Dictionary of Medical Terms 4th Ed

of the fetus and may cause erythroblastosis fetalis.

rhesus factor disease / ri səs f ktə dzi z/ noun a disease which occurs when the blood of a fetus has a different rhesus factor from that of the mother. Also called Rh disease

rheumatic /ru m t k/ adjective referring to rheumatism

rheumatic fever /ru m t k fi və/ noun a collagen disease of young people and children, caused by haemolytic streptococci, where the joints and also the valves and lining of the heart become inflamed. Also called acute rheumatism

COMMENT: Rheumatic fever often follows another streptococcal infection such as a strep throat or tonsillitis. Symptoms are high fever, pains in the joints, which become red, formation of nodules on the ends of bones and difficulty in breathing. Although recovery can be complete, rheumatic fever can recur and damage the heart permanently.

rheumatism / ru mət z(ə)m/ noun pains and stiffness in the joints and muscles

(informal) She has rheumatism in her hips. He complained of rheumatism in the knees. rheumatoid / ru mətɔ d/ adjective relating

to rheumatism

rheumatoid arthritis / ru mətɔ d ɑ θra t s/ noun a general painful disabling collagen disease affecting any joint, but especially the hands, feet and hips, making them swollen and inflamed. osteoarthritis

‘…rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease which can affect many systems of the body, but mainly the joints. 70% of sufferers develop the condition in the metacarpophalangeal joints’ [Nursing Times]

rheumatoid erosion / ru mətɔ d rəυ (ə)n/ noun erosion of bone and cartilage in the joints caused by rheumatoid arthritis rheumatoid factor / ru mətɔ d f ktə/ noun an antibody found in the blood serum of many people who have rheumatoid arthritis rheumatologist / ru mə tɒləd st/ noun a doctor who specialises in rheumatology rheumatology / ru mə tɒləd i/ noun a branch of medicine dealing with rheumatic disease of muscles and joints

Rh factor / ɑ r e tʃ f ktə/ noun same as rhesus factor

rhin- /ra n/ prefix same as rhino- (used before vowels)

rhinal / ra n(ə)l/ adjective referring to the nose

rhinencephalon / ra nen kefəlɒn/ noun the area of the forebrain that controls the sense of smell

rhinitis /ra na t s/ noun inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nose, which makes the nose run, caused, e.g., by a virus infection or an allergic reaction to dust or flowers

rhino- /ra nəυ/ prefix referring to the nose rhinology /ra nɒləd i/ noun a branch of medicine dealing with diseases of the nose and the nasal passages

rhinomycosis / ra nəυma kəυs s/ noun an infection of the nasal passages by a fungus rhinopharyngitis / ra nəυf r n d a t s/ noun inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nose and pharynx

rhinophyma / ra nəυ fa mə/ noun a condition caused by rosacea, in which the nose becomes permanently red and swollen rhinoplasty / ra nəυpl sti/ noun plastic surgery to correct the appearance of the nose

rhinorrhoea / ra nəυ r ə/ noun a watery discharge from the nose

rhinoscope / ra nəskəυp/ noun an instrument for examining the inside of the nose rhinoscopy /ra nɒskəpi/ noun an examination of the inside of the nose

rhinosinusitis / ra nəυ sa nə sa t s/ noun swelling of the lining of the nose and paranasal sinuses, as a result of either a viral infection or allergic rhinitis. It is usually treated with antibiotics, antihistamines or steroids. rhinosporidiosis / ra nəυ spɒr di əυs s/ noun an infection of the nose, eyes, larynx and genital organs by the fungus Rhinosporidium seeberi

rhinovirus / ra nəυ va rəs/ noun a group of viruses containing RNA, which cause infection of the nose and include the virus which causes the common cold

rhiz- /ra z/, rhizo- / ra zəυ/ prefix referring to a root

rhizotomy /ra zɒtəmi/ noun a surgical operation to cut or divide the roots of a nerve to relieve severe pain

Rh-negative / ɑ e tʃ ne&ət v/ adjective who does not have the rhesus factor in his or her blood

rhodopsin /rəυ dɒps n/ noun a light-sensi- tive purple pigment in the rods of the retina, which makes it possible to see in dim light. Also called visual purple rhombencephalon / rɒmben kefəlɒn/ noun the hindbrain, the part of the brain which contains the cerebellum, the medulla oblongata and the pons

rhomboid / rɒmbɔ d/ noun one of two muscles in the top part of the back which move the shoulder blades

rhonchus / rɒŋkəs/ noun an unusual sound in the chest, heard through a stethoscope, caused by a partial blockage in the bronchi

(NOTE: The plural is rhonchi.)

