
ExpHand Prosthetics
Glossary: Terms used to talk about limb difference
Updated: Aug 23, 2021
Lots of different terms are used to talk about limb difference and other associated medical conditions, prosthetics, body parts and equipment. Some of the words listed may be familiar to you, and some of these may be unfamiliar or technical terms commonly used by medical professionals and clinicians.
We have created a list of some of the words you may come across when speaking about or researching limb differences. We hope that this will help provide some clarity and help create greater understanding around the subject.
Abduction Movement of a limb away from the body
Acheiria Congenital absence of one or both hands
Adduction Movement of a limb towards the body
Adyctyly Congenital absence of one or more fingers or toes
Amelia Absence of a limb
Amniotic band A fibrous string-like structure in the womb that can occasionally restrict blood flow and affect the baby’s development
Aphalangia Absent fingers or toes
Assistive device Tool or technology that promotes independence by enabling people to perform tasks that were previously impossible or difficult
Atrophy Wasting of tissues and muscles
Bilateral Affecting both sides (e.g. both arms)
Brachydactyly Short finger or thumb
Carpal bones The cluster of bones in the hand between the forearm (radius and ulna) and the metacarpals (long bones in the hand)
Check socket A temporary socket used for testing the fit of the prosthesis
Congenital limb deficiency / difference Absence of a limb or part of a limb at birth
Contra-lateral Relating to the opposite side
Contracture A shortening of muscle and/or tendons, often leading to a limb or body part bending in an unusual direction
Cosmetic cover The outside layer of a prosthesis to give it a realistic appearance
Digital amputation Amputation of toe or finger
Dysplasia Abnormal development of bones and soft tissues
Early childhood intervention Services that provide specialised support and services for infants and young children with developmental delay or disability
Ectrodactyly Partial or total absence of central fingers
Flexion The movement of a body segment into a more bent position (eg. bending the elbow is the same as flexing the elbow)
Extension The movement of a body segment into a more straight position (eg. straightening the knee is the same as extending the knee)
Hemimelia Absence of half a limb
Humerus Upper arm bone
Hypoplasia Under-development of bones and tissues
Lateral Outside aspect of leg and arm when body is in a normal position
Liner The sleeve that goes between the prosthetic socket and the limb
Medial Inside of the leg and arm when the body is in a normal position
Metacarpals A group of five long bones in the hand located between the carpal bones and the phalanges (finger bones)
Meromelia Partial absence of a limb
Milestones The theoretical stages of child development
Myoelectric prosthesis Uses the electrical signals from voluntarily contracted muscles in a person’s residual limb to control the movements of the prosthesis
Phalanges The long bones in the fingers and toes
Phantom pain The feeling of pain in an absent limb
Phantom sensation Awareness of the amputated limb
Polydactyly More than the normal number of fingers or thumbs
Pressure area Tender or broken skin caused by prolonged or excessive pressure
Prosthesis Artificial limb
Radius Long forearm bone on the thumb side
Residual limb The remaining part of the limb, sometimes referred to as a ‘stump’
Rigid dressing A hard protective cover or a cast applied soon after amputation to control swelling and protect the residual limb
Shoulder disarticulation Amputation through the shoulder joint
Shrinker A compression sock used to control swelling in the residual limb after amputation
Socket The custom made part of the prosthesis which encases the residual limb
Stump volume Size of the residual limb
Stump sock A sock worn over residual limb to provide a cushion between the skin and socket
Suspension Refers to how the prosthesis is held on
Symbrachydactyly Under-developed hand with central finger deficiencies
Symphalangia Stiff fingers or thumb from fusion of bones
Syndactyly Webbed fingers or thumb
Synostosi Bone fusion
Terminal device The attachment on the end of an upper limb prosthesis (eg. hooks, hands, specialized tools)
Transhumeral amputation Amputation above the elbow through the humerus
Transmetacarpal amputation Amputation through the metacarpal bones
Transradial amputation Amputation below elbow through the bones of the radius and ulna (the bones between the elbow and wrist – the forearm)
Ulna Long forearm bone on the little finger side
Unilateral Affecting one side
Weight transference Moving weight from one side to the other
Wrist disarticulation Amputation through the wrist joint