Surgical Terms
Abdominoplasty
Repair abdominal muscle and remove excess fat and skin; especially beneficial after pregnancy or weight loss; commonly called "tummy tuck"
Acne
Inflammatory disease of the oil glands of the skin, especially of the face of back
Actinic Keratosis
Thickening of the skin from exposure to the sun's rays; may progess to squamous cell carcinoma
Adipose Tissue
Fat
Aesthetic
Relating to beauty
Aesthetic Surgery
Any surgery to improve one's appearance
Aesthetician
A skin care specialist trained in methods to enhance beauty
Age spot
Flat, brown discoloration on the skin that results from overexposure to the sun and aging; also called sunspot or liver spot
Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)
A family of chemical exfoliants derived from fruits, sugarcane (glycolic acid), and sour milk (lactic acid) that speed up superficial shedding of skin cells, and are used to improve skin texture and reduce fine wrinkles and mild irregularities in pigmentation
Ambulatory
Literally means walking about or able to walk; refers to outpatient procedures
Areola
The pigmented area around the nipple
Aspriation
The surgical removal of a liquid from the body by sucking the fluid through a needle. Also refers to the inhalation of liquid into the lungs - a risk when undergoing anesthesia or heavy sedation
Asymmetric
Uneven
Augmentation mammoplasty
The enlargement of the breasts using an artificial implant
Axilla/axillae (pl)
The armpit(s)
Bariatrics
Branch of medicine concerned with the management of obesity and related diseases
Basal cell
Cell found at the base, or bottom, of the epidermis
Basal cell carcinoma
The most common form of skin cancer; caused by the uncontrolled growth of basal cells of the epidermis, damaged by exposure to ultraviolet light
Beauty mark
A mole or nevus
Becker implant
See "double lumen implant"
Bell's palsy
Facial paralysis thought to arise after a viral infection of the facial nerve
Benign
Not containing cancerous cells
Betahydroxy acid (BHA)
A family of chemical exfoliants (including salicylic acid) that have antiaging and antiacne effects with minimal irritation.
Bifid lobule
Torn earlobe
Binder
A broad bandage, especially one that encircles the abdomen; used after abdominal liposuction or abdominoplasty
Biopsy
The process of removing tissue form living patients for diagnostic examination
Birthmark
A mole or blemish that is present on the skin at birth
Bleaching agent
In dermatology, a medication that slows or blocks the production of pigment producing cells; used to lighten age spots, fade blotchiness, and help erase dark circles under the eyes
Blemish
Any mark or discoloration on the skin that mars the appearance
Blepharitis
Inflammtion of the eyelids
Blepharochalasis
Redundancy of skin in the upper eyelids
Blepharoplasty
Any operation to correct a defect in the eyelids. In cosmetic surgery, referred to as an eye lift
Blepharoptosis
Drooping of the upper eyelid
Blue Peel (Obagi Blue Peel )
A chemical peel using trichloracetic acid (TCA) with a blue dye that helps the physician determine the depth of the peel
Board Certified
Having passed an examination by an administering authority; designed to test the physician's knowledge base and provide proof of having completed a certain level of education.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
A psychiatric condition in which those afflicted become preoccupied with an imagined defect in their appearance
Body implants
Silicone implants enhance the appearance and contour of the upper chest, lower legs, or buttocks
Botox
A substance derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum; used to temporarily paralyze muscles and treat cross-eyed condition, muscle spasm, excessive sweating, and migraine headaches
Brachioplasty
Surgery on the arm: usually the upper arm to remove excess skin and fat
Breast asymmetry correction
Create breast symmetry by increasing the size of the smaller breast and / or reducing the larger breast
Breast augmentation
Surgical placement of breast implants to increase breast size and fullness
Breast implant
A silicone rubber shell filled with either silicone gel or inflated with a saline solution used to enlarge the breast
Breast implant removal
Surgery to remove implants with or without replacement; for desired changes in proportions, or due to implant-related complications
Breast implant revision
Surgery to enhance the appearance of breasts with surgery on the implant pocket, or replacement of the implant itself
Breast lift
