(pros-thē'sĭs , pros'thĕ-sĭs, pros-thē'sēz‵, pros'thĕ-sēz‵)

Plural: prostheses

[Gr. prosthesis, an addition]

1. Replacement of a missing part by an artificial substitute, such as an artificial extremity.
2. An artificial organ or part, including arms, hand s, joints, heart valves, teeth, and others.
3. A device to augment performance of a natural function, such as a hearing aid.

dental p.A dental appliance used to restore soft and hard oral tissue. The prosthesis may be internal or external to the oral cavity. Examples include dentures, partial dentures, orthodontic retainers, obturators, fixed bridges, and removable bridges.

Care should be taken to remove, maintain, and clean dental prostheses at least on a daily basis, with dental prophylaxis and examinations scheduled regularly, usually semiannually.

expansion p.A prosthesis that expand s the lateral segment of the maxilla; used in clefts of the soft and hard palates and alveolar processes.

externally powered p.Any prosthesis in which a small electric motor has been incorporated for the purpose of providing force to control various functions.

hair p.Wig.

maxillofacial p.The repair and artificial replacement of the face and jaw missing because of disease or injury.

myoelectric p.An prosthetic device operated by battery-powered electric motors that are activated through electrodes by the myoelectric potentials provided by muscles.

neural p.Any device or electrode that improves function by substituting for an injured or diseased part of the nervous system.

ocular p.Artificial eye.

penile p.A device implanted in the penis that assists it to become erect. The device is used in patients with erectile dysfunction due to such organic causes as trauma, prostatectomy, or diabetes. It is usually in the form of inflatable plastic cylinders implanted in each corpus cavernosum of the penis. These cylinders are attached to a pump embedded in the scrotal pouch. A reservoir for the fluid used to fill the cylinders is implanted behind the rectus muscle. This system allows the cylinders to be filled when an erection is desired and the fluid to be drained back into the reservoir when the need for the erection has passed. In most patients, this device permits the attaining of a nearly physiological erection.

SEE: Peyronie disease.

porcine valvular p.A biological prosthesis made from the heart valve of a pig, used to replace a diseased cardiac valve.

tracheobronchial p.An airway stent used to open part of the trachea or a bronchus that has become obstructed, e.g., because of airway collapse, stenosis, or compression by a tumor.

voice p.A device that synthesizes the human voice. It is used in patients who have undergone laryngeal surgery.