stapesThe innermost of the 3 tiny,
sound-conducting bones in the middle
ear. The stapes is the smallest bone in
the body. Its head articulates with the
incus, and its base fits into the oval
window in the wall of the inner ear.
In otosclerosis, the stapes becomes
fixed and cannot transmit sound to the
inner ear. Resultant hearing loss can be
treated by stapedectomy.
staphylococcal infectionsInfections
caused by bacteriaof the genus STAPHYLO-
COCCUS. Different types of staphylococci
are responsible for a variety of disorders,
including skin infections such as pus-
tules, boils, and abscesses, and a rash in
newborn babies (see necrolysis, toxic
epidermal); pneumonia; toxic shock syn-
dromein menstruating women; urinary
tract infection; food poisoning; and, if the
bacteria enter the circulation, septic
shock, infectious arthritis, osteomyelitis,
or bacterial endocarditis.
starchSee carbohydrates.
starvationA condition caused by lack
of food over a long period, resulting in
weight loss, changes in metabolism, and
extreme hunger. (See also anorexia ner-
vosa; fasting; nutritional disorders.)
stasisSlowing down or cessation of flow.
statinsA type of lipid-lowering drug used
to treat high blood levels of cholesterol
or to lower blood lipid levels in people
with coronary artery disease.
statistics, medicalThe collection and
analysis of numerical data relating to
medicine. Information on the incidence
and prevalenceof various conditions is
an important aspect of medical statistics.
statistics, vitalAssessment of a popu-
lation’s health that relies on the
collection of data on birth and death
rates and on the causes of death.
status asthmaticusA severe and pro-
longed attack of asthma. This is a
potentially life-threatening condition
that requires urgent treatment.
status epilepticusProlonged or repea-
ted epileptic seizures without recovery
of consciousness between attacks. This
is a medical emergency that may be
fatal if not treated promptly. It is more
likely to occur if anticonvulsant drugs
are taken erratically or if they are with-
drawn suddenly. (See also epilepsy.)steam inhalationA method of relieving
some of the symptoms of colds, sinusi-
tis, and laryngitis by breathing in hot
vapour from a bowl of hot water. The
moisture loosens secretions in the nose
and throat, making them easier to clear.steatorrhoeaThe presence of excessive
fat in the faeces. Steatorrhoea causes
offensive-smelling, bulky, loose, greasy,
pale-coloured faeces, which float in the
toilet. Steatorrhoea may occur in panc-
reatitisand coeliac diseaseand after the
removal of substantial segments of
small intestine. It is also a side effect
of some lipid-lowering drugs.
Stein-Leventhal syndromeSee ovary,
polycystic.
stem cellA basic cell in the body from
which more specialized cells are formed.
Stem cells within the bone marrowpro-
duce blood cellsthrough a series of
maturation steps. Stem cells are found
in blood and can be transplanted as an
alternative to bone marrow transplanta-
tion. Stem cells can be obtained from a
donor sibling, a matched but unrelated
donor, or from stored umbilical blood.
Patients can also act as their own
donors, with cells harvested and stored
to be reinfused later after treatment has
damaged the bone marrow. Stem-cell
transplantation is used mainly for peo-
ple being treated for leukaemia and
other cancers but may, in the future, be
used for noncancerous disorders.STAPES STEM CELLS
STEAM INHALATION
TowelHot
water