Rh-positive / ɑ e tʃ pɒz t v/ adjective who has the rhesus factor in his or her blood rhythm / r ð(ə)m/ noun a regular movement or beat

rhythmic / r ðm k/ adjective regular, with a repeated rhythm

rhythm method / r ð(ə)m meθəd/ noun a method of birth control where sexual intercourse should take place only during the safe periods when conception is least likely to occur, i.e. at the beginning and at the end of the menstrual cycle

COMMENT: This method is not as safe or reliable as other methods of contraception because the time when ovulation takes place cannot be accurately calculated if a woman does not have regular periods.

rib /r b/ noun one of twenty-four curved bones which protect the chest (NOTE: For other terms referring to the ribs, see words beginning with cost-, costo-.)

ribavirin / ra bə va r n/ noun a synthetic drug which helps to prevent the synthesis of viral DNA and RNA, used in the treatment of viral diseases

rib cage / r b ke d / noun the ribs and the space enclosed by them

COMMENT: The rib cage is formed of twelve pairs of curved bones. The top seven pairs, the true ribs, are joined to the breastbone in front by costal cartilage. The other five pairs of ribs, the false ribs, are not attached to the breastbone, though the 8th, 9th and 10th pairs are each attached to the rib above. The bottom two pairs, which are not attached to the breastbone at all, are called the floating ribs.

riboflavine / ra bəυ fle v n/ same as Vitamin B2 (NOTE: The US spelling is riboflavin.) ribonuclease / ra bəυ nju klie z/ noun an enzyme which breaks down RNA ribonucleic acid / ra bəυnju kli k s d/ noun one of the nucleic acids in the nucleus of all living cells, which takes coded information from DNA and translates it into specific enzymes and proteins. DNA. Abbr RNA

ribose / ra bəυs/ noun a type of sugar found in RNA

ribosomal / ra bə səυm(ə)l/ adjective referring to ribosomes

ribosome / ra bəsəυm/ noun a tiny particle in a cell, containing RNA and protein, where protein is synthesised

ricewater stools / ra swɔ tə stu lz/ plural noun watery faeces that are typically passed by people who have cholera

rich /r tʃ/ adjective 1. well supplied 2. referring to food which has a high calorific value

‘…the sublingual region has a rich blood supply derived from the carotid artery’ [Nursing Times]

ricin / ra s n/ noun a highly toxic albumin found in the seeds of the castor oil plant

rick /r k/ noun a slight injury to a joint caused by wrenching or spraining it verb to wrench or sprain a joint of the body slightly

rickets / r k ts/ noun a disease of children, where the bones are soft and do not develop

properly due to lack of Vitamin D. Also called rachitis

COMMENT: Initial treatment for rickets in children is a vitamin-rich diet, together with exposure to sunshine which causes vitamin D to form in the skin.

Rickettsia /r ketsiə/ noun a genus of microorganisms which causes several diseases including Q fever and typhus

rickettsial /r ketsiəl/ adjective referring to Rickettsia

rickettsial pox /r ketsiəl pɒks/ noun a disease found in North America, caused by Rickettsia akari passed to humans by bites from mites which live on mice

rid /r d/ verb to get rid of something to make something go away He can’t get rid of his cold – he’s had it for weeks. to be rid of something not to have something unpleasant any more I’m very glad to be rid of my flu. ridge /r d / noun a long raised part on the surface of a bone or organ

rifampicin /r f mp s n/ noun an antibiotic which works by interfering with RNA synthesis in the infecting bacteria, used in the treatment of tuberculosis, leprosy and other bacterial infections

right /ra t/ noun the fact of being legally entitled to do or to have something You always have the right to ask for a second opinion. right colic / ra t kɒl k/ noun an artery which leads from the superior mesenteric artery right-handed / ra t h nd d/ adjective using the right hand more often than the left He’s right-handed. Most people are right-hand-

ed.

right-left shunt / ra t left ʃ"nt/ noun a malformation in the heart, allowing blood to flow from the pulmonary artery to the aorta right lymphatic duct / ra t l m f t k d"kt/ noun one of the main terminal channels for carrying lymph, draining the right side of the head and neck and entering the junction of the right subclavian and internal jugular veins. It is the smaller of the two main discharge points of the lymphatic system into the venous system, the larger being the thoracic duct. rigid / r d d/ adjective stiff, not moving rigidity /r d d ti/ noun the fact of being rigid, bent or not able to be moved. spasticity rigor / r &ə/ noun an attack of shivering, often with fever

rigor mortis / r &ə mɔ t s/ noun a condition in which the muscles of a dead body become stiff after death and then become relaxed again

COMMENT: Rigor mortis starts about eight hours after death, and begins to disappear several hours later. Environment and temperature play a large part in the timing.

rima / ra mə/ noun a narrow crack or cleft rima glottidis / ri mə &lɒt d s/ noun a

space between the vocal cords

ring /r ŋ/ noun a circle of tissue, or tissue or muscle shaped like a circle

ring block / r ŋ blɒk/ noun the process of inserting local anaesthetic all the way round a digit, e.g. a finger, in order to perform a procedure distal to the block.

Ringer’s solution / r ŋəz sə lu ʃ(ə)n/ noun a solution of inorganic salts which is used both to treat burns and cuts and to keep cells, tissues or organs alive outside the body

ring finger / r ŋ f ŋ&ə/ noun the third finger, the finger between the little finger and the middle finger

ringing in the ear / r ŋ ŋ n ði ə/ tinnitus

ringworm / r ŋw! m/ noun any of various infections of the skin by a fungus, in which the infection spreads out in a circle from a central point. It is very contagious and difficult to get rid of. Also called tinea

Rinne’s test / r niz test/ noun a hearing test in which a tuning fork is hit and its handle placed near the ear, to test for air conduction, and then on the mastoid process, to test for bone conduction. It is then possible to determine the type of lesion which exists by finding if the sound is heard for a longer period by air or by bone conduction. [Described 1855. After Friedrich Heinrich Rinne (1819–68), otologist at Göttingen, Germany.]

