Glossary
Following you will find a general list of medical terms used in connection with plastic surgery. Please be aware of the fact, that this list can only give a selective overview.
| A |
|
| abdominoplasty |
removing excess fatty tissue from the abdomen, also referred to as “tummy tuck” |
| ablatio mammae |
surgical removal of the female breast, mostly due to carcinoma |
| amputation |
surgical ablation of a body part |
| anamnesis |
patient status and history as established by a physician |
| anterior |
the general term applied to the front part of the body or any structure |
| aplasia |
underdeveloped breasts, flat chest |
| areola |
the darkened ring surrounding the nipple of the breast |
| areomamillary |
pertaining to the nipple or the areola |
| aspiration |
removal of liquids accrued in a cavity through extraction with the help of a cannula |
| asymmetry |
irregularity of the breasts, usually referring to their differing in size |
| augmentation (mammoplasty) |
enlargement (of the breast) |
| autoimmune diseases |
diseases of the immune system where antibodies harm tissues of their home organism |
| autologous reconstruction |
(breast) reconstruction with tissue from the patient’s body |
| autotransplantation |
transplantation of tissue from one part of a patient’s body to another |
| axilla; axillary approach |
armpit; accessing the implant position via an incision in the armpit, along the chest wall |
| B |
|
| Baker classification |
Capsular contracture may be an adverse effect occurring after the insertion of breast implants. The Baker grades I, II, III and IV are a classification system for capsular contractures; the lower the degree, the softer the contracture. |
| base size |
the diameter of a prosthesis measured at its base when placed on a flat surface |
| benign |
(med.) pertaining to tumors that do not spread and grow aggressively |
| bi-lateral |
pertaining to both sides |
| biopsy |
extraction of tissue through punction (with a needle) or excision (with the scalpel) for histological or cytological testing for tumors |
| bleeders |
vessels ruptured as a pocket is dissected, usually coagulated |
| blepharoplasty |
surgery of the eyelids |
| blunt dissection |
separation of tissue layers with blunt instruments or fingers |
| breast implant |
A medical device that is used for breast augmentation or post-cancer breast reconstruction. It consists of a dense, multilayered silicone-elastomer shell that is filled with saline solution or highly cohesive silicone gel. The current state of the art is the silicone gel-filled breast implant because the result is more permanent, highly aesthetic and more natural to the touch and in movement. |
| C |
|
| capsule |
a natural reaction of the body to surround a foreign object with a fibrous sheath |
| capsular contracture / fibrosis |
hardening of the capsule around a foreign body, sometimes painful |
| caudal |
anat. towards the tailbone |
| C.D.M. |
Custom Design Mould. A moulage molding technique from which a custom-made implant is made. |
| centimetre (cm) |
2.5cm = 1″ (inch) |
| closed capsulotomy |
a technique to relieve the tension of a firm capsule by applying external pressure to the breast with the heels of the hands; often called the “squeeze” technique |
| cohesive gel |
silicone gel that has a high viscosity (very slow flow rate) and tends to adhere to itself as a mass |
| contra-lateral |
on the opposite side |
| cooper’s ligaments |
suspensory ligaments of the breast |
| Computed Tomography / CT |
3D medical imaging method created with the help of computers and a large series of 2D X-ray images |
| curative therapy |
healing treatment |
| cutis |
outer skin layer, composed of dermis and epidermis |
| cytological examination |
cell examination with the help of a microscope |
| cytostatica |
remedies to block the growth of tumors (may also damage healthy cells) |
| cytotoxicity |
noxiousness of certain substances for a cell; the term is often used to describe the adverse effects of anti-cancer drugs |
| cyst |
lump in the human organism filled with more or less liquid contents and enclosed by a capsule; |
| D |
|
| dermabrasion |
the operative procedure used to remove acne, scars, severe sun spots or skin discoloration; may be performed using paper, wire, brushes or other abrasive materials |
| dermis |
layer of skin beneath the epidermis with numerous nerve ends, blood vessels and elastic fibers, home to the perspiratory glands |
