Plastic Surgery Vocabulary Quiz
12 multiple-choice questions on plastic and reconstructive surgery vocabulary: rhinoplasty, liposuction, facelift, augmentation, graft, suture, implant, anaesthesia and more. B2–C1 level.
This quiz focuses on how the target vocabulary for Plastic Surgery is actually used in context at B2–C1 level, rather than testing bare definitions. Correct answers you will need to identify include terms such as rhinoplasty, liposuction, facelift, augmentation and reconstruction, each embedded in a full example sentence so you have to judge meaning from context, not just recognise an isolated word.
Working through all 12 questions and checking the explanations in the FAQ below is a quick way to spot any terms you are still unsure of. Revisiting the quiz again after a day or two, rather than only once, is one of the most reliable ways to move new vocabulary from passive recognition into words you can use confidently yourself in speaking and writing.
Keep building your plastic surgery vocabulary.
Plastic Surgery Vocabulary — FAQ
What does 'rhinoplasty' mean in medical English?
Rhinoplasty is the medical term for nose reshaping surgery. The word comes from the Greek 'rhinos' (nose) and 'plassein' (to mould or shape). It is one of the most common cosmetic surgical procedures and can be performed for aesthetic reasons or to correct structural problems that affect breathing, such as a deviated septum.
What is the difference between a graft and an implant?
A graft is transplanted biological tissue — usually taken from the patient's own body (autograft) or a donor — and used to repair or replace damaged areas. An implant, by contrast, is a manufactured device made of synthetic materials such as silicone or titanium that is surgically inserted into the body. Grafts integrate with living tissue; implants remain as foreign objects within it.
Why is anaesthesia important in plastic surgery?
Anaesthesia is essential for pain prevention during surgical procedures. Without it, patients would experience severe pain and could go into shock. In plastic surgery, local anaesthesia numbs a small area for minor procedures, while general anaesthesia renders the patient fully unconscious for longer or more complex operations such as facelifts or reconstructive surgery.
What is the difference between plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery?
Plastic surgery is a broad field covering both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Cosmetic surgery aims to improve appearance in healthy individuals — for example, rhinoplasty or liposuction. Reconstructive surgery, on the other hand, aims to restore normal appearance and function after trauma, disease or birth defects — for example, rebuilding a breast after mastectomy or repairing a cleft palate.
What does 'suture' mean and how is it used?
A suture is a stitch used to close a wound or incision. Surgeons use sutures — made from materials such as nylon, silk or absorbable polymers — to hold the edges of cut tissue together while healing takes place. The word 'suture' can refer both to the thread itself and to the act of stitching. Absorbable sutures dissolve on their own; non-absorbable ones must be removed after healing.
What is scar revision and when is it needed?
Scar revision is a procedure aimed at improving the appearance of a scar — making it less visible or helping it blend with the surrounding skin. It may be needed when a scar is raised (hypertrophic or keloid), depressed, discoloured or in a prominent location. Techniques range from topical treatments and laser therapy to surgical excision and skin grafting, depending on the severity and type of scar.
What is an incision in surgery?
An incision is a deliberate surgical cut made through the skin and underlying tissue to provide access for a procedure. Surgeons plan incisions carefully to minimise scarring, taking into account natural skin folds (Langer's lines) and the location of underlying structures. The size, depth and placement of an incision are critical factors in both the success of the operation and the appearance of the resulting scar.
How is the word 'augmentation' used in medical contexts?
'Augmentation' means enlargement or enhancement and is used in surgery to describe procedures that increase the size or volume of a body part. The most common example is breast augmentation, in which implants or fat grafting are used to increase breast size. The term is also used in reconstructive contexts, such as augmenting a jaw or cheek with implants or the patient's own tissue.
What is a prosthesis and how does it differ from an implant?
A prosthesis is an artificial device that replaces a missing or damaged body part entirely — for example, a prosthetic leg, arm or eye. An implant, while also a foreign device placed in the body, typically supplements or augments an existing structure rather than replacing a missing one. The distinction is functional: a prosthesis substitutes for an absent part, while an implant modifies or enhances what is already there.
What vocabulary level is needed to study plastic surgery in English?
Understanding plastic surgery vocabulary in English typically requires a B2–C1 level. At B2 you should be comfortable with general medical terms and procedural language. At C1 you can engage with clinical descriptions, research articles and patient information leaflets. Key areas to study include surgical procedures (rhinoplasty, liposuction, facelift), wound management vocabulary (suture, incision, graft) and post-operative care terminology.