A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

adenoids: lymphatic tissue in the back of the throat.

airway: the path that air takes to enter the lungs.

alveolar bone: the bony structure in the gums of the mouth that supports the teeth.

alveolar bone graft: the surgical addition of bone to the alveolar bone.

amblyopia: diminished vision in one or both eyes because of lack of use.

anesthesia: medication administered to provide pain relief and/or induce and maintain a drug-induced state of unconsciousness during surgery or a procedure.

anomaly: a change or deviation from what is considered typical.

apnea: cessation of air flow for longer than ten seconds before a person resumes breathing.

apnea monitor: a device that is attached to electrodes on the body and makes a noise whenever respirations do not occur in a normal pattern.

articulation: the ability to move and control the lips, tongue, jaw and palate to produce the sounds of a language.

aspiration: liquid or food entering into the lungs.

assessment: process to determine a child’s strengths and weaknesses. Includes testing and observations performed by a team of professionals. Assessment is interchangeable with the term evaluation.

asymmetry: both sides are not equally affected, such as one side of the face is different from the other side.

atresia: closing or absence of a normal body opening, such as an ear canal.

audiogram: electrical study of hearing plotted visually on a graph.

aural: hearing.

aural atresia: the lack of an ear canal.

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bilateral: related to both sides.

bone distraction: surgical bone lengthening techniques also known as distraction osteogenesis.

brachydactyly: short fingers.

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cephalogram: an x-ray of the face that shows a full profile and that is used to evaluate bony structures of the face and evaluate the effects of orthodontic treatments.

choanal atresia: narrowing of the closure above the soft palate between the nose and the throat that can obstruct breathing.

chromosome: a threadlike string of genes.

cleft: a split in an anatomic structure, such as a cleft lip or cleft palate.

columella: the central lower portion of the nose that divides the nostrils into right and left.

conductive hearing loss: hearing impairment that originates in the outer or middle ear as the result of blockage in the sound passageway.

congenital: a condition existing at, and usually before, birth.

craniofacial: pertaining to the head and face.

craniosynostosis: premature closing of the seams between the bones of the skull.

crossbite: a dental condition in which the upper teeth are behind the lower teeth rather than in front of them.

CT or CAT scan (computerized tomography) scan: diagnostic procedure in which a computerized machine takes cross-sectional x-ray pictures of the body.

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deformational plagiocephaly: refers to the lopsided head shape, typically with flattening in one area caused by external force or pressure.

dental arch: the curved structure formed by the teeth in their normal position.

distraction osteogenesis: a technique that uses a small metal device to slowly lengthen a bone(s) without requiring a bone graft. Often used to lengthen the mandible (lower jaw) and mid-face bones.

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eardrum: membrane in the ear that vibrates and transmits sound to the inner ear. Also known as the tympanic membrane.

early intervention: the specialized way of interacting with infants and toddlers to minimize the possible effects of health conditions on early development.

echocardiogram: an ultrasound picture of the heart showing its structures, including the inner chambers.

endoscopy: used to view the interior of the human body. Commonly used to view the throat or stomach.

ENT: abbreviation for ear, nose and throat. An ENT doctor, or otolaryngologist, is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis, management and treatment of disorders of the ear, nose, throat and related structures of the head and neck.

eustachian tube: the air duct that connects the back of the throat with the middle ear. The Eustachian tube usually is closed at one end, opens with yawning and swallowing, and allows ventilation of the middle ear cavity and equalization of pressure on the two sides of the eardrum.

exorbitism: bulging of the eye because the bony cavity around the eye (orbit) is too small and shallow.

expressive language: communication of one’s ideas, desires or intentions to others usually through speech or printed words.

extubation: removal of the breathing tube from the nose or mouth that was used during general anesthesia.

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facial tags: tags of skin in front of the ear; also called preauricular tags.

family-centered care: a way to provide healthcare to patients that includes the whole family as partners with the healthcare team. This care also recognizes the importance of extended families, communities and friendships.

fine motor: related to the use of the small muscles of the body.

fistula: an abnormal connection or passageway between two epithelium-lined organs or vessels that normally do not connect. May refer to a hole in the palate which allows a communication between the nasal and oral cavities.

fronto-orbital advancement: an operation in the front of the skull and upper eyes to expand and advance (bring forward) these structures.

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gastrostomy tube (G-tube): a feeding tube that is inserted through an incision in the abdomen directly into the stomach.

gene: a unit of inheritance that serves as the blueprint or code for our development. Genes determine characteristics such as hair color and stature.

genetics: the science of heredity (how things pass from one generation to the next).

genioplasty: a surgical procedure to alter the position or appearance of the chin.

graft: procedure of transferring bone and/or tissue from one body site to another.

gross motor: relating to the use of the large muscles of the body.

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Haberman feeder: a special feeding bottle and nipple designed for babies who have a cleft palate that is sometimes used for babies with other facial differences.

hard palate: the front part of the roof of the mouth containing bone covered by pink tissue (mucosa).

head orthosis helmet: a helmet that improves the shape of a baby’s skull by taking advantage of rapid infant head growth.

heredity: genetically derived characteristics, abilities and potentialities.

hydrocephaly: buildup of fluid in the cranial cavity.

hypernasality: a lack of normal nasal resonance during speech.

hypoplasia: underdevelopment of a structure.

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inner ear: contains the cochlea, auditory nerve and vestibular canals.

intracranial pressure: pressure on the brain.

intubation: placement of a breathing tube into the nose or throat when using general anesthesia.

interdisciplinary team: group of different health professionals who work together to provide a coordinated plan of care.

