Plastic Surgery Glossary

How to use this plastic surgery glossary

This plastic surgery glossary gathers the terms you are most likely to meet on this site and during a consultation at Will Be. Terms are grouped by area and listed alphabetically within each group. Definitions are general; your surgeon will explain how each applies to you. For a deeper look at the eyelid's structure, read eyelid anatomy, explained.

Eyelid and eye anatomy

Arcus marginalis

The thickened band of tissue along the bony rim of the eye socket where the orbital septum begins. It is relevant in lower-lid fat repositioning.

Canthal tendons

Fibrous bands at the inner (medial) and outer (lateral) corners of the eye that anchor the eyelids to bone and shape the eye opening.

Epicanthal fold

A vertical fold of skin at the inner corner of the eye that can partly cover the pink caruncle. It is a common, normal variation.

Levator aponeurosis

The broad, tendon-like sheet at the end of the levator muscle that lifts the upper eyelid. Its fibers to the skin create the crease.

Müller's muscle

A small, involuntary muscle beneath the levator aponeurosis that adds a few millimeters of lid elevation and responds to alertness and fatigue.

Orbicularis oculi

The thin, circular muscle around the eye that closes the eyelids, from a gentle blink to a firm squeeze.

Orbital septum

A thin fibrous membrane that holds orbital fat behind the eyelid. When it weakens with age, fat can bulge forward as fullness or bags.

Preaponeurotic fat

The fat cushion of the upper eyelid that sits in front of the levator aponeurosis. It gives the lid softness and should not be over-removed.

Tarsal plate (tarsus)

A firm plate of dense connective tissue within each eyelid that gives it shape. Crease design often relates to its upper border.

Tear trough

The groove running from the inner corner of the eye toward the cheek, which can deepen with age and cast a shadow.

Eyelid procedures and conditions

For an overview of treatments, see the eye surgery section.

Blepharoplasty

Eyelid surgery that removes or repositions skin, muscle or fat. Upper blepharoplasty often treats hooding; lower blepharoplasty often treats under-eye bags.

Dermatochalasis

Excess, loose eyelid skin, usually from aging, which can fold over the lash line and make the eyes look heavy.

Double eyelid surgery

Surgery to create or refine an upper eyelid crease, using sutures, a minimal adhesion technique or an incision, depending on the eyelid.

Ectropion

An outward turning of the lower eyelid margin. It is an uncommon complication of lower-lid surgery that careful support helps to prevent.

Epicanthoplasty

Surgery that adjusts the epicanthal fold at the inner corner of the eye. It should be conservative and chosen for the individual's anatomy.

Lagophthalmos

Incomplete closure of the eyelids. It may occur temporarily during swelling after eyelid surgery and should be reported if it persists.

Lateral canthoplasty

Surgery at the outer corner of the eye that can modestly change the length or tilt of the eye opening.

Ptosis

A condition in which the upper eyelid margin sits too low, often because the levator muscle or aponeurosis is weak or stretched.

Ptosis correction

Surgery that tightens or reattaches the eyelid's lifting mechanism so the lid opens higher. Sometimes called eye-opening surgery.

Scleral show

Visible white of the eye between the iris and the lower eyelid, which can occur naturally or after lower-lid surgery if the lid descends.

Sub-brow lift

Removal of excess skin through an incision just below the eyebrow, lifting heaviness from the upper lid without changing the crease.

Nose terms

More on these procedures is in the nose surgery section.

Autologous cartilage

Cartilage taken from the patient's own body, such as the nasal septum, ear or rib, and used to shape or support the nose.

Dorsal hump

A bump on the bridge of the nose made of bone, cartilage or both, visible mainly in profile.

Nasal septum

The wall of cartilage and bone dividing the two nasal passages. Septal cartilage is a common graft source in rhinoplasty.

Osteotomy

A controlled cut in bone. In rhinoplasty, osteotomies of the nasal bones narrow the nose or close an open roof after hump removal.

Rhinoplasty

Surgery to reshape the nose, using implants, the patient's own tissue, or a combination, depending on goals and anatomy.

Face, forehead and neck lifting

See face and forehead lifting for procedure details.

Endoscopic forehead lift

A brow and forehead lift performed through small incisions within the hairline using a camera, releasing and repositioning tissue.

Facelift

Surgery that repositions deeper facial tissue and redrapes skin to address sagging of the lower face and jowls.

Jowls

Sagging of tissue along the jawline, below the corners of the mouth, that softens the jaw contour with age.

Nasolabial fold

The line running from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth, which deepens as cheek tissue descends.

Platysma

The thin sheet of muscle in the neck. Loosening of its edges can create visible vertical bands.

Retaining ligaments

Fibrous connections anchoring facial soft tissue to bone. Their release and repositioning is part of many lifting techniques.

SMAS

The superficial musculo-aponeurotic system, a layer of fibrous tissue and muscle beneath facial fat. Many facelifts reposition it.

Thread lift

A procedure using absorbable threads placed under the skin to lift and support tissue, with a shorter recovery than surgical lifting.

Fat grafting, skin and non-surgical treatments

See fat grafting and non-surgical treatments.

Botulinum toxin

A purified protein injected in small doses to relax specific muscles, softening expression lines or slimming bulky muscles for a time.

Collagen stimulator

An injectable designed to encourage the skin's own collagen production gradually, rather than fill volume directly.

Dermal filler

An injectable gel, commonly hyaluronic acid, that restores volume or smooths lines. Effects are temporary and vary by product and area.

Fat grafting

Transfer of the patient's own fat, harvested by gentle liposuction, into areas that have lost volume, such as the under-eye area or cheeks.

Fat survival

The portion of grafted fat that establishes a blood supply and remains long-term. It varies between individuals and areas.

Polynucleotide

A DNA-derived ingredient used in some skin treatments, such as Rejuran, intended to support skin repair and quality.

PRP (platelet-rich plasma)

A concentrate of platelets prepared from the patient's own blood, sometimes combined with fat grafting to support healing.

Anesthesia, safety and recovery

The anesthesia options guide explains sedation levels in more depth.

Capnography

Monitoring of exhaled carbon dioxide during sedation or general anesthesia, giving early warning of changes in breathing.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

A blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg. Long surgery and long flights raise the risk; movement and hydration help.

Edema

The medical term for swelling. After facial surgery it peaks in the first days and settles gradually over weeks to months.

General anesthesia

A medically controlled state of unconsciousness in which breathing is supported and vital signs are continuously managed.

Ghost surgery

When a different doctor operates instead of the surgeon the patient met and agreed to, without the patient's knowledge.

Hematoma

A collection of blood beneath the skin after surgery. Small ones may resolve; larger ones may need prompt treatment.

Informed consent

The process of understanding a procedure's purpose, alternatives, risks and recovery before agreeing to it, in a language you understand.

IV sedation

Medicine given through a vein to relax the patient or induce drowsiness, combined with local anesthesia for numbness.

Local anesthesia

Medicine injected into tissue to numb a specific area while the patient remains awake.

Revision surgery

A procedure to correct or improve the result of a previous operation, usually performed after tissues have settled.

Scar maturation

The months-long process in which a scar remodels, typically moving from pink and firm toward flat, soft and pale.