to remove excess skin and / or fat from the upper and / or lower lids. Generally, the incisions are on the outside of the eyelid.
(Transconjuctival Blepharoplasty): The removal of fat from the lower lids through an incision made inside the lower lid, not on the external skin.
Body Contour Surgery: Surgery to change the contour of the body, usually by the removal of fat and or skin. Sometimes implants are placed to change the contour of the body.
Bone Graft: The use of a piece of bone to place in or .graft. to another site.
Breast Augmentation (or Augmentation Mammaplasty): Enlargement of the breast using implants.
Breast Cancer: Cancer of the breast (carcinoma).
Breast Implant Exchange: Removal of breast implants and exchange with new implants.
Breast Implants: Implantable devices used to enlarge the breast. (Breast implants are usually saline or silicone.)
Breast Reconstruction: A general term that usually means the reconstruction of a breast after surgery to remove or treat cancer. It can also mean a surgical procedure on the breast to revise the results of another breast surgery, complication from breast implants, etc.
Breast Reduction: (Reduction mammaplasty) A surgical procedure where the size of the breast is reduced. There are various patterns of scarring resulting from these techniques with probably the most common, in the shape of an anchor. Generally, the breast is also lifted and the nipple areola complex is made smaller and at a better, higher location.
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Browplasty: (Browlift) A surgical procedure where drooping eyebrows are lifted to a more youthful location to improve the appearance of the eyes. Hairlines can be repositioned lower or higher, forehead wrinkles can be modified and softened. Incisions can be made at the hairline (forehead), within the hairline (coronal), or with several small incisions (endoscopic).
Buccal: Medical term for defining the anatomic area of the .cheek. (often used for buccal fat pad removal, which is removal of a fat pad in the cheek region to decrease the size of the cheeks).
Buttock Lift: Lifting of the buttock tissue.
Calcification: Tissue, which can be hardened due to the deposit of calcium within its substance.
Calvarium: Skull bone.
Canthopexy: A surgical procedure to tighten, reposition, or suspend a weak, unstable, or drooping lower eyelid.
Canthotomy: The surgical release of the canthus.
Canthus: The angled portion at either end of the opening between the eyelids.
Capsular Contracture: The most common complication of breast implant surgery. Scar tissue (capsule) forms around the implant after everyone.s surgery. Sometimes this scar contracts (contracture) and tightens to cause distortion, hardness, and pain.
Capsulectomy: Surgical procedure to remove the capsule around the breast implant to provide relief of symptoms such as distortion, hardness, and pain.
Carcinoma: Cancer.
Carcinoma In Situ: A very early stage of cancer where the tumor cells still lie within the superficial layer (within the epithelium without invasion of the basement membrane).
Cartilage: A specialized, fibrous connective tissue. (This type of tissue is found in the nose, ears, joints, and the ribs among other areas.)
Cartilage Grafts: The removal and placement (grafting) of cartilage from one part of the body to another.
Cellulitis: Infection of the tissues, which is usually associated with redness, increased warmth, and pain.
Cervical Lymph Nodes: Lymph nodes in the neck region.
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Cervicomental Angle: The angle between the chin and the neck.
Chairside Bleaching (Zooming): Teeth whitening process which uses a protective gel for gums and a rubber shield to protect soft tissue. Next, a bleaching agent is applied to the teeth, and a special light is used to enhance the action of the agent.
Cheiloplasty: Surgery of the lip(s).
Chemical Peel: The use of various chemicals to remove layers of the skin that allows resurfacing. (Chemical peels are usually used to treat pigmentation, texture or wrinkling problems.)
Chemotherapy: A treatment of disease by chemical agents (usually referring to treatment of cancer).
Chin Implant: An implant placed in the tissues to enlarge the chin.
Cicatricial: Pertaining to scar tissue.
Cleft Lip: A birth defect where there is a cleft fissure or elongated dividing or opening of the lip.
Cleft Palate: A birth defect where there is a cleft fissure or elongated dividing or opening of the palate (roof of the mouth).
Closed Rhinoplasty: All incisions to perform the rhinoplasty are made inside the nose (unless the ala .nostril wings. are reduced).
Collagen: A fibrous protein, which provides the main support of the skin.
Composite Graft: A graft, which contains more than one type of tissue (i.e. skin and cartilage).
Compression Garments: Used to compress a particular area of the body (often used after liposuction).
Concha: An anatomic area of the ear made of cartilage (often pieces of cartilage are taken from this area for use in the nose).
Congenital: Usually refers to conditions present at birth.
Congenital Anomalies: Usually refers to abnormal conditions at birth.
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Connective Tissue: Various tissues of the body, which supports various structures of the body.
Connective Tissue disorders: Irregularities or disease of the connective tissue.
Contractures: The contraction or tightening of tissue. (Capsular contracture is the tightening of the capsular tissue surrounding the implant of the breast.)
Corticosteroid: A steroid, which is found in the adrenal cortex of the body and commonly used for medical purposes.
Cortisone: A chemical/steroid often used as an anti-inflammatory.
Crescent Mastopexy: This is a surgical technique to lift the breast, which results in a scar at the top half of the areola.
Cricoid Cartilage: A small ring shaped cartilage in the lower neck below the thyroid cartilage.
Cupid.s Bow: The central curved border (shape of an M) of the upper lip below the nose.
Debridement: Surgical or non-surgical removal of contaminated, unhealthy, dead tissue or foreign substances from an area or tissue.
Denervation: Resection of, or removal of, the nerves or their function to an organ or part.
Depilation: To remove hair from. (Laser depilation or waxing, etc.)
Dermabrasion: A surgical procedure where the superficial surface of the skin is removed in a controlled fashion, .sanding away., to improve the appearance of the skin. It is usually used to improve texture, wrinkling, or pigmentation issues.
Dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin.
Dermatolipectomy: Surgical procedure to remove skin and fat.
Dermis: Layer of skin below the epidermis (which is the superficial layer of skin). The dermis contains the glands, hair follicles, and blood supply to the skin.
Dorsum (Nose): Anatomic portion of the nose (top), which extends the length of the nose and is made up of bone and cartilage.
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Dressings: Covering material used to protect, cover or treat a wound.
Dry Eye Syndrome: Excessive dryness of the eyes causing irritation, burning and itching.
Ectropion: More advanced deformity from scleral show (see definition). The lower lid is actually unstable and turns outward with more prominent scleral show.
(Cicatricial ectropion): Ectropion caused by contraction of scar tissue associated with the lower lid.
(Paralytic Ectropion): Ectropion caused by paralysis (inadequate function of the nerve or muscle of the lower eyelid).
Edema: Swelling. Fluid in the tissues temporarily as a result of trauma, surgery, and hydration among others.
Embolus: Singular for emboli. A clot or other plug (possibly fat) within a blood vessel, which obstructs the circulation.
Embryology: The science or study of the development during the embryonic stage or while an embryo.
Enophthalmos: A backward or sunken displacement of the eyeball into the orbit.
Entropion: The turning in of the margin of the eyelid towards the eyeball.
Epidermis: The most superficial layer of the skin.
Epidural Anesthesia: Anesthesia of an area produced by an injection of an anesthetic agent into the epidural space in the spine (inside the spinal canal and outside the tissue containing the spinal cord and spinal fluid).
Epiphora: Excessive tearing.
Eschars: Dead tissue that sloughs or separates from the surface.
Exophthalmos: A remarkable protrusion of the eyeballs often associated with disorders of the thyroid gland.
Explantation: Removal of breast implants.
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Eyelid Ptosis Surgery: A surgical procedure to correct a drooping upper eyelid through a blepharoplasty type incision. (Ptosis = drooping.)
Face-lift: A surgical procedure where skin and tissue in the face is lifted and repositioned to a more youthful location and excess skin usually removed.
Facial Nerve: One of the main nerves to the face to be considered during facial rejuvenation surgery. This nerve has several branches that provide animation (movement) in the facial area.
Fascia: Fibrous tissue that lies deep to the skin.
Flap: An area of tissue that has its own blood supply that may be surgically shifted or transferred to a new location.
Full-thickness: (Skin graft) Includes full thickness of skin (thicker than split thickness graft).
General Anesthesia: Type of anesthesia where a patient is in a state of unconsciousness produced by the administering of an inhalation and/or intravenous anesthetic agent.
Genioplasty: A surgical procedure to modify the chin. Often implants are used (chin implants) however, sometimes only the bone is cut (osteotomy) and the chin reduced, or moved forwards or backwards.
