Medical terms - Letter S (page 6) | MedicalVocabulary.org

Seizure, atonic

See: Atonic seizure
Seizure, automatic

See: Automatic seizure
Seizure, centrencephalic

See: Grand mal
Seizure, clonic

See: Clonic seizure
Seizure, complex partial

A form of partial seizure during which the person loses awareness. The patient does not actually become unconscious, and he or she may carry out actions as complex as walking, talking, or driving. The patient may have…
Seizure, febrile

See: Febrile seizure
Seizure, focal

See: Partial seizure
Seizure, focal motor

See: Focal motor seizure
Seizure, grand mal

See: Grand mal
Seizure, jackknife

See: Infantile spasms
Seizure, Jacksonian

See: Jacksonian seizure
Seizure, local

See: Partial seizure
Seizure, myoclonic

See: Myoclonic seizure
Seizure, partial

See: Partial seizure
Seizure, petit mal

See: Petit mal
Seizure, salaam

See: Infantile spasms
Seizure, tonic-clonic

See: Tonic-clonic seizure
Selective Estrogen-Receptor Modulator (SERM)

A 'designer estrogen' which possesses some, but not all, of the actions of estrogen. For example, raloxifene (trade name EVISTA) is classified as a SERM because it prevents bone loss (like estrogen) and lowers serum…
Selective mutism

An inability to speak in certain situations. See also apraxia, autism, mutism.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is one of the commonly prescribed drugs for treating depression. SSRIs affect the chemicals that nerves in the brain use to send messages to one another. These chemical…
Selective tubal occlusion procedure

(The acronym for selective tubal occlusion procedure is STOP.) A nonsurgical form of permanent birth control in which a physician inserts a 4-centimeter (1.6 inch) long metal coil into each one of a woman's two…
Selenium

An essential trace mineral that functions largely in the form of proteins, called selenoproteins, which act as enzymes and help prevent damage to cells in the body by oxidants in the environment or those produced by…
Selenium deficiency

See Deficiency, selenium
Selenium excess

See Excess selenium
Selenium poisoning

Poisoning from selenium, a naturally occurring substance that is toxic at high concentrations but is also a nutritionally essential element. Hydrogen selenide is the most acutely toxic selenium compound. Acute…
Selenocysteine

An amino acid in which selenium takes the place of sulfur in the amino acid cysteine. Its formula is H-Se-CH2-CH(NH2)-COOH. Selenocysteine is an essential component of selenium-containing proteins, or selenoproteins
Selenoprotein

A peculiar class of proteins that contain the essential trace element selenium. The selenium in these proteins is in the amino acid selenocysteine
Selenosis

Selenium poisoning. Selenium posioning may be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). The effects of acute selenium poisoning depend upon the route of exposure. Acute inhalation exposure to selenium (usually in the…
Self, fear of

An irrational fear of oneself, an intense self-fear that is groundless. Fear of oneself is termed 'autophobia' which comes from two Greek words: 'autos' (self) and 'phobos' (fear) = literally, self-fear, fear of…
Selfish operon

A hypothesis according to which the clustering of genes and their subsequent organization into operons is beneficial to the constituent genes because it enables the transfer of functionally coupled genes, genes involved…
Sella turcica

The 'Turkish saddle' in which sits the pituitary gland. The sella is a bony box in the middle of the head. It was called the sella turcica (the Turkish saddle) because of its resemblance to a saddle used by the Turks…
SEM

Scanning electron microscope
Semen

The fluid that is released through the penis during orgasm. Semen is made up of fluid and of sperm. The fluid comes from the prostate, seminal vesicle and other sex glands. The sperm are manufactured in the testicles…
Semen DNA analysis

Surface EMG.
SEMG

Surface EMG
Semiallogeneic

Sharing some but not all genes, as in parent-child relationships. Individuals are allogeneic when their genes at one or more loci are not identical
Seminal vesicle

A structure in the male that is about 5 centimeters (2 inches) long and is located behind the bladder and above the prostate gland. The seminal vesicles contribute fluid to the ejaculate
Senescence

Aging, the process of becoming old, or the state of being old. As we age, we senesce. No known substance can extend life, but here are some useful tips for improving the chances of living a long time and staying…
Senile

1. Pertaining to old age. 2. Pertaining to the physical decline associated with old age. 3. Pertaining to the mental decline once associated with old age but now known to be due to dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease…
Senile chorea

A relatively mild and uncommon disorder that occurs in elderly adults and is characterized by choreic movements. Chorea refers to rapid complex body movements that look well coordinated and purposeful but are, in fact…
Senile keratosis

Synonymous with actinic keratosis. See: Keratosis, actinic
Senile lentigo

A benign pigmented flat spot on sun-exposed skin in older adults, especially on the back of the hands and on the forehead. Also called a liver spot
Senility

1. Originally, old age. 2. The physical decline associated with old age. 3. The mental decline once associated with old age but now known to be due to dementia, as for instance Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis…
Sensation

In medicine and physiology, sensation refers to the registration of an incoming (afferent) nerve impulse in that part of the brain called the sensorium, which is capable of such perception. Therefore, the awareness of a…
Sense

In biology and medicine, the faculty of sensory reception. The ability to convey specific types of external or internal stimuli to the brain and perceive them. Sensory reception occurs through a process known as…
Sense of smell

See Olfaction
Sense, balance

Our sense of balance is regulated by a complex interaction of the following parts of the nervous system: > >The inner ears (also called the labyrinth) monitor the directions of motion, such as turning or…
Sense-strand RNA virus

See: Positive-strand RNA virus
Sensipar

Trade name for cinacalcet, a drug that acts as a calcimimetic. For more information, see: Calcimimetic
Sensitivity

1. In psychology, the quality of being sensitive. As, for example, sensitivity training, training in small groups to develop a sensitive awareness and understanding of oneself and of ones relationships with others. 2…