Surgery to remove excess skin and raise the nipple for perkier, fuller breasts; to counteract gravity, loss of elasticity, and sagging; also called mastopexy
Breast reduction
Surgery to remove excess skin, breast, and fatty tissue for smaller, shapely breasts, and to reduce back and neck strain
Broad spectrum sunscreen
Refers to sun protective cream that prevents both UVA and UVB absorption
Browlift
A surgical procedure to elevate the brow and permanently smooth forehead wrinkles; also called a forehead lift
Canthoplasty
An operation to suture the corner of the eye and correct sagging lower eyelids caused by aging or previous surgery
Canthus
The corner of the eye
Canula or cannula
A small, hollow tube used during liposuction surgery to remove fat by suction
Capillary
A tiny blood vessel that connects an artery to a vein
Capsular contracture
Shrinkage of the scar tissue around an implant that causes hardenss, distortion, and sometime pain
Capsule
Scar tissue that grows around implants or any foreign body
Capsulectomy
Surgical removal of the capsule, or scar tissue around an implant
Capsulotomy
Creation of an opening through a capsule, as with scar tissue around breast implants. (Closed capsulotomy is by external compression. Open capsulotomy, known as capsulectomy, is through an incision)
Carcinoma
Medical term for cancer
Cartilage
A type of connective tissue
Cauliflower ear
An acquired deformity of the ear resulting from undrained accumulation of blood usually caused by trauma to the ear; also known as boxer's ear
Cellulite
A term used to describe an uneven, "cottage cheese", or dimpled texture to the skin overlying fat; sometimes treated with mechanical massage or mesotherapy
Cervicoplasty
Commonly called a neck lift - ; surgery to remove excess skin to improve the neckline, correct "turkey neck", and improve one's profile
Cheek lift
Surgery to raise the middle of the face, the cheek, to enhance cheek and undereye fullness and contour; also called midface lift
Chemical peel
Removal of the superficial layers of the skin with a chemical agent to remove wrinkles and age spots and to promote the regrowth of fresh, clearer new skin
Cherry angioma
A benign bright-red vascular bump commonly occuring on the trunk of adults
Cleanser
An agent that removes oily residue, makeup, dirt, and sometimes dead skin cells
Collagen
The major protein of connective tissue that makes up the foundation of skin and other tissues; used as an injectable filler to temporarily plump depressed areas or augment deficient areas of the skin
Congenital nevus
Pigmented lesion in the dermis that is present at birth
Coronal lift
A type of surgical forehead and browlift using a wide incision across the scalp to remove excess skin, lift the brows, and diminish or eliminate wrinkles and frown lines
Cosmetic surgery
An elective procedure performed to reshape normal structures in the body in order to improve appearance
Craniofacial
A term relating to both soft tissue of the face and the underlying bony tissues of the skull
CRNA
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist; see Nurse Anesthetist
Crow's feet
Wrinkles at the outside corners of th eyes, resulting from aging and normal facial expression
Cryosurgery
Freezing with liquid nitrogen to destroy unwanted tissue
Cyst
An abnormal sac containing gas, fluid, or a semisolid material
Dermabrasion
A technique of mechanical buffing or sanding of the skin to remove the superficial layers and improve imperfections such as wrinkles and scars
Dermatitis
Inflammation of the skin
Dermatochalasis
Lax skin characterized by skin redundancy or folding, especially of the upper eyelids
Dermatoplasty
Plastic surgery of the skin
Dermis
The layer of the skin beneath the epidermis comprised of a tough matrix of collagen and elastin
Dog ear deformity
A mound of excess skin located at the ends of an incision
Double lumen impant
A breast implant containing a shell of silicone surrounded by an adjustable space where saline is added; also called a Becker implant, named after the inventor
Dynamic wrinkles
Creases in the skin caused by muscle contraction and facial expression
Dysplastic nevus
An atypical mole that may be a precursor of malignant melanoma
Ear surgery
Pinning back of prominent ears or reducing and reshaping overly large or malformed ears; also called otoplasty
Ectropion
An abnormal turning out of the lower eyelid, sometimes called blood hound eyes; can occur after lower eyelid surgery
Eczema
General term for skin inflammation causing redness,dryness, itching, and scaling
Edema
Swelling
Elastin
