Plastic Surgery Glossary
Here at about.com, your guides to health topics try to write content in terms that anyone can understand, avoiding medical jargon when at all possible. However, use of medical terms is occasionally necessary for clarity and accuracy. Therefore, I offer you this glossary of commonly used terms relating to plastic surgery.
Abdominoplasty
Definition of Abdominoplasty
Abscess
Definition of abscess
Actinic Keratosis
Definition of actinic keratosis
Areola
Definition of areola
Ambiguous Genitalia
What does it mean to have ambiguous genitalia? Read all about it here.
Biocompatible
Definition of Biocompatible
Blepharoplasty
Definition of Blepharoplasty
Botox
Definition of Botox
Botttom Surgery
A concise definition of bottom surgery for sex reassignment.
Bottoming Out
What Is Bottoming Out
Brachioplasty
Definition of Brachioplasty
Cannula
Learn the definition of cannula and how it is used during cosmetic body contouring liposuction surgery.
Capsular Contracture
Definition of Capsular Contracture
Capsule
Definition of Capsule
Capsulectomy
The most common complication of breast augmentation is capsular contracture. One of the ways to fix the problem is capsulectomy.
Capsulotomy
Complications following breast augmentation sometimes require breast revision surgery. One common complication, capsular contracture, is sometimes improved with a procedure called capsulotomy.
Cautery
A concise definition of the term cautery.
CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Laser
Definition of the Co2 Carbon Dioxide laser
Contraindication
Definition of Contraindication
Corrugator Myectomy
Definition of Corrugator Myectomy
Dermabrasion
Definition of dermabrasion
Dermatography
Definition of Dermatography
Dermis Definition
The dermis is where wrinkles start, so let's learn more about what the dermis is and what it does for your skin.
Deviated Septum
Definition of deviated septum
Deviated Septum
Definition of deviated septum
Diastasis Recti
Definition of Diastasis Recti
Diode Laser
Definition of diode laser
Double Bubble
What Is Double Bubble
Edema
Definition of Edema
Endoscope
Your doctor may say that she'll be using an endoscope during your surgery. Learn the definition of an endoscope.
Endoscopic
Definition of Endoscopic
Epidermis
The epidermis is the human body's first line of defense against the environment.
Erbium:YAG
Definition of Erbium YAG
Erythema
Definition of Erythema
Facial Feminization Surgery
A concise definition of facial feminization surgery.
Female-to-Male
A concise definition of female-to-male in sex reassignment surgery.
Fibroblast
What are fibroblasts and what do they have to do with the structure and support of the skin?
Fractional Laser (Fraxel)
Definition of fractional laser - Fraxel
Gender Dysphoria
A concise definition of gender dysphoria, a symptom identified in transgendered individuals.
Gender Identity Disorder
A concise definition of gender identity disorder.
Gender Reassignment Surgery
A concise definition of gender reassignment surgery
General Anesthesia
When talking to your doctor about a surgery you need, she may tell you that you'll require general anesthesia. What is general anesthesia? Learn the definition.
Granuloma
Learn about the definition, characteristics, cause, and treatment of granuloma.
Granulomatous Cheilitis
Granulomatous Cheilitis-Definition of Granulomatous cheilitis
Gynecomastia
Definition of Gynecomastia
Hemangioma
Definition of hemangioma
Hematoma
Definition of Hematoma
Hermaphrodite
What is a hermaphrodite? Is it an offensive word to use? Read all about it here.
Hormone Therapy
A concise definition of hormone therapy for sex reassignment surgery.
Hyperpigmentation
Definition of Hyperpigmentation
Hypertrophic Scar
Definition of Hypertrophic Scar
Hypodermis
What is the hypodermis? You've probably heard of the top two layers of skin, the dermis and the epidermis, but many people have never heard of the layer of connective tissue and fat known as the hypodermis.
Hypopigmentation
Definition of hypopigmentation
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
Definition of IPL
Intravenous Sedation
When you get a surgical procedure done, you may require intravenous sedation (IV sedation). What does IV sedation entail? Learn the definition.
Intersex
A concise definition of intersex.
Ischium
Get an explanation of the term ischium.
Keloid Scar
Definition of Keloid
LED
Definition of LED
Lip Lift
A concise definition of lip lift, a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure.