| diagnosis |
stating a medical condition; identification of a disease |
| dislocation |
displacement (of an implant) from the original position |
| duckbill valve |
A filling valve that utilizes an elongated, flat tube that resembles a duck’s bill. Also called a leaf valve. |
| E |
|
| endoscope |
optical device for the enlargement of cellular structures and smaller units up to 300,000 times their size |
| epidermis |
outer layer of skin situated above the dermis, contains no vessels |
| epithelium, epithelial |
formations of cells that line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body |
| epithesis |
artificial body part, worn temporarily as an external replacement |
| estrogen |
female hormone occurring in various levels during the reproductive cycle |
| excision |
surgical removal of tissue |
| expander |
a device to be filled with sterile saline solution to expand and stretch the tissue covering the expander and prepare the area for an implant |
| F |
|
| fiber-optic retractor |
an instrument for drawing back the edges of a wound with a light source provided by a fiber-optic cable |
| filler cannula |
a small tube or cannula through which fluids are added to a prosthesis |
| firm (or hard) capsule |
a condition whereby the fibrous tissue continues to contract around an object until it is firm to the touch |
| flap |
tissue used for transplantation |
| flash cycle |
to sterilize at a high temperature, usually 270 degrees
or more for a short period of time |
| fold flaw |
Results when part of the shell “folds” and erosion of corners follows. Can lead to holes in shell and deflation if it occurs in an inflatable or double-lumen style. |
| G |
|
| gel migration / permeation |
silicone molecules which are picked up and transported to other areas of the body by the lymphatic system |
| general anesthesia |
various combinations of agents used to induce a total loss of consciousness and sensitivity to pain; administered and maintained during surgery by an anesthesiologist or anesthetist |
| glandula, glandular |
(Lat.) gland; pertaining to glands |
| gluteus |
buttocks |
| gross examination |
examination of an object by the naked eye |
| gynecology |
medical science of the female reproductive system |
| gynecomasty |
uni- or bilateral enlargement of the male breast glands |
| H |
|
| hematoma |
a collection of blood outside the blood vessels, causing tissue swelling |
| hemostasis |
arrest of bleeding or of circulation |
| high profile |
an implant that has a high or domed projection when placed on a flat surface |
| histology; histological |
science and study of the microscopic anatomy of biological tissue; histological examination of a specially prepared tissue slice permits the diagnosis of the benign or malign nature of a tumor and may indicate its origins |
| hormones |
messenger substances created by an organism |
| hyperplasia |
congenital overdevelopment of tissue; very large breasts |
| hypertrophy |
(med.) pronounced scarring |
| hypoplasia |
congenital underdevelopment of tissue; very small breasts |
| I |
|
| immune system |
system of biological structures and processes that protects an organism against disease |
| implant (prosthesis) |
an artificial body part inserted as a permanent replacement in the body |
| incidence |
frequency of an occurrence |
| incision |
(med.) cut into the body for surgical approach |
| indication |
reason for the treatment of a disease |
| inferior |
below in relation to other parts of the body or of a structure |
| inframammary approach |
accessing the future implant position via an incision mid-point in the fold below the breast |
| K |
|
| keloid |
bulging scar, proliferation of connective tissue, occurring several weeks or month after mutilation (through trauma or surgery) |
| korium |
= dermis; the connective-tissue skin layer situated between epidermis and subcutis |
| L |
|
| lateral |
toward the side, opposite of median |
| latissimus dorsi |
back muscle beneath the shoulder blade used for autologous breast reconstruction |
| leaking |
the release of unattached molecules from the silicone gel that migrate through the shell (also called bleeding or weeping) |
| lipectomy |
body contouring surgery by removing fat cells |
| lipoaspiration / liposuction |
fat extraction by aspiration / suction |
| lipodystrophy |
disproportioned fat distribution |
| local anesthesia |
