What it means
Implants replace a body part, support it, deliver a drug or monitor the body. Examples are joint replacements, pacemakers, breast implants, cochlear implants, dental implants and contraceptive implants placed under the skin of the arm. As a verb, implant also means a fertilized egg attaching to the wall of the uterus.
For the nurse
Ask about implants before an MRI, since some metal devices are not safe in the scanner.
At a glance
| Spanish | implante |
|---|---|
| Also written | implants, implanted |
Related terms
magnetic resonance imaging
An imaging test that uses a strong magnet and radio waves to make detailed pictures of the inside of the body.
arthroplasty
Surgery to repair or replace a joint, most often the hip or knee.