Breast Augmentation Glossary

Aspiration: The withdrawing of a fluid from the body by means of suction.

Biocompatible: Being biologically compatible by not producing a toxic, injurious or immunological response in living tissue.

Breast Augmentation: A surgical procedure which enlarges the breast through implantation of a prosthesis.

Breast Implant: A soft, silicone envelope with various fillers that can be placed in the body for simulated breast tissue.

Breast Reconstruction: A surgical procedure that rebuilds a removed breast.

Buttocks Flap Reconstruction: A breast reconstruction operation that uses a flap from the buttocks that is transferred to the chest to create a breast mound.

Capsular Contraction: A tightening of the scar tissue surrounding an implant.

Delayed Reconstruction: Breast reconstruction that takes place weeks, months or years after a mastectomy.

Envelope: The outer lining of an implant which traps the inner filling, sealing it in.

Expander/Mammary Implant: A breast implant that also acts as a tissue expander, stretching the tissues, but then also remains in place as a breast implant.

Fibrous Tissues: Connective tissues composed mostly of fibers.

Flap: A portion of tissue, which may include muscle, fat and skin, with its blood supply moved from one part of the body to another.

Flap Reconstruction: Rebuilding of a removed breast using a flap to form the breast mound.

Glandular: Relating to a gland.

Hemorrhage: Abnormal internal or external discharge of blood.

Immediate Reconstruction: Breast reconstruction that takes place during the same surgical procedure as a mastectomy.

Inpatient Surgery: A surgical procedure in which the patient is required to stay overnight in a hospital.

Latissimus Dorsi Flap Reconstruction: Breast reconstruction that utilizes the patient's own tissue transferred from the latissimus dorsi muscle, located in the back, to build a breast mound.

Lumpectomy: Surgical removal of a cancerous tumor along with a small margin of surrounding tissue.

Lymph Nodes: Structures in the lymphatic system that act as filters, catching bacteria and cancer cells, and that contribute to the body's immune system.

Mastectomy: The removal of breast tissue due to the presence of a cancerous or precancerous growth.

Mastopexy: Breast lift to tighten the breast by removing skin that the forces of gravity and the effects of aging have caused to sag.

Milk Ducts: Tubes for the passage of secreting milk.

Modified Radical Mastectomy: Surgical removal of the breast, some fat and most of the lymph nodes in the armpit, leaving the chest wall muscles largely intact.

Opaque: Not transparent; impenetrable by visible light rays and x-rays.

Outpatient Surgery: A surgical procedure in which the patient is not required to stay overnight in a hospital.

Pectoralis Major: A muscle located in the upper chest which provides support for the breasts and is necessary for arm movements.

Postoperatively Adjustable Implant: An implant that allows the volume to be adjusted, after implantation, within a specified range.

Prosthesis: Any artificial body part.

Ptosis: Sagging. Breast ptosis is usually the result of normal aging and the pull of gravity or changes caused by pregnancy or weight loss.

Radical Mastectomy: Removal of the breast, underlying muscles and underarm lymph nodes.

Saline: A solution that is made up of water and a small amount of salt. Approximately 71% of an adult's body weight consists of this saltwater solution.

Sensory Nerves: The nerves that conduct afferent impulses from sensory receptors to the brain or spinal cord.

Sepsis: The presence of various microorganisms, their poisonous products or their toxins in the blood or tissue.

Silicone: A material that is widely used in medical implants, composed primarily of silicon, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

Silicone Gel: Silicone produced in a semisolid state, used as a filling in breast implants, similar in consistency to a normal breast.

Simple Mastectomy: Removal of the breast only.

Thrombosis: The formation or development of a blood clot.

Tissue Expander: An adjustable implant that can be inflated with salt water to stretch the tissues at the mastectomy site.

Tram Flap Reconstruction: Breast reconstruction that utilizes the patient's own lower abdominal tissue and muscle to build a breast mound.