Terms and Definitions

Cleft lip:
a birth defect characterized by one or more clefts in the upper lip resulting from failure of the embryonic parts of the lip to unite. Also called harelip.
Cleft palate:
a congenital deformation of the roof of the mouth produced by failure of the two maxillae to unite during embryonic development and often associated with cleft lip.
Craniofacial:
referring to or involving both the cranium (skull) and the face.
Craniofacial dysostosis:
defective formation of the bone. Syndromes include Crouzon, Apert, and Pfeiffer syndromes.
Craniosynostosis:
any premature fusion of the sutures of the skull. Types include coronal, metopic, sagittal, and lambdoidal.
Encephaloceles:
hernia of the brain that is either congenital or caused by trauma.
Fibrous dysplasia of the bone:
an abnormal growth or development within the bone tissue.
Hemangioma:
a usually benign tumor made up of blood vessels and typically occurring as a purplish or reddish slightly elevated area of skin.
Hemifacial microsomia:
a condition in which the lower half of either side of the face grows abnormally and remains underdeveloped.
Melanoma:
skin cancer, can be benign or malignant.
Neurofibromatosis:
an inherited disorder characterized by brown spots on the skin, neurofibromas of peripheral nerves, and deformities of subcutaneous tissues and bone.
Otoplasty:
plastic surgery of the external ear.
Port-wine stain:
a vascular birthmark made of enlarged capillaries in the skin, which produce a reddish-purplish discoloration.
Rheumatoid arthritis:
a usually chronic disease characterized by pain, stiffness, inflammation, swelling, and sometimes destruction of joints.
Rhinoplasty:
plastic surgery on the nose, usually for cosmetic purposes.
Sarcoma:
a malignant tumor arising in connective tissue, bone, cartilage, or striated muscle that spreads into neighboring tissue or through the bloodstream.
Stork bite:
a temporary, deep pink birthmark found often on the eyelids, forehead, and nape of the neck.