Connective tissue found in the dermis that contributes to the skin's resilience and elasticity
Endoscopic lift
Any surgical lift that is done through an endoscope
Endoscopic surgery
Minimal-incision surgery can be performed using tiny cameras and long instruments; typically results in a quicker recovery than surgeries performed with larger incisions
Epicanthal fold
A fold of skin from the side of the nose to upper eyelid that is more common in Asians
Epidermis
The outer, protective layer of the skin
Erythema
Medical term for redness
Esthetician
See "aesthetician"
Excise
To remove by cutting
Excision
The surgical removal of tissue, usually by cutting
Exfoliant
An agent that causes the outer layers of skin cells to slough off
Exfoliation
The removal of upper skin in thin layers
Extrinsinc aging
Changes in the skin due to sun exposure and other controllable factors
Eyelid ptosis surgery
Procedure to raise one or both droopy upper eyelids to restore an alert appearance and possibly improve visual fields
Face lift
A surgical procedure to rejuvenate the appearance of the face and neck which reducse jowls under the cheeks and improves the jawline by repositioning muscle and removing excess skin; also called rhytidectomy
Facial implant surgery
Improve facial contour, projection, and fullness with facial implants in the chin, cheek, jaw, midface or tear trough region
Female genital surgery
Surgery to reshape the labia for increased confidence and enhanced sexual experiences; also called "labiaplasty"
Filler (filling agent)
A substance such as collagen, silicone, or one's own fat that is injected beneath the skin to contour, or fill in wrinkles or scars
Flap operations
Involves lifting a segment of tissue with blood and nerve supplies and rotating or reattaching to an alternate position
Folliculitits
Inflammation of the hair follicle
Forehead lift
Surgery that diminishes wrinkles creases, and signs of aging on the forehead
Frontalis
A muscle under the skin of the forehead
General anesthetic
An anesthetic administered to induce sleep; sometimes referred to as a "general"
Genioplasty
Surgery of the chin
Gigantomastia
Massive enlargement of the breasts
Glabella
The smooth area between the eyebrows
Glabellar lines
Vertical forehead creases between the eyebrows
Glycolic acid
A fruit acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane, used in superficial chemcial peels
Glycolic peel
The removal of skin surfaces using a fruit acid
Gynecomastia
Male breast enlargement; treated with excision or liposuction
Hairband incision
A surgical cut in the scalp crossing from ear to ear, used in a coronal browlift
Hemangioma
A proliferative vascular lesion that originates from blood vessels
Hematoma
A localized mass of blood under the skin; a common postoperative occurence that often resolves on its own or can be surgically corrected
Hooding
An abnormal appearance of the upper eyelid caused by excessive sagging of the eyelid skin
Hydroquinone
A chemical bleaching agent used in skin preparations for treatment of excessive pigmentation
Hyperesthesia
Condition of being abnormally sensitive; can occur after bruising or injury to a nerve
Hyperhidrosis
Profuse sweating
Hyperhidrosis
Profuse sweating
Hyperhidrosis
Profuse sweating
Hyperpigmentation
Darkening of the skin through overproduction of melanin
Hypertrophic scar
A thickened, raised, or elevated scar that remains within the boundaries of the initial injury or incision
Hypopigmentation
Lightening of the skin caused by underproduction of or damage to the melanin
Implant
A surgically placed, permanent device that is used to correct an anatomical deficiency or to create a more desirable appearance
Inframammary fold
The crease below the breast
Injectable filler
Any of several substances used to plump up a depressed area of the skin or lips
Intrinsic aging
Changes due to the passage of time, determined by genetics
Jowl
Lax skin and pockets of fat that hang below the lower edge of the jaw
Keloid
An overgrown scar that extends the boundaries of the initial injury or incision, caused by excess collagen production
Kenalog
A steroid medication that decreases inflammation;iIn larger doses, can cause fat atrophy
Kojic acid
A bleaching agent that lightens dark spots on the skin
Labial
Pertaining to the lips
Labiaplasty
Surgery to reshape the labia
Labiaplasty
Surgery to reshape the labia
Laser
Acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Used to resurface skin; remove unwanted veins, hair, blemishes, and tattoos; and make incisions that bleed very little.