rinse out / r ns aυt/ verb to lightly wash the inside of something to make it clean, e.g. to get rid of soap She rinsed out the measuring jar.Rinse your mouth out with mouthwash. ripple bed / r p(ə)l bed/ noun a type of bed with an air-filled mattress divided into sections, in which the pressure is continuously being changed so that the body can be massaged and bedsores can be avoided

rise /ra z/ verb to go up His temperature rose sharply. (NOTE: rising – rose – risen)

risk /r sk/ noun the possibility of something harmful happening There is a risk of a cholera epidemic. There is no risk of the disease spreading to other members of the family. at risk in danger of being harmed Businessmen are particularly at risk of having a heart attack. children at risk children who are more likely to be harmed or to catch a disease verb to do something which may possibly cause harm or have bad results If the patient is not moved to an isolation ward, all the patients and staff in the hospital risk catching the disease.

‘…adenomatous polyps are a risk factor for carcinoma of the stomach’ [Nursing Times]

‘…three quarters of patients aged 35–64 on GPs’ lists have at least one major risk factor: high cholesterol, high blood pressure or addiction to tobacco’ [Health Services Journal]

risk factor / r sk f ktə/ noun a characteristic that increases a person’s likelihood of getting a particular disease Smoking is a risk

factor for lung cancer. Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes.

risus sardonicus / ra səs sɑ dɒn kəs/ noun a twisted smile which is a symptom of tetanus

rite of passage / ra t əv p s d / noun a ceremony which shows that somebody is moving from one stage of their life to another, e.g. from childhood to puberty or from unmarried to married life

river blindness / r və bla ndnəs/ noun blindness caused by larvae getting into the eye in cases of onchocerciasis

RM abbr Registered Midwife RMN abbr Registered Mental Nurse RN abbr Registered Nurse

RNA abbr ribonucleic acid

RNMH abbr Registered Nurse for the Mentally Handicapped

Rocky Mountain spotted fever / rɒkimaυnt n spɒt d fi və/ noun a type of ty-

phus caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, transmitted to humans by ticks

rod /rɒd/ noun 1. a stick shape with rounded ends Some bacteria are shaped like rods or are rod-shaped. 2. one of two types of lightsensitive cell in the retina of the eye. Rods are sensitive to dim light, but not to colour. cone

COMMENT: Rod cells in the eye are sensitive to poor light. They contain rhodopsin or visual purple, which produces the nervous impulse which the rod transmits to the optic nerve.

rodent ulcer / rəυd(ə)nt "lsə/ noun a malignant tumour on the face

COMMENT: Rodent ulcers are different from some other types of cancer in that they do not spread to other parts of the body and do not metastasise, but remain on the face, usually near the mouth or eyes. Rodent ulcer is rare before middle age.

roentgen / rɒnt&ən/ noun a unit of radiation used to measure the exposure of someone or something to X-rays or gamma rays. Symbol R

[After Wilhelm Konrad von Röntgen (1845– 1923), physicist at Strasbourg, Geissen, Würzburg and Munich, and then Director of the physics laboratory at Würzburg where he discovered

X-rays in 1895. Nobel prize for Physics 1901.] roentgenogram / rɒnt&enə&r m/ noun an X-ray photograph

roentgenology / rɒnt&ə nɒləd i/ noun the study of X-rays and their use in medicine roentgen ray / rɒnt&ən re / noun an X-ray or gamma ray which can pass through tissue and leave an image on a photographic film

role /rəυl/ noun 1. the usual or expected function of somebody or something in a particular process or event the role of haemoglobin in blood clotting 2. the characteristic or expected pattern of behaviour of a particular member of a social group the eldest child’s role in the family

role playing / rəυl ple ŋ/ noun the act of pretending to be somebody else in a situation, so that you have to imagine how that person feels and thinks. It usually involves several people. It is used in many training exercises and psychiatric evaluations.

rolled bandage / rəυld b nd d /, roller bandage / rəυlə b nd d / noun a bandage in

the form of a long strip of cloth which is rolled up from one or both ends

Romberg’s sign / rɒmb! &z sa n/ noun a swaying of the body or falling when standing with the feet close together and the eyes closed, the result of loss of the joint position sense [Described 1846. After Moritz Heinrich Romberg (1795–1873), German physician and pioneer neurologist.]

COMMENT: If a patient cannot stand upright when his or her eyes are closed, this shows that nerves in the lower limbs which transmit joint position sense to the brain are damaged.

rongeur /rɒŋ &! / noun a strong surgical instrument like a pair of pliers, used for cutting bone

roof /ru f/ noun the top part of a cavity roof of the mouth Same as palate

root /ru t/ noun 1. a point from which a part of the body grows root of hair or hair root root of nerve or nerve root 2. part of a tooth which is connected to a socket in the jaw also called radix

root canal / ru t kə n l/ noun a canal in the root of a tooth through which the nerves and blood vessels pass

rooting reflex / ru t ŋ ri fleks/ noun the instinct in new babies to turn their heads towards a touch on the cheek or mouth, which is important for breastfeeding

Roper, Logan and Tierney model / rəυpələυ&ən ən t əni mɒd(ə)l/ noun an important

model of nursing developed in the UK in 1980. Various factors such as necessary daily tasks, lifespan and health status are used to assess the relative independence of an individual, which the nurse will help them to increase.

