Maybe we can add more to the definition category for other specialities as well.
Alveolar Ridge -- The bony ridge of the gumline containing the teeth.
Articulation -- Movements of the mouth and airway that produce speech.
Articulation Test -- An evaluation which provides information about how speech sounds are formed.
Audiogram -- A record of hearing levels or sensitivity.
Audiologist -- A person with a degree, license, and certification in audiology (science of hearing) who measures hearing, identifies hearing loss, and participates in rehabilitation of hearing impairment.
Columella -- The central, lower portion of the nose which divides the nostrils into right and left.
Communication Disorder -- An interference with a person's ability to comprehend others or express themselves (usually in verbal form).
Comprehension -- Knowledge or understanding of spoken or written language.
Congenital -- A disease, deformity, or deficiency existing at the time of birth.
Craniofacial Anomaly -- A visible, structural and/or functional difference affecting the head (cranium) and/or face.
Crossbite -- A dental condition where the upper teeth are behind the lower teeth rather than in front of them.
Denasality -- The quality of voice that lacks normal nasal resonance for /m /n/ ng ("head cold" sound).
Dental Arch -- The curved structure formed by the teeth in their normal position.
Dental Extraction -- Dental procedures performed to remove damaged, malformed, or malpositioned teeth.
Dental Restoration -- Dental procedures performed to repair or correct damaged, malformed, or missing teeth.
Eardrum -- Tympanic membrane which vibrates and transmits sound to the middle ear.
E.N.T. -- The abbreviation for ear, nose, and throat.
Eustachian Tube -- The air duct which connects the nasopharynx (back of the throat) with the middle ear; usually closed at one end, opens with yawning and swallowing; allows ventilation of the middle ear cavity and equalization of pressure on two sides of the eardrum.
Expressive Language -- Communication of one's ideas, desires, or intentions to others, usually through speech or printed words.
Fistula -- An abnormal opening, usually referring to a hole in the palate after repair.
Genetics -- The science of heredity (how things pass from one generation to the next).
Hard Palate -- The front part of the roof of the mouth containing bone covered by mucosa (pink "skin").
Hearing Impairment -- A loss in hearing which may range from mild loss to complete deafness.
Heredity -- The total of the physical characteristics, abilities, and potentialities genetically derived from one's ancestors.
Hypernasality -- Speech that sounds overly "nasal," as if the person is "talking through his/her nose."
Hyponasality -- Denasality. A lack of normal nasal resonance during speech.
Language Disorder or Impairment -- Inability to communicate normally and effectively due to problems with comprehension or expression of language.
Malocclusion -- A deviation from normal occlusion, that is, incorrect positioning of the upper teeth in relation to the lower teeth.
Mandible -- The lower jaw.
Maxilla -- The upper jaw.
Middle Ear -- The portion of the ear behind the eardrum. It contains three small bones which transfer sound from the eardrum to the inner ear.
Myringotomy -- A minor surgical procedure in which a small slit is made in the ear-drum to allow fluid to drain from the middle ear.
Multidisciplinary Team -- A group of professionals who work together to help plan and carry out treatment for patients with cleft lip, cleft palate, and related disorders. The group usually includes surgeons, dental specialists, speech pathologist, and others who meet regularly to evaluate and discuss the patients under their care.
Nasal Emission or Nasal Escape -- An abnormal flow of air through the nose during speech. Usually indicative of an incomplete seal between oral and nasal cavities.
Nasal Septum -- The "wall" that divides the nose into right and left halves. It normally joins the roof of the hard palate like an "inverted 7."
Nasopharyngoscope -- A lighted telescopic instrument used for examining the passages in the back of the throat. Useful in assessing velopharyngeal function.
Occlusion -- Relationship between upper and lower teeth when they are in contact. Refers to the alignment of teeth as well as relationship of dental arches.
Oral Cavity -- The mouth bounded by the teeth in front and the soft palate at the back.
Oral-Maxillo Facial Surgery -- The specialty of dentistry concerned with management of dental and skeletal deformities.
Orofacial -- Relating to the mouth and face.
Orthodontics -- The specialty of dentistry concerned with the correction and prevention of irregularities and malocclusion of the teeth and jaws.
Orthodontic Care -- Dental visits designed to move the teeth into better alignment with one another to improve chewing, oral hygiene, and appearance.
Otitis Media -- Inflammation of the middle ear with accumulation of thick, mucous-like fluid - Ear infection.
Otolaryngologist -- An "ear, nose and throat" physician specializing in the diagnosis and management of head and neck disorders.
Palatal Insufficiency -- A lack or shortness of tissue preventing the soft palate from contacting the back of the throat (pharynx).
Palate -- The roof of the mouth including the front portion, or hard palate, and the back portion, or the soft palate (also called the velum).
Pediatric Dentistry -- The specialty of dentistry concerned with the care of children's teeth.
Pharyngeal Flap -- Surgical procedure designed to minimize hypernasality. A flap of skin creates a "bridge" between the soft palate and the back of the throat
Philtral Columns -- Normal ridges in the skin of the central upper lip connecting the peaks of the Cupid's bow to the back of the nose.
Premaxilla -- The small bone in the upper jaw which contains the upper four front teeth. Normally connected with the side segments of the upper jaw (maxilla) but separated in some clefts.
Speech Videofluoroscopy -- A tape recorded x-ray examination of the speech mechanism during function, focusing on the soft palate (velum) and walls of the throat (pharynx). Useful in assessing velopharyngeal function.
Sphincter Pharyngoplasty -- Surgical procedure designed to minimize hypernasality.
Velopharyngeal Closure -- The closing of the nasal cavity from the oral cavity which directs air used in speech through the mouth rather than the nose. It requires interaction of the muscles in the palate and the back of the throat.
Velopharyngeal Incompetence -- Inability to achieve adequate velopharyngeal closure despite structures that may appear normal.
Velopharyngeal Insufficiency -- A structural or functional disorder resulting in the inability to achieve adequate separation of the nasal and oral cavities.
Velum -- The Latin name for the soft palate.
Voice Disorder -- Speech problems such as hoarseness, low speaking volume, or strained voice quality