general sedation of a patient followed by a localized full block of the area of surgery |
| lot number |
a number assigned to each product denoting the silicone batch of origin as well as its month and year of manufacture |
| low profile |
an implant that has a low projection when placed on a flat surface |
| M |
|
| macromastia |
congenitally overlarge breasts |
| malign |
(med.) pertaining to tumors that spread and grow aggressively |
| mamma; mammary |
the female breast; pertaining to the female breast, the female breast glands |
| mammary expander |
device for the expansion of female breast tissue to gain skin coverage for an implant |
| mammaplasty |
plastic surgery of the breast |
| mammography |
radiographic examination of the breast |
| mastectomy |
removal of the breast |
| mastitis |
inflammation of the breast glands |
| mastopathy |
benign disorder of the mammary glands (may become malign over time) |
| mastopexy |
breast-lift surgery |
| medial |
towards the middle |
| metastasis |
secondary tumor, a spread from the primary tumor; in contrast to a local recurrence a metastasis may occur in a place far from the original tumor |
| “milking” |
a technique of inserting an implant through an incision by squeezing the gel in such a manner that enough pressure is applied to force the bulk of the prosthesis into the pocket without causing it to rupture |
| modified radical mastectomy |
removal of the breast, some surrounding lymph nodes, but sparing the majority of the pectoralis muscle |
| MRI / Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
medical imaging technology used for the diagnosis of illnesses |
| myocutaneous flap |
transplantable tissue consisting of skin and muscles |
| N |
|
| necrosis |
death of areas of tissue surrounded by healthy parts |
| normal saline solution |
a balanced 0.9% solution used for filling inflatable, bi-luminous and gel-saline implants |
| O |
|
| oedema |
aggregation of body liquids in the intercellular gaps |
| oncology |
the science and study of cancer |
| open capsulotomy |
a surgical procedure where the breast pocket is reopened and the fibrous tissue of a firm capsule is severed or removed |
| overfill |
the filling of a prosthesis shell over and above its standard quantity |
| P |
|
| palliative therapy |
treatment to reduce discomfort |
| palpate, palpation |
to determine by feel |
| patches |
small areas of material placed on the posterior portion of a implant to promote tissue ingrowth for stabilization. (rarely used today) |
| pectoralis muscle |
the large muscle underlying the breast |
| percutaneous |
insertion of a needle or instrument through the skin |
| periareolar approach |
accessing the implant position via an incision around a portion of the outer boundary of the areola |
| pigmentation |
accretion of biological colored substances |
| pocket |
an area to contain the breast prosthesis created by separating the fatty tissue of the breast and the underlying pectoralis muscle |
| Poland Syndrome |
congenital unilateral underdevelopment of varying characteristics; may concern the chest only but may also include anomalies of the hand |
| polydimethyl siloxane |
chemical term for silicone |
| posterior |
the general term applied to the back part of the body or any structure |
| postoperative |
after surgery |
| preoperative |
before surgery |
| prevention |
(med.) behavior to prevent the occurrence of cancer, i.e. a healthy way of living, e.g. through not smoking, no alcohol, a balanced diet, avoiding sun burns / excess weight |
| profile |
lateral shape of an implant |
| progesterone |
steroid with a central importance for the production of female sex hormones |
| prognosis |
likely course or outcome of an illness |
| prophylaxis |
medical procedure to prevent the occurrence of an illness |
| prosthesis |
artificial body part, either implant or epithesis: the implant is inserted as a permanent replacement in the body, the epithesis is worn temporarily as an external replacement |
| projection |
the outward thrust of the breast created or enhanced by the insertion of implants |
| ptosis |
sagging or hanging breast or breast tissue |
| punction |
biopsy with the help of a needle |
| R |
|
| radical mastectomy |
removal of the breast, underlying muscle and surrounding lymph nodes |
| radiology |
medical branch using imaging technologies like x-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI for diagnosis |
