How Do You Spell FACIAL HEMIATROPHY?

1. Facial Hemiatrophy, also known as Parry-Romberg Syndrome or Progressive Hemifacial Atrophy, is a rare medical condition characterized by the gradual wasting away or degeneration of one side of the face. The term "hemiatrophy" refers to the asymmetric loss of fat, muscle, and skin tissues, resulting in facial deformity and atrophy on one side of the face.

   The exact cause of Facial Hemiatrophy remains unknown, but it is believed to involve an autoimmune response or abnormal functioning of the immune system, leading to the destruction of facial tissues. Symptoms typically begin during childhood or adolescence and progress slowly over the course of several years. The wasting process may affect the skin, fat layers, underlying muscles, bones, and occasionally the eye and mouth structures.

   Common signs of Facial Hemiatrophy include facial asymmetry, facial sagging or drooping, loss of facial fat, sunken eye, dental abnormalities, and sometimes neurological symptoms such as migraines or seizures. While the disease doesn't usually cause pain or discomfort, it can significantly impact an individual's self-esteem and overall quality of life.

   Treatment options for Facial Hemiatrophy aim to manage the symptoms and improve facial appearance. These may include cosmetic interventions like dermal fillers or fat grafting to restore lost volume, facial implants, orthodontic treatment, physiotherapy, and in severe cases, reconstructive surgery. However, it is important to note that treatment outcomes vary, and there is currently no known cure for this condition.

2. Atrophy, usually progressive, affecting the muscles of one side of the face.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for FACIAL HEMIATROPHY

The word "facial hemiatrophy" is originated from the combination of two terms: "facial" and "hemiatrophy".

The term "facial" refers to the face, which includes the structures of the head, such as the eyes, mouth, nose, and cheeks. It is derived from the Latin word "faciēs", meaning "face".

The term "hemiatrophy" is composed of two parts: "hemi-" and "-atrophy". "Hemi-" is a prefix indicating "half", while "atrophy" comes from the Ancient Greek word "atrophḗ", meaning "wasting away" or "degenerative". Atrophy refers to a gradual shrinkage or decrease in size of a body part, tissue, or organ.

Therefore, "facial hemiatrophy" literally means the degenerative or wasting away of half of the face.