Comps Restorative Arts Glossary

Abrasion

antemortem and/or postmortem injuries resulting from friction of the skin against a firm object resulting in the removal of the epidermis

Abscess

a localized accumulation of pus

Absorption

the process of taking in, as in a colored object which absorbs certain rays of light and reflects other rays giving the object its recognizable color. (e.g., An apple is called red if the red rays are reflected and the other rays in the light are absorbed.)

Abut

to bluntly adjoin another structure; for example, the line of eye closure. (In normal repose, the eyelids should abut, not overlap.)

Acetone

dimethylketone; a colorless liquid which is used to soften and remove scabs; a solvent for restorative wax, or a stain remover. (Also used to remove fingernail polish)

Achromatic color

a color not found in the visible spectrum; a neutral color such as white, black, gray, and silver and gold (for decorative purposes)

Acquired facial markings

facial markings that develop during one's lifetime, primarily as a result of repetitious use of certain muscles

After-image

psychological; a visual impression remaining after the stimulus has been removed

Airbrush

a pressured atomizer utilized for spraying liquid paint or cosmetic upon surface

Alveolar processes

a bony ridge found on the inferior surface of the Maxilla and the superior surface of the Mandible which contains the sockets for the teeth.

Alveolar prognathism

an abnormal protrusion of the alveolar process(es)

Analogous

in color harmony, two or more hues which have the same hue in common

Anchor

a material or technique employed to secure tissues or restorative materials in a fixed position; an armature

Angle of the mandible

a bony angle formed by the junction of the posterior edge of the ramus of the mandible and the inferior surface of the body of the mandible; marks widest part of lower 1/3 of face.

Angle of projection

the degree from vertical at which the surface(s) of a prominent feature projects

Angulus oris eminence

the small convex prominence found lateral to the end of the line of closure of the mouth; a natural facial marking.

Angulus oris sulcus

the groove found at each end of the line of closure of the mouth; a natural facial marking

Antemortem

before death

Anterior

before or in front of; an anatomical term of position and direction which denotes the front or forward part

Anterior nares

the external openings of the nostril

Antihelix

the inner rim of the ear

Antitragus

a small eminence obliquely opposite the Tragus on the superior border of the Lobe of the ear

Aqueous humor

a clear, thin, alkaline fluid which fills the anterior chamber of the eyeball.

Aquiline nasal profile

curved, as the beak of an eagle; as viewed from the profile, a nasal profile which exhibits a "hook" or convexity in its dorsum

Arch of the wing

the inferior margin of the nasal wing which forms a distinct concave arc superiorly.

Armature

framework; a material, commonly of pliable metal or wood, employed to provide support for a wax restoration

Aspiration

to draw out liquids or gases by means of suction

Asymmetry

lack of symmetry, balance, or proportion

Base

(1) in cosmetology, the vehicle in a cosmetic (oil base); the initial application of cream or cosmetic; (2) the lower part of anything, the supporting part

Basic pigment

white, yellow, red, and brown; four hues which correspond to the pigments of the skin

Basket weave suture

(Cross Stitch) a network of stitches which cross the borders of a cavity or excision to anchor fillers and to sustain tissues in their proper position

Bilateral

two sides (comparison of two sides of the face to observe the similarities and differences)

Bilateral differences

dissimilarities existing in the two sides or halves of an object

Bilateral view

an inferior or superior viewpoint which permits the comparison of the two sides or halves of an object or facial feature.

Black

an achromatic color; the absence of all color in pigmentation

Blanch

to whiten by removing color; to make pale

Bleach

a chemical which lightens or blanches skin discolorations

Bleaching

the act of lightening a discoloration by hypodermic means or by surface compress. (the use of an oxidizing chemical to remove stain or discoloration)

Bleed

color which escapes at the edge of a mixture

Blend

to mix or intermingle colors smoothly; to make a gradual change from one color to another.

Blonde

light yellow in coloration; a term commonly employed to describe hair color

Body of the mandible

the horizontal portion of the lower jaw

Bridge stitch

(interrupted suture) a temporary suture consisting of individually cut and tied stitches employed to sustain the proper position of tissues. (applied before embalming)

Bronze

brown or copper-like in coloration

Brown

the color of tanned leather

Brunette

dark brown in coloration; a term commonly employed to describe hair color

Bruise-

(ecchymosis) an injury caused by a blow within laceration; a contusion

Buccal cavity

the space between the lips and the gums and teeth; the vestibule of the oral cavity.

