Glossary

Author: Glossary

  • Spastic bladder

    Type of neurogenic bladder caused by spinal cord lesion, multiple sclerosis, or trauma, and characterized by loss of bladder sensation, incontinence, and interrupted voiding. Neurogenic bladder due to complete transection of the spinal cord above the sacral segments.  

  • Solubility

    The ability of a particular substance to dissolve in a particular solvent.  

  • Sneeze

    Sneeze

    Involuntary sudden expulsion of air through the nose and mouth, resulting from irritation of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, as from a cold or allergic reaction. An involuntary violent reflex expulsion of air through the nose and mouth provoked by irritation of the mucous membrane lining the nasal cavity. To expel air…

  • Snare

    Instrument with a wire hoop used to remove polyps, small tumors, or other growths, especially in body cavities. An instrument consisting of a wire loop designed to remove polyps, tumors, and other projections of tissue, particularly those occurring in body cavities. The loop is used to encircle the base of the tumor and is then…

  • Slow virus

    Virus that remains dormant in the body for a long time, with years elapsing before symptoms may occur. Several human diseases (e.g., kura) are thought to be caused by slow viruses. A virus that replicates and causes disease indolently.  

  • Sinus headache

    Pain in the head resulting from congestion and/or infection in the paranasal sinuses. Typically the discomfort is localized over the forehead or behind the eyes and is increased by bending over. Treatment involves decongestants, analgesics, and sometimes antibiotics.  

  • Signioidectomy

    Surgical removal of all or part of the sigmoid colon, usually to remove a malignant tumor.  

  • Sex-limited

    To a characteristic that is expressed differently in the two sexes. Describing characteristics that are expressed differently in the two sexes but are controlled by genes not on the sex chromosomes, e.g. baldness in men. The expression of a genetic character or trait in one sex only. Manifesting in or impacting only one gender.  

  • Sex chromatin

    Chromatin found only in female cells; it usually occurs as a small object (Barr body) near the nucleus or as a drumstick shaped appendage to the nucleus of some white cells. The presence or absence of sex chromatin is the basis of sex determination before birth through examination of cells obtained by amniocentesis. A test…

  • Sesamoid bone

    Any of several small, round or oval bones lying within a tendon, such as me patella (kneecap). The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the human body. A small ovoid bone embedded in a tendon that lies over a joint and does not articulate with another bone; for example, the patella. An oval nodule…