What is "ptosis"

Ptosis \Pto"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a falling.] (Med.) Drooping of the upper eyelid, produced by paralysis of its levator muscle.

1743, from Greek ptosis, literally "falling, a fall," also "the case of a noun," nominal derivative of piptein "to fall" (see symptom). In English, especially of the eyelid. Related: Ptotic.

n. The prolapse of a bodily organ, especially drooping of the eyelid or the breasts.

1. n. drooping of the upper eyelid caused by muscle paralysis and weakness

2. [also: ptoses (pl)]

Ptosis (from the Greek word πτῶσις "falling", "a fall", "dropped") refers to droopiness of a body part. Specifically, it can refer to:

• Ptosis (eyelid) (the most common usage of the term), a drooping of the upper or lower eyelid
• Ptosis (breasts), refers to drooping or sagging of the breast. Breast ptosis is related to the laxity of the superficial fascia, suspensory ligaments and skin
• Gastroptosis (stomach), the abnormal downward displacement of the stomach. It is not a life-threatening condition. The condition frequently causes digestive symptoms and constipation, and is much more prominent in women than men
• Nephroptosis or renal ptosis (kidney)
• Visceroptosis (internal organs), a prolapse or a sinking of the abdominal viscera (internal organs) below their natural position

Female breast ptosis or sagging is a natural consequence of aging. The rate at which a woman's breasts droop and the degree of ptosis depends on many factors. The key factors influencing breast ptosis over a woman's lifetime are cigarette smoking, her number of pregnancies, gravity, higher body mass index, larger bra cup size, and significant weight gain and loss. Post-menopausal women may experience increased ptosis due to a loss of skin elasticity. Many women and medical professionals mistakenly believe that breastfeeding increases sagging. It is also commonly believed that the breast itself offers insufficient support and that wearing a bra prevents sagging which has not been found to be true.

Plastic surgeons categorize the severity of ptosis by evaluating the position of the nipple relative to the infra-mammary fold, the point at which the underside of the breasts attach to the chest wall. In the most advanced stage, the nipples are below the fold and point towards the ground.

Ptosis is a drooping or falling of the upper eyelid. The drooping may be worse after being awake longer, when the individual's muscles are tired. This condition is sometimes called "lazy eye", but that term normally refers to amblyopia. If severe enough and left untreated, the drooping eyelid can cause other conditions, such as amblyopia or astigmatism. This is why it is especially important for this disorder to be treated in children at a young age, before it can interfere with vision development. The term is from Greek Ptosis "Blepharoptosis" or πτῶσις, to "fall".

A chin that droops over the jawline is called a ptotic chin. Ptosis of the tip of the chin is common and can be seen in persons of any age. It is frequently seen in older patients but not infrequently, it is seen in young people as a familial trait. More commonly, however, the droop develops over time as the chin pad slides downward along with the soft tissues elsewhere in the face and neck.