Research Consent Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

S

Sacrum - Large triangle-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine just above the tailbone

Sagittal Plane - Divides the body into a right and left side

Saliva - Liquid in the mouth that helps with swallowing food; spit

Salivary Glands - Glands that make saliva

Salpingectomy - Surgery to remove the uterine tube

Salpingitis - Inflammation of the uterine tubes

Salpingo-Oophoredtomy - Surgery to remove an ovary and uterine tube

Salpingocele - Uterine tube bulging out of an abnormal opening

Salpingocyesis - Pregnancy growing in the uterine tube

Salpingostomy - Surgery to make an opening into or to open a blockage of a uterine tube

Salpinx - Tube down which the egg travels from the ovary to the uterus

Sarcoma - Cancer of connective tissue cells

Saw - Tool with a notched blade used for cutting

SC - See subcutaneous (SC)

Scabies - Itchy skin infection caused by a microscopic bug called a mite; mange

Scapula - Shoulder blade

Schick Test - Skin test used to detect diphtheria

Sciatica - Pain running down from the lower back to the buttocks to the back or side of the leg

Scissors - Tool with two sharp blades used for cutting tissue

Sclera - Outer protective layer of the eye; "whites of the eyes"

Scleral Buckling - Surgery to fix a detached retina

Scleroderma - Hardening and thickening of the skin

Sclerokeratitis - Inflammation of the sclera and the cornea

Scleromalacia - Softening of the sclera seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Sclerotomy - Surgery to cut into the sclera

Scoliosis - S-shaped (side-to-side) curve of the spine

Scratch Test - Allergy test performed by putting a small amount of allergy-causing material on small skin patches to see if it causes a reaction

Scrotum - Pouch that holds the testicles

Sebaceous Gland - Gland that discharges oil into the skin

Seborrhea - Very oily skin

Sedation - Calmness

Sedative - Drug used to relax a person without making the person sleepy

Seizure - Sudden, uncontrolled muscle spasms and loss of consciousness resulting from abnormal brain function

Self-retaining - Stays in place without being held

Semen - Fluid containing sperm, which is discharged from the penis during the climax of sexual intercourse

Semen Analysis - Test used to count and examine the sperm cells

Semicircular Canals - Channels in the labyrinth of the ear

Semilunar Valves - Valves that control the flow of blood out of the heart by opening and closing with each heart beat

Septoplasty - Surgery to fix the wall inside the nose

Septotomy - Incision into the wall inside the nose

Serrations - Small grooves on the edges or tips of tools that help to hold tissue

Serum - Clear liquid part of blood

Serum Bilirubin - Blood test used to detect liver disorder

Serum Calcium - Blood test used to find out how much calcium is in the blood

Serum Creatine Kinase - Blood test used to measure creatine

Serum Enzyme Test - Blood test used to detect the presence of certain chemicals discharged into the blood from dying heart muscle

Serum Phosphorus - Blood test used to measure the amount of phosphorus present

Serum Test - Blood test used to measure the amount of endocrine material in the blood

Sexually Transmitted - Disorder spread by sexual contact Disease (STD)

Sharp - With an edge or tip that cuts

Shingles - Painful, fluid-filled blisters caused by Herpes virus infection

Shunt - Artificial or natural channel running between two other channels

Sialolith - Stone in a salivary gland or duct

Sickle Cell Anemia - Genetic defect of hemoglobin causing red blood cells to change shape; symptoms include pain in the joints and belly, and ulcers on the legs

Side Effect - An effect of a drug that is not related to the reason the drug is used

Sigmond Colon - The lower part of the colon just before the rectum

Single-Blind Trial - Test or experiment in which the person giving treatment, but not the patient, knows which treatment the patient is receiving

Sinusotomy - Incision into the sinus

SLE - See systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Sleep Apnea - Breathing problems while sleeping

Slipped Disk - Bulging out of a pad between bones of the spine, which often causes pinched nerve roots

Small Intestine - The bowel between the stomach and the large intestine, including the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum

Smooth - Without teeth or grooves; not rough

Snare - Tool with a wire loop used for removing tissue growth

Somatic - Having to do with the body

Somatogenic - Caused by the body (rather than the mind)

