Glossary S's
septicemia
Definition:life-threatening condition in which bacteria multiply in the blood and produce toxic materials; commonly known as blood poisoning; also known as systemic inflammatory response syndrome
sinoatrial node
Definition:structure that regulates the heartbeat; a natural pacemaker
sacroiliitis
Definition:inflammation of the sacroiliac joints, which causes pain in the lower body
sacrum
Definition:triangular bone located at the bottom of the spine that is connected to the tailbone, the hipbones near the sacroilial joints, and the rest of the spine
saline
Definition:describes a salt solution or any substance that contains salt
salpingectomy
Definition:surgical removal of one or both fallopian tubes
salpingitis
Definition:inflammation of a fallopian tube
salpingo-oophorectomy
Definition:surgical removal of one or both of the fallopian tubes and one or both of the ovaries
sarcoidosis
Definition:rare disease with no known cause that leads to inflammation in tissues throughout the body, including the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, skin, and eyes
sarcoma
Definition:cancer in connective tissues such as bone or muscle
scarlet fever
Definition:infectious childhood disease, caused by streptococcus a bacterium that leads to a sore throat, fever, and rash
schizophrenia
Definition:group of mental disorders characterized by abnormal thoughts, moods, and actions; sufferers have a distorted sense of reality, and a split personality (i.e., thoughts do not logically fit together)
sciatic
Definition:prefix meaning pertaining to or affecting the hip
sciatica
Definition:pain along the sciatic nerve, which runs down the length of the leg to the foot; usually caused by pressure on the nerve due to a prolapsed disk, tumor, abscess, or blood clot
scleroderma
Definition:immune system disorder of varying degree that can affect many areas of the body
sclerotherapy
Definition:treatment of varicose veins by injection of a solution that destroys them
scrotum
Definition:sac containing the testicles
sebaceous cyst
Definition:swelling that occurs under the skin, most commonly on the scalp, face, ears, and genital; although usually harmless, can grow very large and become painful if infected
sedative
Definition:drug that has a calming effect and is used to treat anxiety and pain, bring on sleep, or help relax a person before surgery
semi-conscious
Definition:partially conscious, not completely aware of sensations
senile
Definition:pertaining to or characteristic of old age
sepsis
Definition:infection of a wound or tissue with bacteria, causing the spread of the bacteria into the bloodstream; also known as systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by a microbe
septic arthritis
Definition:joint inflammation caused by a bacterial infection
septic shock
Definition:ife-threatening condition in which tissues become damaged and blood pressure drops due to bacteria multiplying and producing poisons in the bloodstream
serum
Definition:clear, watery fluid that separates from clotted blood
shingles
Definition:nerve infection caused by the chickenpox virus, causing areas of painful rash covered with blisters; also called varicella zoster
shock
Definition:condition of reduced flow of blood throughout the body, usually caused by severe infection, severe bleeding or a weak heart; without treatment, can lead to a collapse, coma, and death
shunt
Definition:artificially constructed or an abnormal passage connecting two usually separate structures in the body
sacroiliac joints
Definition:pair of joints located in the pelvis between the sacrum and the hipbones
sick sinus syndrome
Definition:abnormal functioning of the structure that regulates the heartbeat, causing episodes of abnormal heart rhythm
sickle cell anemia
Definition:genetic disorder in which the red blood cells are abnormal and deformed, causing anemia (i.e., reduced ability to transport oxygen in the blood) and clogging of blood vessels; bouts of fever, headache, and weakness result
sickle cell trait
Definition:less serious form of sickle cell anemia
side effect
Definition:a consequence other than the one for which a medication or procedure is used
sigmoidoscopy
Definition:examination of the rectum and the lowest part of the large intestine using a flexible viewing tube inserted through the anus
sinus bradycardia
Definition:abnormal heartbeat less than 60 beats per minute
sinus tachycardia
Definition:abnormal heartbeat over 100 beats per minute
sinus
Definition:cavity within bone or a channel that contains blood; also refers to an abnormal tract in the body
sinusitis
Definition:inflammation of the lining of the cavities (sinuses) in the bone surrounding the nose, usually as a result of a bacterial infection spreading from the nose
skin graft
Definition:method of treating damaged or lost skin in which a piece of skin is taken from another area of the body and transplanted in a damaged or missing section
skull
Definition:the bones that form the framework of the head and enclose and protect the brain and other sensory organs
sleep apnea
Definition:condition in which breathing stops for very short periods of time during sleep
small intestine
Definition:the long tube running from the stomach to the large intestine that is involved in digestion of foods and absorption of nutrients
smear
Definition:sample of cells spread across a glass slide to be examined through a microscope
skilled nursing facility (SNF)
Definition:health care facility which provides skilled nursing care or rehabilitation for inpatients on a daily basis
sodium bicarbonate
Definition:substance used as an antacid
sodium
Definition:mineral that plays a role in the body's water balance, heart rhythm, nerve impulses, and muscle contraction; present in table salt (sodium chloride)
somatic
Definition:pertaining to the body
soporific
Definition:causing or inducing deep sleep; also a drug which induces sleep
spasm
Definition:involuntary muscle contraction; can sometimes be powerful and painful
spastic paralysis
Definition:spasticity involving partial paralysis
spasticity
Definition:muscle stiffness caused by an increase in contractions of the muscle fibers
speech therapy
Definition:treatment to help someone overcome a problem communicating verbally
