Medical terms - Letter S (page 4) | MedicalVocabulary.org

Scler-

(Or sclero-) A confusing prefix that can refer exclusively to hardness (from the Greek 'skleros' meaning hard) but that can also refer to the sclera of the eye. Sclerodactyly, for example, is localized thickening and…
Sclera

The tough white outer coat over the eyeball that covers approximately the posterior five-sixths of its surface. The sclera is continuous in the front of the eye with the cornea and in the back of the eye with the…
Scleredema

A dermatologic disorder characterized by hardening and thickening of the skin, typically over the face, neck, upper back, and shoulders or other areas of skin, but not over the hands or feet. Scleredema comes from…
Scleredema adultorum

A misleading term since scleredema can also occur in children. See: Scleredema
Sclerencephaly

A general term for scarring and shrinkage of the substance of the brain. Sclerencephaly occurs because of chronic inflammation of the brain matter
Scleritis

Inflammation of the sclera, the tough white outer coat of the eyeball. Classic scleritis affects the sclera itself and is not a benign disease. It may impair vision. The principal symptom is severe general head pain…
Sclero-

Pertaining to both the sclera and the conjunctiva. The sclera, a tough white outer coat that covers most of the back of the eyeball, is continuous in the front of the eye with the cornea. The conjunctiva is a clear…
Scleroconjunctival

Pertaining to both the sclera and the conjunctiva. The sclera, a tough white outer coat that covers most of the back of the eyeball, is continuous in the front of the eye with the cornea. The conjunctiva is a clear…
Sclerodactyly

Localized thickening and tightness of the skin of the fingers or toes. Sclerodactyly is commonly associated with atrophy of the underlying soft tissues. The term 'sclerodactyly' is made up of 'sclero-' from the Greek…
Scleroderma

Scleroderma: A disease of connective tissue with the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the skin and sometimes also in other organs of the body. Scleroderma is classified into diffuse and limited forms. The CREST…
Sclerokeratitis

Inflammation of the sclera, the tough white coat that covers most of the back of the eyeball and that is continuous with the cornea in the front of the eye
Scleromalacia

Degenerative thinning of the sclera, the tough white coat that covers most of the back of the eyeball and that is continuous with the cornea in the front of the eye
Sclerose en plaques

French for multiple sclerosis. Literally, sclerosis in plaques
Sclerose en plaques

See: Sclerose en plaques
Sclerosing cholangitis

See: Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Sclerosing panencephalitis, subacute (SSPE)

A chronic brain disease of children and adolescents that occurs months to often years after an attack of measles, causing convulsions, motor abnormalities, mental retardation and, usually, death.
Sclerosis

Localized hardening of skin
Sclerosis, multiple

The injection of a chemical irritant into a vein to sclerose ("harden") it. The chemical irritates the lining of the vein, causing it to swell and the blood to clot. The vein turns into scar tissue that fades from view…
Sclerotherapy

The injection of a chemical irritant into a vein to sclerose ('harden') it. The chemical irritates the lining of the vein, causing it to swell and the blood to clot. The vein turns into scar tissue that fades from view…
SCN (severe congenital neutropenia)

Neutropenia): An condition characterized by a lack of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that is important in fighting infection. It is usually, but not always, hereditary Children with severe congenital…
Scoliosis

Scoliosis: Sideways (lateral) curving of the spine (the backbone). The degree of scoliosis may range from mild to severe. Scoliosis is often an incidental and harmless finding. People with mild curves may only need to…
Scoliosis, acquired

Lateral (sideways) curving of the spine present at birth or due to a condition present at birth. The condition may, for example, be a neuromuscular abnormality or due to a malformation of the vertebral column.
Scoliosis, congenital

A structurally normal spine that appears to have a lateral curve (scoliosis). Nonstructural scoliosis involves a temporary change of spinal curvature. This is caused by an underlying condition such as a difference in…
Scoliosis, functional

A structurally normal spine that appears to have a lateral curve (scoliosis). Nonstructural scoliosis involves a temporary change of spinal curvature. This is caused by an underlying condition such as a difference in…
Scoliosis, idiopathic

A structurally normal spine that appears to have a lateral curve (scoliosis). Nonstructural scoliosis involves a temporary change of spinal curvature. This is caused by an underlying condition such as a difference in…
Scoliosis, nonstructural

