Glossary
This article provides a glossary of terms, acronyms and other terminology covered in the course.
You can access this step at any time in the course. If you find a term that isn’t listed here, post a comment in the discussion and we will add it to the glossary.
This glossary is also available as a download at the bottom of this step.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
ACUTE ANGLE
An angle that measures less than 90° but more than 0°.
ADIPOCEROUS MUMMY
The skin of the deceased becomes waxy and ‘soap-like’. This occurs when the body is stored in a warm, damp, alkaline environment.
AMALGAM
An alloy of mercury with another metal used in dental fillings.
ANATOMY
The scientific study of the bodily structure of living organisms.
ANTERIOR TEETH
Group of teeth, incisors and canines, located in the front part of the mouth.
AURICULAR SURFACE
Irregular, ‘ear-shaped’ surface of the medial aspect of the ilium.
B
BOLUS
A ball-like mixture of food or leaves and saliva that forms in the mouth during the process of chewing.
BOTANIST
A scientific expert in the study of plants.
BUNION
A bony deformity at the base of the big toe.
C
CRANIOFACIAL
The part of the skull that encloses the brain (cranio-) and the bones relating to the face (-facial).
D
DEMINERALIZATION
Loss of minerals from the tooth surface affecting the superficial layer called enamel.
DENTAL ERUPTION
Process in which teeth move from being embedded in the bone of the jaw to being visible in the mouth.
DENTINE
The yellowish layer of tooth structure located under enamel.
DENTITION
The development of teeth and their arrangement in the mouth.
E
EFIT
Electronic Facial Identification Technique.
ENTOMOLOGIST
An expert in insects.
F
FLEXION
Movement around a joint that reduces the angle between two bones.
FORENSIC
The scientific method and techniques related to investigating a crime.
FORENSIC ANATOMY
The scientific study of human remains for criminal and legal purposes.
I
ILIUM
Large bone forming the upper part of the pelvis.
K
KERATOTIC WHITE LESIONS
White patches located inside the mouth that usually start after chronic injury of the tissues, composed of thickened keratin, which looks white when wet.
L
LATERAL
Towards the outside edges of the body.
M
MEDIAL
Relating to the middle or midline of the body.
METATARSAL PHALANGEAL JOINT
Joint between the bones that make up the arch of the foot (metatarsals) and the toes (phalanges).
MORPHOLOGY
The study of the form of things.
N
NASAL BRIDGE
Upper, bony part of the nose.
NASAL APERTURE
Heart or pear shaped opening in the centre of the skull.
O
OBTUSE ANGLE
An angle more than 90° but less than 180°.
ODONTOLOGIST
A scientific expert in the structure and diseases of teeth.
ORBIT
Cavity or socket in the skull in which the eye is located.
OSTEOBIOGRAPHY
The process of identifying human remains or the biography of bones.
P
PATHOLOGIST
A scientist who examines human remains for forensic purposes.
PERIODONTAL DISEASE
A set of inflammatory conditions affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth (gums). This will produce bleeding of the gums and loss of bone resulting in teeth becoming loose.
POSTERIOR TEETH
Group of teeth, molars and premolars, located in the back part of the mouth.
PROGNATHISM
Having an upper or lower jaw that protrudes horizontally from the rest of the skull.
PROTUBERANCE
A rounded projection on a bone.
PUBIC SYMPHYSIS
The joint between the bones at the front of the pelvis.
S
SUPRAORBITAL RIDGE
Bony ridge or prominent region above the eye sockets on a skull.
Forensic Facial Reconstruction: Finding Mr. X
Forensic Facial Reconstruction: Finding Mr. X
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