Rorschach test / rɔ ʃɑ k test/ noun the ink blot test, used in psychological diagnosis, where someone is shown a series of blots of ink on paper and is asked to say what each blot reminds him or her of. The answers give information about the person’s psychological state.

[Described 1921. After Hermann Rorschach (1884–1922), German-born psychiatrist who worked in Bern, Switzerland.]

rosacea /rəυ ze ʃə/ noun a common skin disease seen from middle age affecting the face, and especially the nose, which becomes red because of enlarged blood vessels. The cause is not known. Also called acne rosacea (NOTE: Despite its alternative name, rosacea is not a

type of acne.)

rosea / rəυziə/ pityriasis

roseola infantum /rəυ zi ələ n f ntəm/ noun a sudden infection of small children, with fever, swelling of the lymph glands and a rash. It is caused by herpesvirus 6. Also called exan-

them subitum

rostral / rɒstr(ə)l/ adjective like the beak of a bird

rostrum / rɒstrəm/ noun a projecting part of a bone or structure shaped like a beak (NOTE: The plural is rostra.)

rot /rɒt/ verb to decay, to become putrefied

The flesh was rotting round the wound as gangrene set in. The fingers can rot away in lep-

rosy.

rotate /rəυ te t/ verb to move in a circle, or make something move in a circle

rotation /rəυ te ʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of moving in a circle. See illustration at ANATOMICAL TERMS in Supplement lateral and medial rotation turning part of the body to the side, towards the midline

rotator /rəυ te tə/ noun a muscle which

makes a limb rotate

rotavirus / rəυtəva rəs/ noun any of a group of viruses associated with gastroenteritis in children

‘…rotavirus is now widely accepted as an important cause of childhood diarrhoea in many different parts of the world’ [East African Medical Journal]

Rothera’s test / rɒðərəz test/ noun a test to see if acetone is present in urine, a sign of ketosis which is a complication of diabetes mellitus [After Arthur Cecil Hamel Rothera (1880–

1915), biochemist in Melbourne, Australia]

Roth spot / rəυt spɒt/ noun a pale spot which sometimes occurs on the retina of a person who has leukaemia or some other diseases

[After Moritz Roth (1839–1915), Swiss patholo-

gist and physician]

rotunda /rəυ t"ndə/ fenestra

rough /r"f/ adjective not smooth rough skin roughage / r"f d / noun same as dietary fibre

COMMENT: Roughage is found in cereals, nuts, fruit and vegetables. It is believed to be necessary to help digestion and avoid developing constipation and obesity.

rouleau /ru ləυ/ noun a roll of red blood cells which have stuck together like a column of coins (NOTE: The plural is rouleaux.) round /raυnd/ adjective shaped like a circle noun a regular visit to do the rounds of the wards to visit various wards in a hospital and talk to the nurses and check on patients’ progress or condition a health visitor’s rounds regular series of visits made by a

health visitor

round ligament /raυnd l &əmənt/ noun a band of muscle which stretches from the uter-

us to the labia

round window /raυnd w ndəυ/ noun a round opening between the middle ear and the

cochlea, and closed by a membrane. Also called fenestra rotunda. See illustration at EAR in Supplement

roundworm / raυndw! m/ noun any of several common types of parasitic worms with round bodies, such as hookworms. Compare flatworm

Rovsing’s sign / rɒvs ŋz sa n/ noun pain in the right iliac fossa when the left iliac fossa is pressed, which is a sign of acute appendicitis

[Described 1907. After Nils Thorkild Rovsing (1862–1927), Professor of Surgery at Copenhagen, Denmark.]

Royal College of General Practitioners /

rɔ əl kɒl d əv d en(ə)rəl/ noun a professional association which represents family doctors. Abbr RCGP

Royal College of Nursing / rɔ əl kɒl d əv n! s ŋ/ noun a professional association which represents nurses. Abbr RCN

Roy’s model / rɔ z mɒd(ə)l/ noun a model for nursing developed in the US in the 1970s. It describes a person’s health as being a state of successful positive adaptation to all those stimuli from the environment which could interfere with their basic need satisfaction. Illness results from an inability to adapt to such stimuli, so nurses should help patients to overcome this.

RQ abbr respiratory quotient

RR abbr 1. recovery room 2. relative risk

-rrhage /r d /, -rrhagia / re d ə/ suffix referring to an unusual flow or discharge of blood

-rrhaphy /rəfi/ suffix referring to surgical sewing or suturing

-rrhexis /reks s/ suffix referring to splitting or rupture

-rrhoea /r ə/ suffix referring to an unusual flow or discharge of fluid from an organ

RSCN abbr Registered Sick Children’s Nurse RSI abbr repetitive strain injury

RSV abbr respiratory syncytial virus RTN abbr Registered Theatre Nurse

rub /r"b/ noun a lotion used to rub on the skin

The ointment is used as a rub. verb 1. to move something, especially the hands, backwards and forwards over a surface She rubbed her leg after she knocked it against the table. He rubbed his hands to make the circulation return. 2. to rub into to make an ointment go into the skin by rubbing Rub the liniment gently into the skin.