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LeFort surgical procedure: the name of the operation used to reshape the upper jaw area.

LeFort I maxillary advancement: a procedure to move the upper jaw forward to a better position.

LeFort III midface advancement: a procedure used to move the middle and upper portion of the face forward.

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macroglossia: excessively large tongue.

maloccusion: the wrong position of the two jaws resulting in a faulty meeting of the bite.

mandible: the lower jaw.

maxilla: the upper jaw.

mental health professional: a general term for a professional who is trained in understanding human behavior, emotions, and how the mind works. This professional can be a psychologist, counselor, social worker, or psychiatrist.

micrognathia: underdevelopment of the lower jaw.

microtia: abnormally small or malformed portion of the outer ear.

middle ear: the portion of the ear behind the eardrum that contains three small bones that transfer sound from the eardrum to the inner ear.

mutation: a permanent change in a gene that occurs by chance.

myringotomy: a minor surgical procedure in which a small slit is made in the eardrum to allow fluid to drain from the middle ear.

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nasal septum: the structure that divides the nose into the left and right sides.

nasality: abnormal flow of air through the nose during speech.

nasoalveolar molding (NAM): a nonsurgical method of reshaping the mouth, lip and nostrils to lessen the severity of a cleft lip and palate surgery and enhance its results.

naso-endoscopy: a procedure in which a narrow flexible camera is inserted down through the nose to enable one to view of the velopharyngeal (soft palate and back of the throat) closure.

nasogastric tube (NG): feeding tube that is inserted through the nose, down the esophagus and into the stomach.

nasopharynx: part of the pharynx (throat) above the soft palate.

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obstructive apnea: cessation of air flow for ten or more seconds because of an obstruction in the upper airway. Also known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

obturator: a device worn in the mouth to decrease nasal air flow during speech.

occlusion: the relationship between upper and lower teeth when they are in contact. Refers to the alignment of teeth as well as the relationship of the dental arches.

occupational therapist: a professional who helps work on small muscle strength and coordination to improve self-care skills (activities of daily living).

open bite: the inability of the teeth of the upper and lower jaws to make complete contact when clenched.

orbits: the bony housing of the eyes.

otitis media: inflammation of the middle ear with accumulation of thick mucous-like fluid. Also known as a middle ear infection.

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palate: the roof of the mouth including the front portion, known as the hard palate, and the back portion, known as the soft palate.

pharyngeal flap: surgical procedure designed to minimize hypernasality. A flap of mucosa (tissue lining the back of the throat) creates a “bridge” between the soft palate and the back of the throat.

Passey-Muir valve: a valve used to plug a tracheostomy so that air passes around the tube and into the mouth and nose.

pharynx: throat.

physical therapist: a professional who uses activities and exercises to help to reduce problems with movement and posture usually involving large muscles of the body.

plagiocephaly: refers to an asymmetric or lopsided head shape typically with flattening in one area caused by an external force or pressure.

post-operative (post-op): after an operation.

pre-existing condition: term used by insurance companies to indicate that a medical condition existed before the policy became effective.

pre-operative (pre-op): before a surgical procedure.

prosthesis: an artificial substitute for a missing body part.

ptosis: may refer to a droopy eyelid due to an abnormality of the muscle that elevates the eyelid.

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radiography: photographic film showing images of the internal body parts and bones. Also known as an X-ray.

receptive language: the ability to understand language.

rhinoplasty: surgery to change the external appearance of the nose.

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secondary surgery: surgery done after primary surgery to improve appearance or to correct additional problems.

sensorineural hearing loss: hearing impairment that originates in the inner ear or brain. May involve the cochlea and/or auditory (8th cranial) nerve.

sequence: a group of abnormalities caused by one development defect.

sleep apnea: at least thirty episodes during a seven-hour period of sleep during which the air flow stops for longer than ten seconds before an individual starts breathing again.

soft palate: fleshy area at the back of the roof of the mouth; contains the muscles that elevate the palate during eating and speaking.

stridor: high pitched noise when breathing in.

submucous cleft: cleft in the palate that is not visible; there is a separation of the muscles of the soft palate but not in the tissue covering the muscles (mucosa).

sutures: the type of binding or stitch that surgeons use to hold tissues together after an area of the body has been separated by injury or surgery; may also refer to the connection between parts of the skull.

syndrome: a disease or disorder that has more than one identifying feature or symptom.

synostosis: abnormal and premature joining of the skull bones.

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temporomandibular joint (TMJ): joint between the side of the skull and the lower jaw.

torticollis: a limited range of motion in an infant’s neck due to muscle tightness. The head often leans to one side because the neck muscles on that side are shortened. Usually corrected with physical therapy.

tracheotomy: the operation of making an opening into the windpipe.

trismus: limited opening of the mouth or prolonged spasms of the jaw muscles; lockjaw.

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unilateral: on one side (vs. bilateral or both sides).

uvula: soft tissue hanging at the back of the soft palate.

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velopharyngeal closure: the closing of abnormal connections between the nasal cavity and the oral cavity in order to direct the air used in speech through the nose instead of the mouth.

velopharyngeal incompetence: inability to achieve adequate velopharyngeal closure despite structures that may appear normal.

velopharyngeal insufficiency: a structural or functional disorder resulting in inadequate separation of the nasal and oral cavities during speech. Velopharyngeal insufficiency often results in a nasal sounding voice.

videofluoroscopy: a tape-recorded x-ray examination of the speech mechanism, focusing on the soft palate and walls of the throat. Used to evaluate velopharyngeal function.

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zygomas: cheek bone forming part of the orbit of the eye.