Buccal depressions

natural, shallow concavities of the cheeks which extend obliquely downward from the medial or lateral margins of the zygomatic bones

Buccinator

the principal muscle of the cheek which compresses the cheeks and forms the lateral wall of the mouth

Bucco-facial sulcus

the vertical furrow of the cheek; an acquired facial marking

Buck teeth

dental prognathism

Carmine

(crimson) purple-red in coloration

Carotene

the yellow pigment of the skin

Cartilage

a specialized type of dense connective tissue; attached to the ends of bones and forming parts of structures, such as the nasal septum and the framework of the ear.

Cast

casting; any object which has been made from a mold; the positive reproduction obtained from a negative impression.

Cauterizing agent

a chemical capable of drying tissues by searing; caustic

Cement

a substance used to promote the adhesion of two separated surfaces, such as the lips, the eyelids, or the margins of an incision

Charred

reduced to carbon; the state of tissues destroyed by burning.

Chromatic color

a color having hue; a color of the visible spectrum.

Cilia

the eyelashes.

Collodion

a clear syrup-like liquid which evaporates, leaving a contractile, white film, a liquid sealer.

Color

a visual sensation perceived by the eye and the mind due to the activity and vibration of light.

Colored filter

colored glass, gelatin, or other substances which transmit light of certain wave lengths while absorbing the others

Colored light

illumination of an identifiable hue

Color wheel

a circle in which the primary, secondary, and intermediate hues are arranged in orderly intervals.

Columna nasi

the fleshy termination of the nasal septum at the base of the nose; located between the nostrils; the most inferior part of the mass of the nose.

Complements

directly opposite hues on the color wheel; any two pigmentary hues which, by their mixture in equal quantities, produce gray.

Complexion

the color and texture of the skin, especially that of the face

Compound fracture

a broken bone which pierces the skin

Compress

gauze or absorbent cotton saturated with water or an appropriate chemical and placed under or upon tissues to preserve, bleach, dry, constrict, or reduce swelling.

Concave

exhibiting a depressed or hollow surface; a concavity

Concave-convex profile

a facial profile variation in which the forehead protrudes beyond the eyebrows while the chin recedes from the plane of the upper lip

Concave nasal profile

a depressed profile form which may dip concavely from root to tip.

Concave profile

a basic facial profile form in which the forehead protrudes beyond the eyebrows while the chin protrudes beyond the plane of the upper lip (e.g. infantine, retrousse, and least common profile).

Concave-vertical profile

a facial profile variation in which the forehead protrudes beyond the eyebrows while the upper lip and chin project equally to an imaginary vertical line.

Concha

the concave shell of the ear; the deepest depression of the ear

Concurrent

treatments of a restorative nature performed during the embalming operation

Condyle

a rounded prominence at the end of a bone forming an articulation; the posterior process of the ramus of the mandible

Contusion

a bruise

Conversion

the color of an object being converted or completely destroyed when one color of illumination strikes an object of a completely different color

Convex

curved evenly; resembling a segment of the outer edge of a sphere

Convex-concave profile

a profile variation in which the forehead recedes from the eyebrows while the chin protrudes beyond the plane of the upper lip

Convex nasal profile

(Roman, aquiline) a nasal profile which exhibits a hump in its linear form. e.g. Roman, aquiline.

Convex profile

a basic profile form in which the forehead recedes from the eyebrows while the chin recedes from the plane of the upper lip (most common profile)

Convex-vertical profile

a profile variation in which the forehead recedes from the eyebrows while the chin and upper project equally to an imaginary vertical line

Cool hue

blue, green, purple, or any intermediate pigmentary hue in which they predominate; a receding hue which creates the illusion of distance from the observer; a color of short wave lengths

Cords of the neck

vertical prominences of the neck; an acquired facial marking

Cornea

the transparent structure which constitutes the anterior segment of the external layer of the eyeball

Coronoid process

the anterior, non-articulating process of the ramus of the mandible which serves as the insertion for the temporalis muscle.

Corpulence

having an abnormal amount of fat on the body

Corrugator

a pyramid-shaped muscle of facial expression which draws the eyebrows inferiorly and medially

Cosmetic

a media for beautifying the complexion and skin, etc

Cosmetic compound

a cosmetic medium composed of two, three, or all four basic pigments

Cosmetic base

the initial application of a cream or paste cosmetic to skin tissues

Cosmetizing

the process of applying cosmetics to a surface

Cosmetologist

(beautician) a professional trained in the application of cosmetics and the styling of hair

Cosmetology

the study of beautifying and improving the complexion, skin, hair, and nails

Cranium

that part of the human skull which encloses the brain

Cream cosmetic

a semi-solid cosmetic.