rubber / r"bə/ noun 1. a material which can be stretched and compressed, made from the thick white liquid called latex, from a tropical tree 2. a condom (informal)

rubber sheet / r"bə ʃi t/ noun a waterproof sheet put on hospital beds or on the bed of a child who is prone to bedwetting, to protect the mattress

rubbing alcohol / r"b ŋ lkəhɒl/ noun US same as surgical spirit

rubefacient / ru b fe ʃ(ə)nt/ noun a substance which makes the skin warm, and pink or red adjective causing the skin to become red

rubella /ru belə/ noun a common infectious viral disease of children with mild fever, swollen lymph nodes and rash. Also called German measles

COMMENT: Rubella can cause stillbirth or malformation of an unborn baby if the mother catches the disease while pregnant. One component of the MMR vaccine immunises against rubella.

rubeola /ru bi ələ/ noun same as measles Rubin’s test / ru b nz test/ noun a test to

see if the Fallopian tubes are free from obstruction [After Isador Clinton Rubin (b. 1883), US gynaecologist]

rubor / ru bə/ noun redness of the skin or tis-

sue

rudimentary / ru d ment(ə)ri/ adjective existing in a small form, or not developed fully

The child was born with rudimentary arms.

Ruffini corpuscles /ru fi ni kɔ p"s(ə)lz/, Ruffini nerve endings /ru fi ni n! v

end ŋz/ plural noun branching nerve endings in the skin, which are thought to be sensitive to heat

ruga / ru &ə/ noun a fold or ridge, especially in a mucous membrane such as the lining of the stomach (NOTE: The plural is rugae.)

rule out / ru l aυt/ verb to state that someone does not have a specific disease We can rule out shingles.

rumbling / r"mbl ŋ/ noun borborygmus, noise in the abdomen, caused by gas in the intestine

rumination / ru m ne ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a condition in which someone has constant irrational thoughts which they cannot control 2. the regurgitation of food from the stomach which is then swallowed again

run /r"n/ verb (of the nose) to drip with liquid secreted from the mucous membrane in the nasal passage His nose is running. If your nose is running, blow it on a handkerchief. One of the symptoms of a cold is a running nose.

run-down / r"n daυn/ adjective exhausted and unwell

running / r"n ŋ/ adjective from which liquid is flowing running eyes

running sore / r"n ŋ sɔ / noun a sore which is discharging pus

runny nose / r"ni nəυz/ noun a nose which is dripping with liquid from the mucous membrane

runs /r"nz/ noun the runs same as diarrhoea

(informal) I’ve got the runs again. (NOTE: Takes a singular or plural verb.)

rupture / r"ptʃə/ noun 1. the breaking or tearing of an organ such as the appendix 2. same as hernia verb to break or tear some-

thing

ruptured spleen / r"ptʃəd spli n/ noun a spleen which has been torn by piercing or by a

blow

Russell traction / r"s(ə)l tr kʃ(ə)n/ noun a type of traction with weights and slings used to straighten a femur which has been fractured

[Described 1924. After R. Hamilton Russell (1860–1933), Australian surgeon.]

Ryle’s tube / ra lz tju b/ noun a thin tube which is passed into the stomach through either the nose or mouth, used to pump out the contents of the stomach or to introduce a barium meal in the stomach [Described 1921. After John Alfred Ryle (1882–1950), physician at London, Cambridge and Oxford, UK.]

Sabin vaccine / se b n v ksi n/ noun an oral vaccine against poliomyelitis, consisting of weak live polio virus. Compare Salk vaccine (NOTE: This is the vaccine used in the UK) [Developed 1955. After Albert Bruce Sabin (1906–93), Russian-born New York bacteriologist.]

sac /s k/ noun a part of the body shaped like a bag

saccades /s ke dz/ plural noun controlled rapid movements of the eyes made when a person is changing the direction in which they are focusing, e.g. when they are reading sacchar- /s kə/ prefix same as saccharo-

(used before vowels)

saccharide / s kəra d/ noun a form of carbohydrate

saccharin / s kər n/ noun a white crystalline substance, used in place of sugar because, although it is nearly 500 times sweeter than sugar, it contains no carbohydrates saccharine / s kəra n/ adjective relating to, resembling or containing sugar

saccharo- /s kərəυ/ prefix referring to sugar saccule / s kju l/, sacculus / s kjυləs/ noun the smaller of two sacs in the vestibule of the inner ear which is part of the mechanism which relates information about the position of the head in space

sacra / se krə/ plural of sacrum

sacral / se krəl/ adjective referring to the sacrum

sacral foramen / se krəl fə re mən/ noun one of the openings in the sacrum through which the sacral nerves pass. See illustration at

PELVIS in Supplement (NOTE: The plural is sac-

ral foramina.)

