Glossary

Barium:

a white substance, visible in X-ray, that is mixed with food used in a Modified Barium Swallow Test.

Computer Aided Design (CAD):

The use of computer technology to aid in the 2-D or 3-D design of a product.

Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM):

CAM creates real life versions of components designed within a CAD software.

Computed Tomography (CT):

A medical imaging process that is used to generate a 3D form from x-rays

Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM):

A standard format for medical images. Just like a jpeg file in digital photography.

Electropalatography:

a technology using sensors on the Hard Palate to detect tongue contact with the roof of the mouth.

EMG:

Electromyography. A technology used to obtain graphic recording of electrical activity of a muscle.

Endoscope:

medical instrument used for Endoscopy, consisting of a rigid or flexible tube with a camera and a light source to record video from inside the body.

Endoscopy:

visual examination of the interior of a body part such as the nose or the throat, using an endoscope.

Epiglottis:

cartilage attached to the base of tongue in your throat above your airway. When swallowing, the epiglottis inverts to cover the airway and allow food or liquid to pass safely into the esophagus.

Esophagus:

food tube from your throat to your stomach

Floor of Mouth:

the soft tissue area under your tongue

Hard Palate:

the roof of your mouth.

Larynx:

commonly known as the voicebox. structure of muscles and cartilages in which the vocal folds are located.

Mandible:

the bony part of your skull that makes up the lower jaw, which forms the lower portion of your face and chin, and in which your lower teeth exist.

Maxilla:

the bony part of your skull that makes up the upper jaw, which forms the hard palate, and in which your upper teeth exist.

Medical Model:

A solid anatomical model built by a RP machine for use by a doctor/clinician.

Modified Barium Swallow (MBS):

an X-ray video test to look at swallowing ability. You will have a variety of foods mixed with Barium (see definition) that will appear on the X-ray video. This allows clinicians to see how the food is handled in the mouth and throat before it goes down to the stomach, and to see if there are problems with food going into your airway or your nasal cavity. also called VFSS.

Rapid Prototype (RP):

The process of building solid models from takes computer generated 3D shapes.

Soft Palate:

a structure composed of several muscles that attach to the back of the Hard Palate. The soft palate moves up and down to separate the nasal cavity from the mouth during speech and swallowing. also called Velum.

Stereolithography (SLA):

Building in 3D. More commonly a machine that builds 3D models from light sensitive liquid resin.

Velopharynx:

area of the throat at the level of the Soft Palate or Velum.

Velum:

see Soft Palate.

Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS):

see Modified Barium Swallow.

Xerostomia:

dry mouth, often caused by radiation therapy, surgical removal of saliva glands or medications