American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [813]
spasm Uncontrollable contraction of one or more muscles.
splint, dental See bite guard.
sprain Tearing or stretching of a ligament in a joint.
squamous cell carcinoma A common type of skin cancer that develops in cells on the surface of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma is usually caused by long-term overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
STDs See sexually transmitted diseases.
stem cells Immature cells (found mostly in bone marrow) that produce all the blood cells in the body.
stem cell transplant The infusion of healthy stem cells to replace cancer cells or other diseased cells in the body. The stem cells may be the person’s own stem cells (called an autologous stem cell transplant) or stem cells from a closely matched donor (called an allogeneic stem cell transplant). Before receiving the healthy stem cells, the person undergoes high-dose chemotherapy, possibly with radiation therapy, to destroy the diseased cells. The infused stem cells make healthy new cells to replace those that were destroyed.
stenosis The narrowing of a channel in the body, especially the arteries or the openings of the heart valves.
stent A tiny metal or plastic wire mesh placed inside an artery to keep it open.
stethoscope An instrument for listening to sounds inside the body, especially the lungs, heart, and intestines.
stone See calculus.
strain Injury to a muscle resulting from excessive physical force.
stridor Noisy, high-pitched breathing, usually caused by inflammation of the larynx (voice box) or trachea (windpipe).
stroke Also called a cerebrovascular accident. Sudden damage to part of the brain caused by an interruption in blood flow to the brain. Ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke, results from blockage of a blood vessel in the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke results from a ruptured blood vessel in the brain.
suppository A solid cylindrical (usually cone- or bullet-shaped) pellet inserted into the rectum or vagina that melts at body temperature to release medication.
suture A surgical stitch used to close an incision or wound. Also the name for the firmly joined interlocking joints of the skull.
systolic blood pressure The first, higher number in a blood pressure reading. The systolic pressure indicates the pressure in the blood vessels when the ventricles of the heart contract and blood pumps through the arteries.
T
tachycardia A rapid heart rate, especially one above 100 beats per minute.
tartar See calculus, dental.
T cell Also called a T lymphocyte. A type of white blood cell that protects the body from infectious microorganisms and cancer.
tendons Strong, fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone.
testosterone The male sex hormone that stimulates the development of male characteristics.
thrombocyte See platelet.
thrombosis The formation of a thrombus inside a blood vessel or the heart.
thrombus A blood clot that forms inside the heart or in an intact blood vessel, as opposed to a blood clot that forms normally in the wall of a blood vessel to seal it after injury.
TIA Transient ischemic attack. Also called a ministroke. A brief interruption in blood flow to the brain, causing temporary symptoms such as impaired vision, sensation, movement, or speech, or memory loss.
tinnitus A common disorder characterized by hearing persistent ringing, hissing, or other sounds in the ear when there is no external source of those sounds.
T lymphocyte See T cell.
toxemia The presence of bacterial toxins in the bloodstream. Toxemia of pregnancy is a disorder in which a woman has high blood pressure, tissue swelling, and leaking of protein from the kidneys into the urine.
toxic Poisonous.
toxin A poisonous substance produced by bacteria or other infectious agents and by some plants and animals.
traction A procedure in which part of the body is placed under tension to correct alignment or to hold two adjoining structures in position. Traction is usually used as a treatment to align and immobilize fractures to promote healing.
trait Any characteristic or condition (such as eye color and hair