Somatopathy - Disorder of the body as opposed to the mind

Spasm - A muscle contraction that produces pain and interferes with use of the muscle

Specific Gravity - Test used to measure the amount of solid material and minerals in liquid, such as the urine

Speculum - Tools used to stretch and hold open an opening into a body channel, such as the nose or vagina

Sperm - The male sex cell that joins with a female egg to make a zygote and eventually a baby

Sphygmocardiograph - Tool used to record arterial blood pressure

Spina Bifida - Birth defect in which the spine does not develop fully and close up

Spinal Cavity - Space inside the spinal column where the spinal cord is found

Spinal Cord -The cord of nerve cells and nerve fibers running down the spine that helps guide messages to and from the brain

Spirometer - Tool used to measure the amount of air going into and out of the lungs during breathing

Spleen - Largest lymph organ in the body

Splenectomy - Surgery to remove the spleen

Splenomegaly - Enlarged spleen

Splenopexy - Surgery to tie down the spleen

Spondylarthritis - Arthritis of the spine

Spondylosyndesis - Fusion of the spine

Sputum - Fluid and material brought up from the lungs and windpipe and spit out through the mouth

Squamous Cel l - Cancer that usually occurs on the skin or in the lungs Carcinoma

Staphylococcus - Type of bacteria

STD - See sexually transmitted disease (STD)

Stenosis - Narrowing of a channel

Stereotactic Breast - Biopsy of breast tissue by using a three-dimensional body map to locate the tissue

Sterilization - The killing of all living germs; or a process to make a man or woman not able to have children

Sternoclavicular - Having to do with the breastbone and the collarbone

Sterenoid - Like the breastbone

Sternum - Breastbone

Stethoscope - Tool used to listen to the sounds made by the heart, lungs, intestines, and other organs

Stimulant - Drug used to speed up the central nervous system

Stomach - The first part of the intestines that holds food for digestion after it is swallowed

Stomatitis - Inflammation inside the mouth that occurs as an allergic reaction; can also result from infection or virus

Stomatogastric - The mouth and stomach

Stool - Bowel movement; feces

Stool Culture - Test for bacteria in stool

Strabismus - Abnormal position of the eye, as in wall eye or crossed eyes

Strabotomy - Surgery to fix strabismus in which the tendon of an eye muscle is cut

Streptococcus - Type of bacteria

Streptomycin - Type of antibiotic

Stricture - Area where a tube in the body is too narrow

Stye - Pimple on the eyelid

Subcostal - Below the ribs

Subcutaneous (SC) - Under the skin

Subdural - Below the outer layer of the meninges

Subject - Person who takes part in study

Sublingual - Under the tongue

Sublingual - Giving a substance by placing it under the tongue (not to be swallowed) (e.g., nitroglycerin)

Submandibular - Below the lower jaw

Submaxillary - Below the upper jaw

Subscapular - Below the shoulder blade

Suction - Tip Hollow tube attached to a suction vacuum

Sulfonamide - Type of antibiotic

Superficial - Close to the outside of the body

Superior - Toward the top of the body

Supine - Lying on the back

Suppository - Drug that is given by putting it into the rectum, vagina, or urethra

Suprarenal - Above the kidney; or having to do with the adrenal gland

Suprascapular - Above the shoulder blade

Sustain (injury) - Get hurt

Suture - The string used in surgery for stitching

Sweat Glands - Structures in and under the skin that make sweat

Swimmer's Ear - Inflammation of the outer ear canal

Sympathetic - Drug used to slow down the action of certain types of nerves

Sympathomimetic - Drug used to speed up heart rate, raise blood pressure, and open up aIr passages

Symphysis - Type of joint where two bones meet but there is no movement

Symphysis Pubis - Place where the two hip bones join

Syncope - Fainting spell

Syndrome - Set of signs that happen at the same time in the body

Synergism - Combined action of two drugs used together that is better than using each drug alone

Synoviosarcoma - Cancer of the joint

Syphilis - Bacterial infection spread by sexual contact

System - Group of organs that work together

Systemic - Having to do with the whole body

Systemic Lupus - Chronic disorder of connective tissue in which there can be Erythematosus (SLE) skin rash, arthritis, kidney problems, and anemia, among other problems

Stystole - The time when the heart contracts to pump blood to the body