sacralisation / s krəla ze ʃ(ə)n/, sacralization noun a condition in which the lowest lumbar vertebra fuses with the sacrum sacral nerve / s krəl n! v/ noun one of the nerves which branch from the spinal cord in the sacrum and govern the legs, the arms and the genital area

sacral plexus / se krəl pleksəs/ noun a group of nerves inside the pelvis near the sac-

rum which lead to nerves in the buttocks, back of the thigh and lower leg and foot

sacral vertebrae / se krəl v! t bri / plural noun the five vertebrae in the lower part of the spine which are fused together to form the sacrum

sacro- /se krəυ/ prefix referring to the sacrum sacrococcygeal / se krəυkɒk si d iəl/ adjective referring to the sacrum and the coccyx

sacroiliac / se krəυ li k/ adjective referring to the sacrum and the ilium

sacroiliac joint / se krəυ li k d ɔ nt/ noun a joint where the sacrum joins the ilium

sacroiliitis / se krəυ li a t s/ noun inflammation of the sacroiliac joint

sacrotuberous ligament / se krəυtju bərəs l &əmənt/ noun the large ligament

between the iliac spine, the sacrum, the coccyx and the ischial tuberosity

sacro-uterine ligament / se krəυju təra n l &əmənt/ noun a ligament which

goes from the neck of the uterus to the sacrum, passing on each side of the rectum

sacrum / se krəm/ noun a flat triangular bone, formed of five sacral vertebrae fused together, located between the lumbar vertebrae and the coccyx. It articulates with the coccyx and also with the hip bones. See illustration at

PELVIS in Supplement (NOTE: The plural is sacra.)

SAD abbr seasonal affective disorder saddle joint / s d(ə)l d ɔ nt/ noun a synovial joint where one element is concave and the other convex, like the joint between the thumb and the wrist

saddle-nose / s d(ə)l nəυz/ noun a deep bridge of the nose, usually a sign of injury but sometimes a sign of tertiary syphilis

sadism / se d z(ə)m/ noun a sexual condition in which a person finds sexual pleasure in hurting others

sadist / se d st/ noun a person whose sexual urge is linked to sadism

sadistic /sə d st k/ adjective referring to sadism. Compare masochism

SADS abbr seasonal affective disorder syndrome

safe /se f/ adjective 1. not likely to cause harm

Is it safe to use this drug on someone who is diabetic? 2. in a protected place or situation and not likely to be harmed or lost Keep the drugs in a safe place. He’s safe in hospital being looked after by the doctors and nurses.

(NOTE: safer – safest)

‘…a good collateral blood supply makes occlusion of a single branch of the coeliac axis safe’

[British Medical Journal]

safe dose /se f dəυs/ noun the amount of a drug which can be given without being harmful

safely / se fli/ adverb without danger, without being hurt You can safely take six tablets a

day without any risk of side-effects.

safe period / se f p əriəd/ noun the time during the menstrual cycle, when conception is not likely to occur, and sexual intercourse can take place, used as a method of contracep-

tion. rhythm method

safe sex /se f seks/ noun the use of measures such as a contraceptive sheath and having only one sexual partner to reduce the possibility of catching a sexually transmitted disease safety / se fti/ noun the fact of being safe to take safety precautions to do things which make your actions or condition safe

safety pin / se fti p n/ noun a special type of bent pin with a guard which protects the point, used for attaching nappies or bandages sagittal / s d t(ə)l/ adjective going from the front of the body to the back, dividing it

into right and left

sagittal plane / s d t(ə)l ple n/ noun the division of the body along the midline, at right angles to the coronal plane, dividing the body into right and left parts. Also called median plane. See illustration at in

Supplement

sagittal section / s d t(ə)l sekʃən/ noun any section or cut through the body, going from the front to the back along the length of

the body

sagittal suture / s d t(ə)l su tʃə/ noun a joint along the top of the head where the two parietal bones are fused

StHA abbr Strategic Health Authority

St John Ambulance Association and Brigade /sənt d ɒn mbjυləns ə səυs* ie ʃ(ə)n ən br &e d/ noun a voluntary organ-

isation which gives training in first aid and whose members provide first aid at public events such as football matches and demon-

strations

St Louis encephalitis /se nt lu s en kefə la t s/ noun a sometimes fatal form of encephalitis, transmitted by the ordinary house mosquito, Culex pipiens [After St Louis, Missouri, USA, where it was first diagnosed]

St Vitus’s dance /sənt va təs z dɑ ns/

noun a former name for Sydenham’s chorea salbutamol /s l bju təmɒl/ noun a drug

which relaxes and dilates the bronchi, used in the relief of asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis

salicylate /sə l s le t/ noun one of various pain-killing substances derived from salicylic acid, e.g. aspirin

salicylic acid / s l s l k s d/ noun a white antiseptic substance which destroys bacteria and fungi and which is used in ointments to treat corns, warts and other skin disorders salicylism / s l s l z(ə)m/ noun the effects of poisoning due to too much salicylic acid. Symptoms include headache, tinnitus, faintness and vomiting.

saline / se la n/ adjective referring to or containing salt The patient was given a saline

transfusion. noun same as saline solution saline drip / se la n dr p/ noun a drip con-

taining a saline solution

saline solution / se la n sə lu ʃ(ə)n/ noun a solution made of distilled water and sodium chloride, which is introduced into the body intravenously through a drip

saliva /sə la və/ noun a fluid in the mouth, secreted by the salivary glands, which starts the process of digesting food (NOTE: For terms referring to saliva, see words beginning with ptyal- , ptyalo- or sial-, sialo-.)