Lipoatrophy
Lipoatrophy is a generally undesirable cosmetic condition which can be treated with injection of dermal fillers. Learn more about the definition of lipoatrophy.
Lipodissolve
Definition of lipodissolve
Local Anesthesia
Definition of Local Anesthesia
Male-to-Female
A concise definition of male-to-female in sex reassignment surgery.
Malrotation
Definition of Malrotation
Marionette Lines
Definition of marionette lines
Mastopexy
Definition of mastopexy
Medpor
Medpor is a material used in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Learn the definition of Medpor.
Melasma
Definition of melasma.
Mentoplasty
What is Mentoplasty? Learn the definition of Mentoplasty.
Mesotherapy
Definition of mesotherapy
Micropigmentation
Definition of Micropigmentation
Mohs Surgery Definition
Your dermatologist may recommend Mohs surgery if you are diagnosed with skin cancer, especially if the skin cancer is located on a prominent area like the face. What is Mohs surgery? Learn the definition of Mohs surgery.
Nasolabial Fold
Definition of Nasolabial Fold
Nd:YAG
Definition of Nd YAG
Necrosis
Definition of necrosis
Otoplasty
Definition of Otoplasty
Panniculectomy
When is a tummy tuck more than a tummy tuck? When it's the post-bariatric surgery called a panniculectomy.
Pectus Excavatum
Definition of pectus excavatum
Port Wine Stain
Definition of port wine stain.
Pressure Ulcer
Concise definition of pressure ulcer.
Ptosis
Definition of Ptosis
Pulsed Dye Laser
Definition of pulsed dye laser.
Q-Switched Laser Definition
What is a Q-switched laser and how can it help you look better? Learn the definition of Q-switched laser and how it has advanced the world of cosmetic laser procedures.
Quill Threads
Definition of quill threads
Real-Life Experience
A definition of real-life experience as related to transgenderism.
Reconstructive Surgery
Definition of reconstructive Surgery
Rhytid
Definition of Rhytid
Rhytidectomy
Definition of Rhytidectomy
Gender
A concise definition of the term gender.
Rosacea
Definition of rosacea.
Scar Revision
To improve the appearance of a scar, scar revision by a plastic surgeon may be the answer.
Scar Tissue
Definition of scar tissue
Chondrolaryngoplasty
A concise definition of chondrolaryngoplasty for sex reassignment.
Transsexual
A concise definition of transsexual.
Selective Photothermolysis Definition
Selective photothermolysis is the key to success in laser tattoo removal and other cosmetic laser procedures. In fact, it's one of the main reasons today's technological advances in plastic surgery and cosmetic dermatology are possible. Learn what selective photothermolysis is and how it works.
Sex
A concise definition of sex (female or male).
Sex Reassignment Surgery
A concise definition of sex reassignment surgery.
Smart Lipo
Definition of smart lipo, a cosmetic procedure
SMAS
SMAS is a term used often when discussing face lift techniques. Learn what the SMAS is and why it's important if you are considering having face lift surgery.
Spider Nevus
Definition of spider nevus.
Steri-Strip
Learn what a steri-strip is and how to use it.
Sutures
Definition of Sutures
Symmastia
Ever heard the terms unaboob or breadloafing in relation to breast implants? That's symmastia. Learn more about this undesirable potential result of breast implant surgery.
Thermage
Definition of thermage, a cosmetic procedure
Tissue Glue
Definition of Tissue Glue
Top Surgery
A concise definition of top surgery for sex reassignment.
Topical Anesthetic Definition
What is a topical anesthetic? Well, if you're considering any sort of non-invasive or minimally invasive procedure, you are probably going to want to know a little something about what they are and how they work.
Transgender
A concise definition of transgender.
Transitioning
A definition about what it means to "transition" for transgendered individuals.
Trigonocephaly
Trigonocephaly is a congenital developmental defect which may at some point require craniofacial reconstructive surgery.
Tumescent Liposuction
Definition of tumescent liposuction
Tumescent Solution
What is tumescent solution? Is it different from wetting solution for liposuction? Find out here.
Venous Ulcer
What are venous ulcers? (also called varicose ulcers or stasis leg ulcers)
Voice Change Surgery
A concise definition of voice change surgery in transsexual individuals.
Xiphoid Process
Concise definition of xiphoid process.
