Liposuction Glossary of Terms

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Abdomen: The belly, that part of the body that contains all of the structures between the...

Abdominal: Relating to the abdomen, the belly, that part of the body that contains all of ...

Abdominal cavity: The cavity within the abdomen, the space between the abdominal wall and...

Abnormal: Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic of a particular patient.

Acetaminophen: A nonaspirin pain reliever or analgesic. Acetaminophen may be given alone t...

Allergy: A misguided reaction to foreign substances by the immune system, the body system ...

Anesthesia: Loss of feeling or awareness, as when an anesthetic is administered before sur...

Anesthetic: A substance that causes lack of feeling or awareness, dulling pain to permit s...

Antidepressants: Anything, and especially a drug, used to prevent or treat depression.

Arms: An appendage in anatomy and in clinical trials. See: Arm.

Aspirin: Once the Bayer trademark for acetylsalicylic acid, now the common name for this a...

Blood clots: Blood that has been converted from a liquid to a solid state. Also called a t...

Cannula: A hollow tube with a sharp, retractable inner core that can be inserted into a ve...

Cellulite: In popular language, deposits of fat that have a cottage cheese-like texture. M...

Chest: The area of the body located between the neck and the abdomen. The chest contains t...

Chest pain: Pain in the chest that can be a result of many things, including angina, heart...

Chin: Medically, the mentum. The lower portion of the face below the lower lip including t...

Cuts: Severed skin. Washing a cut or scrape with soap and water and keeping it clean and d...

Dermatologic: Having to do with skin.

Dermatology: 1. The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and...

Dizziness: Painless head discomfort with many possible causes including disturbances of ...

Embolus: A blockage or plug that obstructs a blood 'vessel. Examples of emboli are detache...

Hematoma: A localized swelling that is filled with blood caused by a break in the wall of ...

Ibuprofen: A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly used to treat pa...

Incision: A cut through skin or other tissue performed by a health care professional.

Informed consent: The process by which a patient learns about and understands the purpose,...

Laser: A powerful beam of light that is used in some types of surgery to cut or destroy ti...

Liposuction: The surgical suctioning of fat deposits from specific parts of the body, the ...

Medical history: 1. In clinical medicine, the patient's past and present which may ...

Nerve: A bundle of fibers that uses electrical and chemical signals to transmit sensory an...

Numb: Numb, or numbness is a loss of the sensation of feeling in an area of the body. Numb...

Nurse: 1) A person trained, licensed, or skilled in nursing. 2) To feed an infant at the ...

Operating room: A facility that is equipped for performing surgery. Abbreviated OR.

Pain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa...

Pharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup...

Postoperative: After surgery. As opposed to preoperative, before surgery.

Preoperative: Before surgery. As opposed to postoperative, after surgery.

Prospective: Looking forward. A prospective study or a prospective clinical trial is one i...

Pulmonary: Having to do with the lungs.

Pulmonary embolus: A blood clot or foreign material that has been carried through the bloo...

Pus: A thick, whitish-yellow fluid that results from the accumulation of white blood cells...

Relaxant: Something that relaxes, relieves, or reduces tension. For example, a muscle rela...

Sedative: A drug that calms a patient, easing agitation and permitting sleep. Sedatives ge...

Shortness of breath: Difficulty in breathing. Medically referred to as dyspnea. Shortness ...

Surgeon: A physician who treats disease, injury, or deformity via operative or manual meth...

Surgery: The branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or inj...

Suture: 1. A type of joint between the bones of the skull where the bones are held ...

Thyroid: 1. The thyroid gland. Also, pertaining to the thyroid gland. 2. A p...

Tired: A feeling of a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency of accomplishment,...

Tumescent: Swelling or slightly swollen. For example, tumescent liposuction involves pumpi...

Tumescent liposuction: A form of liposuction in which several quarts of a solution are pum...

Tylenol: See: Acetaminophen.