Medical dictionary

What is osteosynthesis? Osteosynthesis is a type of reconstructive surgery aimed at stabilising and joining the ends of a broken bone after a fracture, an osteotomy, or a non-union from a previous fracture. Bone fragments are stabilised by using mechanical devices. This allows for a complete or partial healing of the muscles and joint function. Once the bone fragments are stable, the mechani

What is an osteotomy? An osteotomy is a surgical procedure, carried out using general anaesthesia, that repairs damaged joints by cutting and reshaping the bones.  An osteotomy can be performed on the following joints: Knee Hip Spine Jaw Chin Big toe Why is an osteotomy done? An osteotomy will fix problems experienced in different bones and joints. Knee

What is otitis? Otitis is also known as an ear infection and occurs when there is a bacterial or viral infection within the ear. Ear infections can be acute, lasting a short duration, or chronic with frequent occurrence. Otitis can affect the internal or external parts of the ear. Ear infections are common in children.  There are different types of otitis:Otitis externa – also

What is otology? Otology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study of the ear and its diseases. This discipline is part of otorhinolaryngology, the speciality concerned with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the ear, nose and throat. Unlike otorhinolaryngologists (also known as Ear, Nose and Throat [ENT] specialists), otologists do not treat diseases of the nose an

What otomycosis? Otomycosis is a fungal infection of the outer ear. There are many types of fungus that can cause an ear infection, the most common being Aspergillus and Candida. Due to the warmth and moisture that fungi require to grow, otomycosis is most commonly seen in hot and humid climates, particularly during the summer. It is also more common among people who play water sports o

What is otoneurology? Otoneurology, or neuro-otology, combines aspects of otology (the field of medicine studying the ear and its conditions) and neurology (which deals with the brain and nervous system). Neuro-otology is a sub-specialty in the field of ear, nose and throat (ENT) dealing with conditions of the ear and how they’re related to the central nervous system, as well as h

What is otoplasty? Otoplasty, which is also known as pinnaplasty, ear correction surgery or cosmetic ear surgery, is a surgical procedure to change the size, shape or position of the ears. Otoplasty is often associated with pinning ears back that appear as very protruding, so this is a common form of otoplasty carried out, but it is also known as pinnaplasty. Depending on the age of the pati

What is otosclerosis? Otosclerosis is a medical condition that affects the bones of the middle ear, specifically the stapes bone. The stapes bone, also known as the stirrup bone, is one of the three tiny bones in the middle ear responsible for transmitting sound vibrations from the outer ear to the inner ear. In otosclerosis, abnormal bone growth occurs in the middle ear, particularly around

What is ovarian cancer? The ovary is the organ which produces eggs in women. These eggs then travel to the uterus through the fallopian tubes during ovulation. Sometimes epithelial cells or germ cells inside the ovaries multiply excessively, generating a tumour mass inside the ovary itself.   There are several kinds of ovarian cancer: benign tumours: for example, ovarian cy