prosthesis

     

In meicine, a prosthesis is an artificial extension that replaces a missing body part. It is part of the field of biomechatronics, the science of fusing mechanical devices with human muscle, skeleton, and nervous systems to assist or enhance motor control lost by trauma, disease, or defect. Prostheses are typically used to replace parts lost by injury (traumatic) or missing from birth (congenital) or to supplement defective body parts. In addition to the standard artificial limb for every-day use, many amputees have special limbs and devices to aid in the participation of sports and recreational activities.

Trivia about prosthesis

  • This term for an artificial limb comes from the Greek for "to add"
  • (Jon of the Clue Crew reports from NC State University in Raleigh, NC.) A cat born with a birth defect, whose model is seen here, is being fitted with this experimental device, from the Greek for "addition"

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