Grafts: Graft of a tissue or organ that is implanted or transplanted.
Gynecomastia: Excessive growth of breast tissue in the male breast. Gynecomastia repair or reduction would be the actual surgical procedure to reduce the size of the male breast. (The procedure can be done with excisional methods or through the use of liposuction or combined.)
Hemangiomas: A tumor composed of blood vessels often present at birth.
Hematoma: A localized collection of blood in an organ, space or tissue. This is sometimes seen after surgery after excessive localized bleeding.
Hemorrhage: Excessive bleeding.
Hemostasis: The arresting of bleeding or oozing (to stop bleeding).
Hernia: The protrusion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening or weakened area.
Herniorrhaphy: Surgical repair of a hernia.
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Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Condition noted by excessive sweating.
Homograft: (See allograft.)
Hyperesthesia: Abnormal increase in the sensitivity of the skin.
Hyperplasia: Abnormal increase in the number of normal cells in the tissue.
Hypertension: Persistently high blood pressure.
Hypertropic Scar: A prominent scar formed by exuberant production of scar tissue that does not extend beyond the boundaries of the original incision or wound.
Hypesthesia: (Same as Hypoesthesia.) This is an abnormal decrease in sensation.
Hypoesthesia: (Same as Hypesthesia.)
Hypoplasia: Incomplete development of an organ.
Hypospadias: A developmental anomaly in the male, in which, the urethra opens on the under side of the penis or on the perineum.
Histologic Diagnosis: A diagnosis made by looking at the anatomy of tissues under a microscope.
Inframammary Fold: Fold under the breast.
Inframammary Incision: Incision on the underside of the breast.
Infraorbital Nerve: One of the nerves on the face below the eye that provides sensation to the general area below the eye to the upper lip.
Innervation: The distribution of nerves to a part or anatomic area.
Intercostal: This refers to the area between the ribs.
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Ischemia: Deficiency of blood and oxygen to an area or part possibly due to obstruction or constriction of blood vessels.
Keloid Scar: Exuberant production of scar tissue that extends beyond the boundaries of the original wound or incision.
Keratotomy (Lasik surgery): Using a laser to slice through and reshape the cornea in order to achieve as close to 20/20 vision as possible.
Lacrimal glands: The gland in the outer upper eyelid, which produces tears.
Laser: (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) This is a device used for various medical treatments.
Co2 Laser: A type of laser used for resurfacing.
Erbium Laser: A type of laser used for resurfacing.
Laser Resurfacing: A surgical procedure where the superficial surface of the skin is removed in a controlled fashion with a laser to improve the appearance of the skin. It is usually used to improve texture, wrinkling, or pigmentation issues.
Lateral: Usually refers to the outer or outside.
Lidocaine: Topical, local anesthetic.
Lipectomy: The excision of a mass of fatty tissue (as from the abdominal wall).
Lipomas: A benign tumor composed of fat cells.
Liposuction / Liposculpture: A surgical procedure to remove fat from areas of the body (names: flank, abdomen, thigh, etc.). It is not a procedure to remove skin. Generally small incisions are made in various areas and the fat is removed with a suction device sometimes with the assistance of ultrasound.
Local Anesthesia: Anesthesia in an area produced by an injection, usually into the skin or tissue.
Lollipop Mastopexy: (Short Scar) A surgical technique to lift the breast, which results in scars completely around the nipple areola and down the front of the breast.
Lupus: An inflammatory connective tissue disorder of unknown etiology.
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Lymph Nodes: A small accumulation of lymph tissue situated along lymphatic vessels, which serves as a defense mechanism by removing bacteria and toxins among other functions.
Lymphadenectomy: Removal of one or more lymph nodes.
Lymphangiography: Injection of contrast medium into the lymphatic vessels along with an X-ray to evaluate the anatomy of the lymphatic vessels.
Malar Augmentation: (Cheek implants) A surgical procedure to enhance the size of the cheeks, usually with implants.
Malignant Melanoma: In general, this is an aggressive and dangerous pigmented skin cancer.
Malocclusion: Improper alignment of the teeth.
Mammaplasty: Plastic surgery on the breast. (Augmentation Mammaplasty: Increasing the size of the breast. Reduction Mammaplasty: Decreasing the size of the breast.)
Mammogram: X-ray study of the breast tissue.
Mandible: The bone of the lower jaw.
Mastectomy: Surgical removal of the breast tissue.
Mastopexy: (Breast lift) A surgical procedure where skin is removed from the breasts (resulting in various location and extent of scars) to reshape and lift the breast and nipple areola. Often implants are combined with a lift for added fullness (augmentation mastopexy).
Maxilla: Bone that helps form the upper jaw.
Medial: Usually refers to the inner or inside.
Metastasis: The spread of the disease process to a site that is distant from the one that is primarily involved.
Midface: The middle portion of the face that includes the malar or cheek region.
Mucosa: Mucous membranes or the tissue that lines the areas such as inside the mouth or nose.
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Musculocutaneous Flaps: This is a flap that includes muscle and skin.
Nasal Septum: The cartilage inside the nose, which divides into the right and left half.
Nasal Turbinates: Bony projections on the outer wall of the nasal passages within the nose.
Nasolabial Folds: Fold of skin reaching from the nose region to the outer mouth region on the face. (Expression lines.)
Nasopharynx: The part of the pharynx or upper airway, which lies above the level of the soft palate.
Necrosis: Death of tissue.
Neoplasm: A new and abnormal growth: Growth of tissue that is uncontrolled and aggressive.
Neurapraxia: The loss or function of a nerve due to an injury, which does not cause structural damage (generally temporary).
Neuroma: A tumor made up of nerve cells and nerve fibers.
Nipple Areola Complex (NAC): Includes the areola and the nipple on the breast.
Nodal Dissection: The section of lymph nodes.
Nodal Metastases: Metastases or spread of cancer to the lymph nodes.
Obesity: Excessive accumulation of body fat. A body weight of 20% over standard height/weight tables is considered obesity. Severe obesity is greater than 100% overweight.
Occlusion: A. When something is blocked off or closed off. B. The relationship between the upper and lower teeth when the jaw is closed.
Oncology: The study of tumors.
Open Rhinoplasty: An incision is made in the flesh portion of the external nose between the nostrils to provide access to the nose to perform the rhinoplasty.
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Oral Commissure: Junction of the upper and lower lips at the side of the mouth.
Orbicularis Oculi Muscle: The muscle that surrounds the eye.
Orthodontist: A branch of dentistry specializing in the irregularities of teeth, malocclusion and associated abnormalities.
Osteotomy: The surgical cutting of a bone.
Otoplasty: A surgical procedure to modify the ears. Often ears that are very prominent or stick out too far are brought closer to the scalp.
Parotid Duct: Duct or drainage tube that allows drainage from the parotid gland into the mouth.
Parotid Gland: A large gland located in the cheek in front of the ear, which produces saliva. Often tissue is sent to pathology to be examined under a microscope for possible irregularities and diseased conditions.
Parotitis: Inflammation of the parotid gland.
Pathology: The study of tissues and their abnormalties.
Pectus Carinatum: (Pigeon Breast) A remarkable anatomic prominence of the sternum.
Pectus Excavatum: A remarkable anatomic depression of the sternum.
Pedicle: Generally in plastic surgery refers to the tissue containing the blood supply to a part or area.
Periareolar Incision: Incision under the nipple for breast augmentation.
Perioral: Affecting the area around the mouth.
Periorbital: Affecting the area around the eyes.
Pharynx: The anatomical portion of the airway between the nostrils and the mouth and the opening of the esophagus.
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Pigmentation: The coloration of skin.
Platysma Muscles: A sheet like superficial muscle of the neck extending form the face to the collarbone.
Porcelain Laminates (Veneers): Individually hand made for each patient to eliminate unattractive gaps, mask stains or crooked teeth.
Posterior: Usually refers to the back.
Prejowl Implant: Usually refers to an implant that does not augment the chin, but rather augments an area just lateral to the chin in the jowel area.
Prostheses: An artificial substitute for a missing body part (artificial limb or could include an implant such as a breast implant).
Ptosis: Drooping or sagging.
Punch Biopsy: A sampling of a tissue by removing a small portion of it.
Reduction Mammaplasty: (See Breast Reduction.)