Laser resurfacing (laser peel)
Use of laser to vaporize damaged skin while leaving surrounding tissues undamaged; used to eliminate or modify unsightly skin defects
Laser-assisted liposuction
Technology using light energy to break up fat
Lip augmentation
Any procedure that increases the size and definition of the lips; uses temorary or permanent fillers or implants
Lip lift
Any surgery using a variety of mehtods to raise the edges of the lips and enhance its appearance
Lip reduction
Any surgery that reduces the size of the upper and / or lower lip by removing a thin strip of tissue
Lipoma
Benign fatty tumor, often treated with excision or liposuction
Liposculpture
Liposuction through very small cannulas to more precisely contour the site
Liposuction
Removal of fat lying under the skin through the use of a cannula and vacuum
Liquid nitrogen
Dry ice used to exfoliate the skin or freeze off unwanted tissue
Local anesthetic
An anesthetic injected to numb the area being treated
Lop ear deformity
A congenital condition in which the top of the ear folds forward
MAC (Monitored Anesthesia Care)
An adjunct to local anestheia i nwhich the patient's vital signs are monitored;when necessary, additional medicatios can be administered through an IV line
Macrogenia
A large chin
Mammaplasty
Plastic surgery of the breast
Mammography
Breast X ray used to detect tumor
Marionette lines
Vertical creases extending from the corners of the mouth to the jaw
Mastectomy
Breast removal
Mastitis
Inflammation of the breast
Mastopexy
A surgical breast lift that removesextra skin and repositions the nipple in a higher position
Melanoma
A malignant and potentially deadly form of skin cancer, arising from the melanocytes
Microdermabrasion
A technique using sand crystals and a vacuum to remove superficial skin cells and improve minor skin imperfections
Midface Lift
Surgery to raise the middle of the face (the cheek) to enhance cheek and undereye fullness and contour; also called cheek lift
Milia
Skin cysts that look like whiteheads: may form in a resurfaced area or along a suture line
Mini lift
A limited incision facelfit for patients with minor sagging
Moisturizer
An agent that softens and smoothes the skin
Mole
A benign growth on the skin that is usually pigmented; also called a nevus
Nasolabial fold
The crease extending from the side of the nostril to the corner of the mouth; smile or laugh lines
Neck lift
Surgery to remove excess skin to raise the neckline, correct "turkey neck", and improve one's profile; also called cervicoplasty
Nevus
A benign growth on the skin that is usually pigmented; also called a mole: (nevi, plural)
Nipple and/or areola reduction
Surgery to remove excess skin and tissue of the nipple and / or areaola to provide a more aesthetic appearance
Nipple inversion repair
Surgery to correct flat or inverted nipples through a small incision around the areola
Nonablative laser
A resurfacing laser that eliminates wrinkles without peeling the skin
Noncomedogenic
Doesn't cause blackheads
Otoplasty
Surgery of the ear to pin back prominent ears or reduce and reshape overly large or malformed ears
Outpatient
A person who receives treatment and who does not need to stay overnight; the term can also be applied to the facility itself (such as outpatient clinic)
Palpebral fold
The crease in the upper eyelid
Panniculectomy
Surgery to remove an apron of excess skin and underlying fat from the lower abdomen
Pannus
From the latin meaning "piece of cloth; refers to apron of fat and hanging skin from the abdomen
Periorbital
Around the eyes
Phlebitis
Inflammation of a vein
Photoaging
Skin changes caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation
Photosensitivity
An abnormal sensitivity to light, increasing the chances of severe sunburn; often caused by medication
Plastic surgery
The branch of surgery dealing with the repair or enhancement of malformed, injured, or lost organs or tissues
Plicate
Poikiloderma
A skin condition characterized by flushed blotchy, red neck with white spots
Pore
Tiny opening in the skin
Post Inflammatory Hypergpigmentation
An abnormal increase in pigment production after any damage to the skin; can occur after chemical peels and laser resurfacing; abbreviated as PIH
Posterior
Referring to behind
Precancer
A lesion from which a malignancy is believed may develop
Prejowl
Indentation between the jowl and chin
Ptosis
Drooping or sagging, commonly referring to eyebrows, eyelids, and breasts
Pulsed light
A beam of light emitted in a short burst of energy
Reconstructive surgery
Surgical procedures performed on abnormal structures of the body, to improve function and approximate normal appearance
Rejuvenate
To make youthful
Renova
Prescription skin cream derived from Vitamin A used to reduce fine lines, roughness, and brown spots; also known as tretinoin.
Resection
Surgical removal of tissue such as skin and fat
Reticular dermis
The deepest layer of the skin
Retin-A
A prescription medication derived from vitamin A, prescribed commonly for the treatment of acne, fine lines, and skin irregularities; also known as tretinoin.
Revision surgery
Any surgery to correct unwanted effects of a previous surgery
Rhytid
Medical term for a wrinkle
Rhytidectomy
A facelift; surgery to reduce jowls under the cheeks and improve the jawline and neck for a more youthful look; also called rhytidoplasty
Rosacea
A condition causing flusing, dilated blood vessels, and sometimes acne on the nose and cheeks
Saline
Salt water; used as replacement fluid during surgery, or in tumescent solution for anesthesia
Scar
A permanent mark containing connective tissue that results from the body's response to injury
Scar revision
Any of a variety of procedures to improve the appearance and/or orientation of scars
Sclerotherapy
A technique for treating dilated veins by injecting a solution that irritates and collapses the vessel
Sebaceous gland
Oil producing gland of the skin
Sebaceous hyperplasia
Overgrowth of oil glands causing bumps on the skin
Seborrheic dermatitis
Greasy, red areas of skin caused by irritation of the sebaceous glands
Seborrheic keratosis
Light tan to dark brown wart like growths that characteristically appear "stuck on" to the surface of the skin
Sebum
Oil from sebaceous glands
Seroma
An accumulation of fluid within the tissues
Silicone sheeting
A dressing made of silicone material that is placed over a raised scar to soften and flatten it
Sinus
A hollow area in the bone
Skin resurfacing
A surgical procedure that removes upper skin layers to produce new skin
Skin tag
A benign fleshy growth commonly found on the neck, under the arms, and on the eyelid
Spider angioma
A cluster of tiny blood vessles that radiate from a central point
Spider vein
Non-essential superficial dilated veins that lie just beneath the skin
Squamous cell
A keratin producing cell of the epidermis
Squamous cell carncinoma
A malignant form of skin cancer of the squamous cell; more common in smokers and with sun exposure
Static wrinkles
Wrinkles that are present when the muscle is at rest
Steroid
An anti-inflammatory drug
Stria (striae, pl.)