sphincter
Definition:ring of muscle fibers located around a naturally occurring passage or opening in the body that opens and closes to regulate passage of substances
spinal canal
Definition:canal that contains the spinal cord, spinal cord covering membrane and spinal fluid
spinal cord
Definition:the long tube of nerve tissue inside the spinal column, running from the brain down the length of the back inside of the spine
spinal fusion
Definition:surgical joining of two or more adjacent vertebrae using bone fragments; used to help severe back pain or prevent damage to the spinal cord
spinal tap
Definition:procedure in which a needle is inserted into the lower region of the spinal canal to remove a sample of spinal fluid or to inject a drug; also called a lumbar puncture
spine
Definition:the column of bones and cartilage running along the midline of the back that surrounds and protects the spinal cord and supports the head
spiral fracture
Definition:coiled break in a bone, resembling a corkscrew
spirometry
Definition:assessment of lung condition in which a person breathes into a device and the volume of air exhaled is measured
spleen
Definition:organ located in the upper left abdomen behind the ribs that removes and destroys old red blood cells and helps fight infection
splenectomy
Definition:surgical removal of the spleen
splint
Definition:device used to immobilize a part of the body
sputum
Definition:mucus and other material produced by the lining of the respiratory tract; also called phlegm
ST monitoring
Definition:highly sensitive monitoring of cardiac ischemia
staphylococci
Definition:common bacteria that cause skin infections and a number of other disorders
status asthmaticus
Definition:life-threatening asthma attack requiring immediate treatment
status epilepticus
Definition:life-threatening succession of epileptic seizures
sexually transmitted disease
Definition:infections that are most commonly spread through sexual intercourse or genital contact
stent
Definition:device placed within a tubular structure of the body, such as an artery, to hold the tubular structure open
sternum
Definition:the long, flat bone located at the center of the chest
steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Definition:name for group of drugs, which resemble hormones produced in the body; used to decrease inflammation
steroids
Definition:group of drugs, including corticosteroids, which resemble hormones produced by the adrenal glands, and anabolic steroids, which are similar to the hormones produced by the male sex organs
stoma
Definition:surgically formed opening on a body surface
stool
Definition:bodily waste discharged through the anus; also called feces
strain
Definition:muscle damage resulting from excessive stretching or forceful contraction
strangulated hernia
Definition:hernia in which the protruding organ or tissue loses its blood supply, requiring emergency surgery
strep throat
Definition:inflammatory sore throat caused by streptococci bacteria and marked by fever, prostration and toxemia
streptococci
Definition:bacteria that cause a variety of diseases, including pneumonia and strep throat
stress fracture
Definition:a bone break resulting from repeated pressure on the bone
stroke
Definition:damage to part of the brain due to either insufficient blood supply caused by a blockage in an artery or the rupturing of a blood vessel; leads to complete or partial loss of function in the area of the body that is controlled by the damaged part of the brain
submucosa
Definition:layer of connective tissue under a mucous membrane
subcutaneous
Definition:located beneath the skin
suppository
Definition:solid cone or bullet-shaped object comprised of a base (i.e., a chemically inactive substance that is solid at room temperature but melts or dissolves at body temperature) and a medication that is inserted into the rectum or vagina or urethra
surgery
Definition:an operation
surgical
Definition:pertaining to or correctable by surgery
surrogate
Definition:adult, usually a family member, assigned by the court in some states to make decisions regarding a patient's health care when no advance directive by the patient exists and the patient is unable to make or express his/her preferences
suture
Definition:surgical stitch that helps close an incision or wound so that it can heal properly
sympathetic nervous system
Definition:the part of the autonomic nervous system that raises blood pressure and heart rate in response to stress
sacro
Definition:prefix meaning connected to or relation with the sacrum
salivary glands
Definition:group of glands that secrete saliva into the mouth
secondary
Definition:descriptive of a disease or disorder that follows or is caused by another one
seizure
Definition:sudden uncontrolled waves of electrical activity in the brain, causing involuntary movement or loss of consciousness
senile dementia
Definition:form of dementia caused by atrophy of the frontal lobes of the brain; leads to progressive deterioration of mental functioning
systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)
Definition:condition characterized by having two of the following four clinical criteria: fever, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and abnormal white blood cell count
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Definition:disease of the immune system that causes inflammation of connective tissue in many areas of the body, including the skin, lungs, heart, joints, and kidneys
sphygmomanometer
Definition:a device used to measure blood pressure
sprain
Definition:tearing or stretching of the ligaments in a joint, characterized by pain, swelling, and an inability to move the joint
stenosis
Definition:narrowing of a body passageway
syndrome
Definition:group of symptoms that indicate a certain disorder when they occur together
syphilis
Definition:a sexually transmitted disease; initially causes only painless sores on the genitals but can be life-threatening if untreated
syringe
Definition:instrument used for injecting fluids into or withdrawing fluids from the body
systemic
Definition:descriptive of affecting the whole body
systolic pressure
Definition:blood pressure measured while the heart is contracting