What does prosthesis mean?
A prosthesis is an artificial device used to replace or support a missing, damaged, or nonfunctioning part of the body. The best-known examples are prosthetic limbs, but the term also covers artificial joints, dental replacements, and devices that support a weakened body structure. In medicine, prosthesis may refer both to the device and to the surgical procedure of implanting it, although the latter usage is less common in general writing. The word has a technical, professional register and is often associated with rehabilitation, surgery, and biomedical engineering. Its unusual plural, prostheses, reflects its Greek and Latin history. In everyday conversation, prosthetic is more frequent when describing a device or its qualities, as in a prosthetic arm, while prosthesis usually names the device as a noun. Related terms distinguish replacement from correction: a prosthesis replaces a body part, whereas an orthosis supports or controls an existing one.
nounAn artificial device that replaces or supports a missing or impaired body part, especially a limb, joint, tooth, or other structure. In medical contexts, the term can also refer to the surgical replacement of a body part with an artificial substitute.
- An artificial device that replaces or supports a missing or impaired body part, especially a limb, joint, tooth, or other structure.
- The surgical procedure or medical practice of fitting an artificial body part.
"After the accident, the rehabilitation team designed a lightweight prosthesis that allowed him to walk again."
"The athlete trained with a prosthetic leg designed for running."
"The surgeon explained the risks of the prosthesis implantation procedure."
The irregular plural changes the final syllable and is pronounced /ˈθiːsiːz/. Both a singular prosthesis and plural prostheses are standard.
"The museum displays several prostheses used by soldiers wounded in the nineteenth century."
A prosthesis can restore not only a missing limb but also the possibility of movement, balance, and independence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prosthesis come from?
The word entered English through Latin, which borrowed it from Greek prosthesis, meaning an addition or putting forward. Greek prosthesis was based on prosthesthai, “to put forward” or “to add,” reflecting the idea of attaching something in place of what is absent. The same root produced the English family prosthetic, prosthetics, prosthetically, and prosthetist. The modern plural prostheses preserves the inherited Greek-style plural ending.
Related word forms
How prosthesis is actually used
The word is primarily formal and medical. Its plural is prostheses, while the related adjective is prosthetic; both singular and plural forms are standard in clinical writing.
Easily confused with prosthesis
A prosthesis is the artificial device itself, whereas prosthetic is the adjective describing the device or the medical field.
A prosthesis replaces a missing or deficient body part, while an orthosis supports or corrects the function and alignment of an existing limb or joint.