Regional Anesthesia: The production of anesthesia in a region of the body, usually by injection of an anesthetic in or around a nerve or set of nerves.
Rehabilitation: This is a prolonged process to rehabilitate, correct a problem, or return function.
Rhinoplasty: A surgical procedure to modify or change the external appearance of the nose. The nose or its parts can be enlarged (augmented), or made smaller (reduction).
Rhinorrhea: Excessive drainage of clear fluid or mucous from the nose.
Rhytidectomy: Excision of skin and wrinkles (commonly used as a face-lift).
Rhytids: Wrinkles.
Salivary Glands: Glands that produce saliva.
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Scar: (Cicatrix) The visible mark resulting from a healing process of an incision or wound.
Scar Revision: A surgical procedure where a scar is excised and reclosed or resutured in efforts to ultimately improve the appearance of the scar.
Scleral Show: The ability to see the white part of the eye (sclera) under the colored portion (iris) when looking at the eye in a neutral position. (i.e. The lower lid hangs to low and does not cover the lower portion of the iris.)
Sebaceous Cysts: A cyst containing sebum (oily skin substances). (Non-cancerous.)
Secondary Rhinoplasty: A revision rhinoplasty.
Senile: Mental deterioration usually associated with old age.
Sensory Supply: The nerve supply that provides sensation and the ability to feel.
Septoplasty: A surgical procedure to modify, reduce, or remove a portion of the septum in the nose. (Septum is the cartilage plate that divides the inside of the nose into the right and left half.) (This procedure usually is done to improve the ability to breath (nasal airway obstruction) or to acquire cartilage pieces for grafting in a rhinoplasty.)
Septorhinoplasty: A surgical procedure including both a rhinoplasty and septoplasty.
Seroma: A collection of fluid in the tissues. (Hematoma: Collection of blood.)
SMAS: (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) In general this refers to a deeper layer below the skin (SMAS) which is dissected, separated, or modified in face-lift procedures.
Split-Thickness Skin Graft: Is a graft of a split thickness, or less thick than a full thickness graft.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A type of skin cancer, which generally is more aggressive than basal cell cancer.
Sternum: Breast bone in the center in the front of the chest.
Submandibular Gland: Gland below the jawbone in the upper neck, which produces saliva.
Subglandular Augmentation Mammaplasty: Breast augmentation by placing the implants on top of the pectoralis or chest muscle (directly under the breast tissue).
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Subpectoral Augmentation Mammaplasty: Breast augmentation by placing the implants below or partially under the pectoralis or chest muscle.
Suction Lipectomy: (Liposuction.)
Supraorbital Nerve: One of the nerves on the face above the eye that provides sensation to the general area that includes the upper eyelid, forehead and scalp.
Sutures: (Stitches) Material used to close incisions and repair cuts.
Telangiectasia: A small red spot on the skin surface caused by dilated blood vessels.
Thigh Lifts: Surgical procedure to lift tissue on the thigh.
Thrombosis: A clotting of blood in a blood vessel resulting in a blockage.
Tip Rhinoplasty: A surgical procedure that modifies or changes only the tip of the nose.
Tissue Expander: Inflatable medical devise or implant which is placed under the skin to expand the tissues.
Tissue Expansion: Surgical procedure in which tissue is expanded with a tissue expander.
TRAM Flap (Transverse Rectus Abdominis Musculocutaneous Flap): A flap composed of abdominal wall muscle and abdominal wall tissue, which is used to reconstruct another part of the body, commonly the breast.
Transaxillary Incision: Incision in the armpit for breast augmentation.
Transconjuctival Blepharoplasty: The removal of fat from the lower lids through an incision made inside the lower lid, not on the external skin.
Turbinate: (See nasal turbinate.)
Turbinectomy: Removal or reduction of a turbinate in the nose. (See turbinate.)
Umbilical: Pertaining to the umbilicus, naval or belly button.
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Unilateral: One Side.
Veneers: Porcelain laminates that are individually hand made for each patient to eliminate unattractive gaps, mask stains or crooked teeth.
Ventral: Anterior, front, or belly. Ventral is the opposite of dorsal.
Vermilion Border: Border of the upper lip separating it from the skin of the upper lip.
Xenograft: (Heterograft) This is a graft or transplant from an organism of one species to another.
Zygoma: (Cheekbone.)