A structurally normal spine that appears to have a lateral curve (scoliosis). Nonstructural scoliosis involves a temporary change of spinal curvature. This is caused by an underlying condition such as a difference in…
Scoliosis, structural

A fixed lateral (sideway) curve of the spine. Structural scoliosis often occurs from unknown factors without reference to other physical problems (idiopathic scoliosis). It tends to affect girls during adolescence…
Scooter injury

An injury sustained on a scooter, a foot-operated board mounted tandemly on two wheels with an upright steering handle attached to the front wheel. The wave of popularity of scooters has created a major new cause of…
Scopolamine

Scopolamine: A venerable drug that is a naturally occurring member of a large chemical class of compounds called alkaloids. Scopolamine was first introduced into medical usage in 1902. The name comes from that of the…
Scorbutic

Pertaining to scurvy (scorbutus) or affected by it
Scorbutus

Scurvy. Ascorbic acid was so-named because it prevents scorbutus (scurvy). See also: Paprika
Score, Apgar

A practical method to assess a newborn infant, the Apgar score is a number arrived at by scoring the heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, skin color, and response to a catheter in the nostril. Each of these…
Score, Gleason

A grading system for prostate carcinoma. See Gleason score
Scorpion venom

The potent poison of the scorpion, an insect that has an elongated body and a segmented, curved tail tipped with a venomous stinger. A sting can be fatal to a person who is allergic to it. The toxicity of scorpion venom…
Scrape

An abrasion or cut caused by something rubbing roughly against the skin. To treat scrape, wash the area with soap and water, and keeping it clean and dry. Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and iodine can delay healing and…
Scratch test for allergy

A mammogram (an X-ray of the breast) in women who have no signs of breast cancer. It usually involves two X-rays of each breast. The aim of a screening mammogram is to detect a tumor that cannot be felt. A screening…
Screening mammogram

Mammogram: A mammogram (an X-ray of the breast) in women who have no signs of breast cancer. It usually involves two X-rays of each breast. The aim of a screening mammogram is to detect a tumor that cannot be felt. A…
Screening, kidney disease

Screening (looking) for early kidney disease in people who are not already known to have it. Kidney disease is common and is commonly insidious in onset. The burden of kidney disease in its earlier stages lies not only…
Screening, newborn hearing

Testing of the newborn baby's ability to hear. Newborn screening of hearing is done with automated auditory brainstem response tests or, less often, with what are called otoacoustic emission or conventional auditory…
Script

An informal colloquial term for a prescription. Derived from prescription by removing both its beginning and ending to save a little bit of time and effort
Scrofula

An old term for tuberculosis of the lymph nodes in the neck. Also known as the King's evil
Scrofulous

1. Literally, relating to scrofula (tuberculosis of the lymph nodes, particularly of the neck). 2. Figuratively, morally contaminated and corrupt
Scrotum

A pouch of skin which contains the testes, epididymides, and lower portions of the spermatic cords.
Scrub

1. As a verb, to wash the hands and forearms very thoroughly, as before engaging in surgery. To scrub implies the use of a brush (and often an implement to clean under the nails). To scrub, to scrub in (on a surgical…
Scrub in

To wash the hands and forearms very thoroughly, as for surgery. To scrub in implies the use of a brush (and often an implement to clean under the nails). To scrub in, to scrub up, and to scrub are synonymous
Scrub typhus

A mite-borne infectious disease caused by a microorganism, Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, characteristically with fever, headache, a raised (macular) rash, swollen glands (lymphadenopathy) and a dark crusted ulcer (called an…
Scrub up

To wash the hands and forearms very thoroughly, as before surgery. To scrub up implies the use of a brush (and often an implement to clean under the nails). To scrub up, to scrub in (on a surgical procedure), and to…
Scrubs

A protective garment designed to be worn by the doctor, nurse, and others in the operating room. The garment was originally a gown. Scrubs now include the shirt and pants worn by those who scrub in for surgery. The…
Scuba health

Common medical problems in scuba diving include cuts, scrapes and other injuries to the arms and legs and pain in the ear (the 'squeezes') due to the difference in pressure between the middle ear and mask during the…
Scullcap

See: Scutellaria barbata