COMMENT: Saliva is a mixture of a large quantity of water and a small amount of mucus, secreted by the salivary glands. Saliva acts to keep the mouth and throat moist, allowing food to be swallowed easily. It also contains the enzyme ptyalin, which begins the digestive process of converting starch into sugar while food is still in the mouth. Because of this association with food, the salivary glands produce saliva automatically when food is seen, smelt or even simply talked about.

salivary /sə la v(ə)ri/ adjective referring to

saliva

salivary calculus /sə la v(ə)ri k lkjυləs/

noun a stone which forms in a salivary gland salivary gland /sə la v(ə)ri &l nd/ noun a

gland which secretes saliva, situated under the tongue (the sublingual gland), beneath the lower jaw (the submandibular gland) and in the neck at the back of the lower jaw joint (the parotid gland)

salivate / s l ve t/ verb to produce saliva salivation / s l ve ʃ(ə)n/ noun the produc-

tion of saliva

Salk vaccine / sɔ k v ksi n/ noun an injected vaccine against poliomyelitis, consisting of inactivated polio virus. Compare Sabin vaccine [Developed 1954. After Jonas Edward

Salk (1914–95), virologist in Pittsburgh, USA.] salmeterol /s l metərɒl/ noun a drug which

relaxes and widens the airways, used to treat severe asthma

Salmonella / s lmə nelə/ noun a genus of pathogenic bacteria which live in the intestines and are usually acquired by eating contaminated food, responsible for many cases of gastroenteritis and for typhoid or paratyphoid fever

(NOTE: The plural is Salmonellae.)

Salmonella poisoning / s lmə neləpɔ z(ə)n ŋ/ noun poisoning caused by Salmonellae which develop in the intestines

Five people were taken to hospital with Salmonella poisoning.

salmonellosis / s lməne ləυs s/ noun food poisoning caused by Salmonella in the digestive system

salping- /s lp nd / prefix same as salpingo-

(used before vowels)

salpingectomy / s lp n d ektəmi/ noun a surgical operation to remove or cut a Fallopian tube, used as a method of contraception

salpingitis / s lp n d a t s/ noun inflammation, usually of a Fallopian tube salpingo- /s lp ŋ&əυ/ prefix 1. referring to the Fallopian tubes 2. referring to the auditory meatus

salpingography / s lp ŋ &ɒ&rəfi/ noun an X-ray examination of the Fallopian tubes

salpingolysis / s lp ŋ &ɒl s s/ noun a surgical operation to open up blocked Fallopian tubes by removing any adhesions near the ovaries

salpingo-oophorectomy /s l p ŋ&əυəυəfə rektəmi/ noun a surgical operation to

remove a Fallopian tube and ovary

salpingo-oophoritis /s l p ŋ&əυ əυəfə ra t s/, salpingo-oothecitis /s l p ŋ&əυ

əυəθ sa t s/ noun inflammation of a Fallopian tube and the ovary connected to it

salpingo-oophorocele /s l p ŋ&əυ əυ ɒfərəυsi l/, salpingo-oothecocele /s lp ŋ&əυ əυə θi kəυsi l/ noun a hernia where a

Fallopian tube and its ovary pass through a weak point in the surrounding tissue salpingostomy / s lp ŋ &ɒstəmi/ noun a surgical operation to open up a blocked Fallopian tube

salpinx / s lp ŋks/ noun same as Fallopian tube (NOTE: The plural is salpinges.)

salt /sɔ lt/ noun 1. small white crystals mainly of sodium chloride used to flavour and preserve food 2. a crystalline compound, usually containing a metal, formed when an acid is neutralised by an alkali

COMMENT: Salt forms a necessary part of diet, as it replaces salt lost in sweating and helps to control the water balance in the body. It also improves the working of the muscles and nerves. Most diets contain more salt than each person actually needs, and although it has not been proved to be harmful, it is generally wise to cut down on salt consumption. Salt is one of the four tastes, the others being sweet, sour and bitter.

salt depletion / sɔ lt d pli ʃ(ə)n/ noun loss of salt from the body, by sweating or vomiting, which causes cramp

salt-free diet / sɔ lt fri da ət/ noun a diet in which no salt is allowed

salve /s lv/ noun an ointment

sample / sɑ mpəl/ noun a small quantity of something used for testing Blood samples were taken from all the staff in the hospital. The doctor asked her to provide a urine sample.

sanatorium / s nə tɔ riəm/ noun an institution, similar to a hospital, which treats particular types of disorder such as tuberculosis, or offers special treatment such as hot baths or massage (NOTE: The plural is sanatoria or sanatoriums.)

sandflea / s ndfli / noun the jigger, a tropical insect which enters the skin between the toes and digs under the skin, causing intense irritation

sandfly fever / s ndfla fi və/ noun a virus infection like influenza, which is transmitted by the bite of the sandfly Phlebotomus papatasii and is common in the Middle East sandwich therapy / s nw dʃ θerəpi/ noun a system in which one type of treatment is used between exposures to a different treatment, e.g., chemotherapy given before and after radiation, or radiation given before and after surgery

sangui- /s ŋ&w / prefix relating to blood

sanguineous /s ŋ &w niəs/ adjective referring to blood, containing blood

sanies / se nii z/ noun a discharge from a sore or wound which has an unpleasant smell

sanitary / s n t(ə)ri/ adjective 1. clean 2. referring to hygiene or to health

sanitary towel / s n t(ə)ri taυəl/ noun a disposable pad of absorbent material worn by women to absorb the blood flow during menstruation

sanitation / s n te ʃ(ə)n/ noun the practice of being hygienic, especially referring to public hygiene Poor sanitation in crowded conditions can result in the spread of disease.

