Large pear-shaped silicone facial implant, United Kingdom, 1996
Made from an elastic type of silicone, this pear-shaped implant is used for reconstructive surgery of the face. Materials such as silicone are used for surgery because the human body does not recognise them so they tend not to be attacked by the immune system and rejected. This example was made by Nagor Ltd, a company that designs and manufactures implants. It is shown here with four other facial examples (2000-229, 2000-231, 2000-232, 2000-233).
Object number:
2000-230
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: plastic surgery
A surgical speciality dealing with the restoration or construction of the body. Often used to refer to elective surgery done for aesthetic reasons.
Glossary: silicone implant
An implant that is inserted into the body by surgery, typically to enhance a particular area (commonly breasts). Silicon is a synthetic material that remains unaltered by changes in temperature and is resistant to chemical attack.