Glossary
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Published: June 20, 2007
Updated: June 20, 2007
Alveolarr ridge: The jaw's bony ridge, which holds the teeth
Anterior: Front
Articulation: The process of forming speech sounds
Audiologist: Professional concerned with hearing assessment and non-medical management of hearing impairments.
Audiometer: The device used to measure hearing
Civula: Small cone-shaped muscle which hangs down in the back of the mouth, at the front of the throat
Cleft: Division
Cleft lip: A division of the upper lip which may be unilateral (one-sided) or bilateral, and can vary from a notching to a complete division of the lip
Cleft palate: A division of the roof of the mouth which may or may not involve a cleft lip as well
Cleft palate team: The group of professionals involved in treating patients with cleft lip and/ or cleft palate. Includes representatives from; pediatrics, plastic surgery, dentistry, oral surgery, speech pathology, audiology, otolaryngology, orthodontics, nursing, and/or radiology
Cross-bite: A condition in which the lower teeth protrude forward beyond the upper teeth
ENT.: The abbreviation of ear, nose, and throat
Eustachian tube: The air-filled tube connecting the back of the throat with the middle ear. It usually opens during yawning or swallowing, allowing ventilation of the middle ear cavity and equalization of pressure on the two sides of the eardrum
Fistula: An abnormal opening
Genetics: The science of heredity; in this case, the study of potentiality and probabilities for the birth of children with clefts in families which already have children with clefts
Hard palate: The bony front part of the roof of the mouth
Hyper-nasality: Inappropriate nasal resonance during speech
Hypo-nasality: Lack of nasal resonance during the three nasal speech sounds m, n, and ng
Inner ear: The portion of the ear containing the nerve endings critical to hearing
Larynx: The cartilages and elastic membranes that house the vocal cords -- also called the "voice box"
Malocclusion: Incorrect alignment of the upper and lower teeth
Mandible: The lower jaw
Maxilla: The upper jaw
Medial: In or near the middle
Middle ear: The part of the ear which contains three small bones which transfer sound from the eardrum the inner ear
Orthodontics: The specialty of dentistry which deals with irregularities in the alignment of the teeth
Otitis media: An infection of the middle ear
Otolaryngologist: The doctor who specializes in the diagnosis of the ear and larynx, often referred to as an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist
Pharynx: The back of the throat
Plastic surgery: The medical specialty dealing with the surgical repair of external physical defects
Posterior: Back
Prosthesis: An artificial substitute for a missing part
Prosthodontist: A dental specialist who provides prosthetic appliances for oral structures
Rotated teeth: Teeth which are "turned" clockwise or counterclockwise in the mouth, relative to the normal position
Radiologist: A physician who specializes in the study of diseases through the use of x-rays
Soft palate: The soft, muscular part of the roof of the mouth, located near the back, also called the velum
Speech and language pathologist: The member of the Cleft Palate Team who diagnoses communication disorders, and prescribes and/or implements therapeutic measures
Velopharyngeal: Pertaining to the velum and the pharynx
Velopharyngeal closure: The closing by muscles of the nasal cavity from the oral cavity which directs air through the mouth rather that the nose
Velum: The soft palate