SA node / es e nəυd/, S-A node noun same as sinoatrial node

saphena /sə fi nə/ noun same as saphenous vein (NOTE: The plural is saphenae.)

saphenous /sə fi nəs/ adjective relating to the saphenous veins

saphenous nerve /sə fi nəs n! v/ noun a branch of the femoral nerve which connects with the sensory nerves in the skin of the lower leg

saphenous opening /sə fi nəs əυp(ə)n ŋ/ noun a hole in the fascia of the

thigh through which the saphenous vein passes

saphenous vein /sə fi nəs ve n/ noun one of two veins which take blood from the foot up the leg. Also called saphena

COMMENT: The long (internal) saphenous vein, the longest vein in the body, runs from the foot up the inside of the leg and joins the femoral vein. The short (posterior) saphenous vein runs up the back of the lower leg and joins the popliteal vein.

sapphism / s f z(ə)m/ noun same as lesbianism

sapraemia /s pri miə/ noun blood poison-

ing by saprophytes

saprophyte / s prəfa t/ noun a microorganism which lives on dead or decaying tissue saprophytic /s prəυ f t k/ adjective referring to an organism which lives on dead or de-

caying tissue

sarc- /sɑ k/, sarco- /sɑ kəυ/ prefix 1. referring to flesh 2. referring to muscle

sarcoid / sɑ kɔ d/ noun a tumour which is like a sarcoma adjective like a sarcoma sarcoidosis / sɑ kɔ dəυs s/ noun a disease causing enlargement of the lymph nodes, where small nodules or granulomas form in certain tissues, especially in the lungs or liver and other parts of the body. Also called

Boeck’s disease, Boeck’s sarcoid (NOTE: The Kveim test confirms the presence of sarcoido-

sis.)

sarcolemma / sɑ kəυ lemə/ noun a mem-

brane surrounding a muscle fibre

sarcoma /sɑ kəυmə/ noun a cancer of con-

nective tissue such as bone, muscle or cartilage sarcomatosis /sɑ kəυmə təυs s/ noun a

condition in which a sarcoma has spread through the bloodstream to many parts of the

body

sarcomatous /sɑ kɒmətəs/ adjective referring to a sarcoma

sarcomere / sɑ kəm ə/ noun a filament in myofibril

sarcoplasm / sɑ kəpl z(ə)m/ noun semiliquid cytoplasm in muscle membrane. Also

called myoplasm

sarcoplasmic / sɑ kəυ pl zm k/ adjective referring to sarcoplasm

sarcoplasmic reticulum / sɑ kəυ pl zm k r t kjυləm/ noun a network in the

cytoplasm of striated muscle fibres sarcoptes /sɑ kɒpti z/ noun a type of mite

which causes scabies

sardonicus /sɑ dɒn kəs/ risus sardonicus

SARS /sɑ z/ noun a serious, sometimes fatal, infection affecting the respiratory system, first seen in China. Suspected cases of SARS must be isolated with full barrier nursing precautions. Full form severe acute respiratory syndrome

sartorius /sɑ tɔ riəs/ noun a very long muscle, the longest muscle in the body, which runs

from the anterior iliac spine, across the thigh

down to the tibia

saturated fat / s tʃəre t d f t/ noun a fat which has the largest amount of hydrogen possible

COMMENT: Animal fats such as butter and fat meat are saturated fatty acids. It is thought that increasing the amount of unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, mainly vegetable fats and oils, and fish oil, and reducing saturated fats in the food intake helps reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood, and so lessens the risk of atherosclerosis.

saturnism / s tən z(ə)m/ noun lead poisoning

satyriasis / s tə ra əs s/ noun an obsessive sexual urge in a man (NOTE: A similar condition

in a woman is called nymphomania.) saucerisation / sɔ səra ze ʃ(ə)n/, sauceri-

zation noun 1. a surgical operation in which tissue is cut out in the form of a saucer-like depression, usually in order to help material drain away from infected areas of bone 2. the shallow saucer-like appearance of the upper surface of a vertebra after a compression fracture

save /se v/ verb 1. to stop someone from being hurt or killed The doctors saved the little boy from dying of cancer. the surgeons saved her life they stopped the patient from dying 2. to stop something from being damaged The surgeons were unable to save the sight of their patient.

saw /sɔ / noun a tool with a long metal blade with teeth along its edge, used for cutting verb to cut something with a saw (NOTE: saw-

ing – sawed – sawn)

Sayre’s jacket / se əz d k t/ noun a plaster cast which supports the spine when vertebrae have been deformed by tuberculosis or spinal disease [After Lewis Albert Sayre (1820– 1901), US surgeon]

s.c. abbr subcutaneous

scab /sk b/ noun a crust of dry blood which forms over a wound and protects it scabicide / ske bəsa d/ noun a solution which kills mites adjective killing mites scabies / ske bi z/ noun a very irritating infection of the skin caused by a mite which lives under the skin

scala / skɑ lə/ noun a spiral canal in the cochlea

COMMENT: The cochlea is formed of three spiral canals: the scala vestibuli which is filled with perilymph and connects with the oval window; the scala media which is filled with endolymph and transmits vibrations from the scala vestibuli through the basilar membrane to the scala tympani, which in turn transmits the sound vibrations to the round window.

scald /skɔ ld/ noun an injury to the skin caused by touching a very hot liquid or steam. Also called wet burn verb to injure the skin with a very hot liquid or steam