Prosthetic

Definition

A prosthetic is a term for anything that is a replacement or addition to the body or a body part.

Prosthetics in Everyday Life

Examples of prosthetics in everyday life are glasses, contact lenses, replacement legs and arms, and anything else that augments the body and extends the use of a body part.

Types of Prosthetics

Generally the term prosthetic is used to describe external attachments and appendages, but there are increasing experiments with internal prosthetics attached to one's nervous system. A prosthetic that borders on internal and external prosthetic is the cochlear implant. Artificial hips are permanent implants, while hearing aids and dentures are removable.

Neural implants and prosthetics are generally used as substitutes for sensory input such as sight or sound. "Brain implants, often referred to as neural implants, are technological devices that connect directly to a biological subject's brain - usually placed on the surface of the brain, or attached to the brain's cortex".