Appliance

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Appliance (medicine)

Appliance (pronounced: /əˈplʌɪəns/) in the context of medicine, refers to a device used to improve a function or treat a medical condition.

Etymology

The term "appliance" originates from the Latin word "applicare" which means "to apply". In the medical context, it is used to denote any device applied to the body to correct a defect, improve function, or support a healing process.

Types of Medical Appliances

There are various types of medical appliances used in healthcare, some of which include:

  • Orthotic devices: These are devices used to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities or to improve the function of movable parts of the body.
  • Prosthetic devices: These are artificial devices that replace a missing body part, which may be lost through trauma, disease, or a condition present at birth.
  • Dental appliances: These include a variety of devices used in dentistry, such as braces, retainers, bridges, crowns, and dentures.
  • Assistive devices: These are devices designed to assist people with disabilities, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and visual aids.

Related Terms

  • Medical device: A broader term that includes medical appliances, but also encompasses other tools, machines, and implants used in healthcare.
  • Therapeutic device: A type of medical device used specifically for treating disease or improving health.
  • Diagnostic device: A type of medical device used specifically for diagnosing disease or other medical conditions.

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski