Prosthetic

Prosthetic, mechanical or electrical device inserted into or onto the body to replace or supplement the function of a missing, defective, or diseased organ. Artificial limbs were among the first prosthetics, but metal or plastic joint replacements and bone fixations are now also available. Replacement teeth are also prosthetics. The valves of the heart may be replaced with mechanical devices, and electrical pacemakers can be implanted to stimulate the heart muscle at a set rate.