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Epidermis - The outermost layer of the skin. The epidermis contains no nerves or blood vessels, so the epidermis alone is incapable of sensation or bleeding. Composed of a protective outer layer of nonliving keratin-derived scale cells, the epidermis acts as an envelope or seal against the environment and exerts some control on the amount of moisture lost to the environment. The epidermis contains keratinocytes (cells that make keratin) and melanocytes (cells that make pigment), as well as other specialized cells.

Fat - When referring to the skin only, fat is stored in cells and usually makes up the bulk of the subcutaneous layer. This is the only layer in which liposuction takes place. However, it is interesting that there are many locations for body fat that are not part of the skin, including omental fat around the intestines, fat in the eyesockets, fat inside bone, etc. Fat is composed of triglycerides, which can take on the form of oil, lipid or lard, depending on the temperature, when removed from the body. Fat is a highly concentrated energy source well suited to helping our distant ancestors cope with starvation. Some fat deposits are genetically determined. There are two major deposits of almost pure fat: the subcutaneous fat and the omental fat. Both of these can almost naturally vanish with starvation, a condition which is unhealthy.

Omentum and omental fat - Deep in the abdomen and protected by a muscle wall the bowel sits in a soft "cushiony" fatty layer called the omentum. The omental fat currently cannot be safely suctioned without risking severe life-threatening bowel problems. The omentum fat can become gigantic. It stores fat and calories as well as surrounds, protects and encases the all-important human bowel.

Skin - The largest organ of the body. Skin is composed of living and dead layers. The dead layers include the surface scale, outside hair and nail plate. The living layers include the epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous (fat, the area liposuction targets) and all of the structures found within those layers, including blood vessels, sweat glands, etc.

Subcutaneous - Lying below or under the cutaneous (dermis, leather) tissue. This tissue is usually composed of fat cells and the structures that run through it, i.e., blood vessels, nerves, etc. Fat is a soft, shock-absorbing barrier that acts as a conduit for the nerves and blood vessels. As well, subcutaneous tissue is an energy-storage device. See Fat in the glossary. The sebaceous glands of the hair follicle arise in the subcutaneous layer and are in high concentration on the face and scalp. There are no sebaceous glands on the palms or soles.

Subcutaneous fat - (see subcutaneous) subcutaneous fat sits just below the skin's surface (or under the cutaneous = dermis = leathery tissues). This is as opposed to omental (deep abdominal) fat.

Tummy - Words that usually mean the same thing regarding external appearance (looks) in liposuction are belly, and abdomen. Medically speaking the words gut and stomach really do not mean the same thing and represent the tubed-organs of digestion. It is best not to use the words gut and stomach to mean tummy, belly or abdomen.

Tummy Tuck - The surgery of the tummy tuck involves cutting and drawing together with stitches or staples at least one of the three following layers of the "tummy": skin, subcutaneous fat, and/or muscle. A tummy tuck that only involves skin and fat is defined here as a "surface tuck" and a tummy tuck that involves cutting and tightening the muscle (or its sheath or other associated components) is a "deep tuck."

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