| reconstruction |
(med.) recreation of lost tissues |
| relapse |
reappearance of an illness after complete recovery |
| remission |
(med.) diminishment of a tumor |
| rhinoplasty |
surgery of the nose |
| rhytidectomy |
surgery of the face, facelift |
| R.T.V. |
Room temperature vulcanization. A silicone compound that will “set up” at room temperature. |
| runny gel |
silicone gel that has a high flow rate and tends to separate under stress |
| rupture |
bursting or breaking, e.g. of an implant |
| S |
|
| scalloping |
creasing or folding of the shell due to loss of volume |
| screening |
regular examinations to discover illnesses in people with no evident symptoms but a genetic disposition |
| self-sealing |
a valve that completely seals itself when the intra-cash is removed |
| semi-permeable membrane |
a membrane which will allow the passage of some molecules |
| sepsis |
blood poisoning |
| seroma |
aggregation of body liquids in cavities resulting from illnesses |
| serum; serous |
(med.) clear liquid remaining after body fluids were cleared from their cellular components; generally describes a component of the blood |
| silicone |
a synthetic polymer |
| sharp dissection |
a separation of tissue layers with a scalpel or knife |
| silicone |
polydimethyl siloxane, a synthetic polymer |
| silicone elastomer |
a synthetic polymer with reinforcing filler |
| silicone gel |
a synthetic polymer without reinforcing filler |
| sonography |
ultrasound-based medical imaging technique |
| steroid injection |
injecting steroids into inflatable or bi-lumen implants so they will be released into surrounding tissue over a period of time |
| subcutaneous mastectomy |
the removal of the majority of the breast tissue, leaving the skin and a thin layer of tissue for reconstruction purposes |
| subglandular positioning |
placing a breast implant under the mammary glands |
| submammary approach |
see: inframammary approach |
| subpectoral positioning |
placing a breast implant under the pectoralis muscle |
| superior |
above in relation to other parts of the body or of a structure |
| suture tab |
A small nylon loop usually placed on the posterior portion of a prosthesis for suturing to the chest wall or to other materials. Can also be used for orientation or positioning of implants. |
| symptom |
characteristics by which to recognize an illness |
| T |
|
| tear strength |
the amount of pressure needed to tear a sample of silicone sheeting after a slight cut has been made in it |
| tensile strength |
the amount of pressure needed to stretch a sample of silicone sheeting until it breaks |
| thorax, thoracic |
chest |
| TRAM flap |
Transversus Rectus Abdominis Muscle flap consisting of belly skin and a section of the straight belly muscle used for autologous breast reconstruction |
| transareolar |
across the areola |
| tubular breast |
ptotic breasts with a diameter scarcely larger than the areola |
| tumescence; tumescence anesthesia |
swelling; infiltration of the liposuction area with a liquid consisting of saline solution, a local anesthetic and adrenaline |
| tumor |
benign or malign agglomeration of non-functional cells |
| tumor marker |
body substances in the blood and urine that indicate an illness |
| tumorectomy |
surgical excision of a tumor |
| U |
|
| under the muscle |
see: sub-pectoral |
| underfill |
the filling of a prosthesis shell under its standard quantity |
| undermine |
to separate layers of tissue |
| unilateral |
pertaining to one side |
| V |
|
| valve |
a mechanism through which additional material is added to a saline implant or expander |
| virus |
pathogenic organisms with no own metabolism that need a host cell to proliferate; will be attacked by the immune system of the invaded organism |
| W |
|
| weeping |
another term for leaking |
| wrinkling |
term used to describe folds, ridges or creases showing on the skin after an implantation caused by a too large implant pocket |
| Z |
|
| zipper effect |
This references a scalloping edge on a gel implant. The term “scalloping” references the same phenomena on an inflatable implant. |
The author reserves the right not to be responsible for the correctness, completeness or quality of the information provided. Liability claims regarding damage caused by the use of any information provided, including any kind of information which is incomplete or incorrect, will therefore be rejected.