Stretch mark(s)
Subciliary
Beneath the eyelashes; refers to an incision through the skin used for lower eyelid surgery
Subcutaneous
Beneath the skin
Subcutaneous technique
In facelift surgery,a surgical procedure that tightens skin without removing any tissue underneath it
Submental
Beneath the chin
Sun protection factor (SPF)
Used to indicate the effectiveness of sunscreen in preventing sunburn;the number indicates how many times normal one can stay in the sun before burning
Sunblock
A cream that reflects ultraviolet radiation. Usually containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide
Sunscreen
A cream that absorbs ultraviolet radiation
Superior
Refers to being positioned above something
Suture
To close a wound surgically; the stitch that joins together the edges of an incision
Sweat gland
A gland that secretes perspiration through a pore in the skin
Symmetric
Equal and balanced when one side is compared to the other
Temporal lift
A method to raise the side of the eyebrows through an incision in the hair at the temples
Toner
A cosmetic agent that removes excess soild and temporarily tightens the skin
Topical
Petaining to medication that is applied externally to a particular part of the body
Transconjunctival
Through the inside of the lower eyelid; a common incision in lower eyelid surgery
Tretinoin
The active ingredient in Retin-A and Renova
Trichloracetic acid (TCA)
A chemical commonly used to treat fine lines, uneven pigmentation and superficial blemishes
TUBA
TransUmbilical Breast Augmentation; a surgery to enlarge the breast with implants inserted endoscopically through the belly button
Tuberous breast
A condition in which the bottom part of the breast remains attached to the chest wall, causing the breast to grow forward rather than dropping down. Because of the forward growth of the breast, it is said to resemble a "tube"
Tumescent
An anesthetic technique using large amounts of a solution containing saline, lidocaine, and epinephrine into the area to be treated; literally means to swell up, referring to the appearance of the site after injection
Tummy tuck
Repair of abdominal muscle and removal of excess fat and skin to flatten the abdomen, especially beneficial after pregnancy or weight loss; also known as "abdominoplasty"
Turkey neck
Excess skin and fat under the chin
Ultrapulse laser
A form of laser that delivers light in very rapid, extremely short bursts
Ultrasound assisted liposuction (UAL)
A technique using sound waves to break up fat while removing it
Ultraviolet light (UV)
A specific wavelength of sunlight that damages skin and causes skin cancer
Umbilicoplasty
Surgery of the belly button
Umbilicus
Belly button, navel
Undermining
Separating skin and fat from underlying tissue
UVA
Ultraviolet light type A, with a wavelength of 320-400nm; causes aging and damage to the elastin and collagen in the skin as well as tanning
UVB
Ultraviolet light type B, with a wavelength of 290-320; causes reddening and some tanning of the skin
Varicose veins
Abnormally dilated or enlarged veins
Vascular
Pertaining to the vessels
Venous lake
A benign small blue nodule caused by superficial pooling of blood
Vermillion border
The edge of the red pigment around the lips
Visual field exam
A test performed by an optometrist to determine if upper eyelid skin is obstructing vision
Vitiligo
An autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks the pigment cells and leaves the skin with patchy white areas
Wart
A benign lump on the skin caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV)
Wet liposuction
A technique whereby a saline solution is injected before the liposuction to help separate the tissues and provide some anesthesia
Widow's peak
A sharp point of hair growth in the midline of the anterior scalp margin. Can occur as a result of the hair line recessing
Wrinkle
A furrow, ridge, line, or crease in the skin; also called a rhytid
Xanthelasma
Yellowish fat deposits in the skin around the eyes; sometimes associated with increased cholesterol levels
Z-plasty
Surgical technique using a z-shaped incision to lengthen contracted scar tissue and reorient scars to conform to natural skin tension lines and creases
Zygoma
Cheekbone