Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

Syndactyly is often inherited and is more

common in males. In mild cases, the

affected fingers or toes are joined only

by a web of skin. In more serious cases,

the bones of adjacent digits are fused.

Surgery to separate the affected digits

may be performed in early childhood.

syndromeA group of symptoms and/or

signs that, occurring together, consti-

tutes a particular disorder.

synovectomySurgical removal of the

membrane lining a joint capsule to treat

recurrent or persistent synovitis, usually

due to severe rheumatoid arthritis.

synovitisInflammation of the membrane

lining a joint capsule. The condition

may be acute, in which case it is usually

caused by an attack of arthritis, injury,

or infection; or chronic, as in a disorder

such as rheumatoid arthritis. The affec-

ted joint becomes swollen, painful, and

often warm and red. To find the cause,

joint aspiration or biopsymay be needed.

Symptoms are relieved by rest, sup-

porting the joint with a splint or cast,

analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory

drugs, and, occasionally, a corticosteroid

injection. Chronic synovitis may be trea-

ted by synovectomy.

synoviumA membrane that lines the

capsule surrounding a movable joint.

The synovium also forms a sheath for

certain tendons of the hands and feet.

The membrane secretes synovial fluid,

which lubricates the joint or tendon. The

synovium can become inflamed; in a

joint this is known as synovitis, in a ten-

don sheath it is known as tenosynovitis.

syphilisAn infection caused by TREPON-

EMA PALLIDUM bacteria and spread

through sexual intercourse or other inti-

mate body contact, or, less commonly,

from mother to fetus during pregnancy.

Following sexual infection, the organ-

ism spreads rapidly via the bloodstream

and lymphatic system. The first symptom

is a sore (chancre) that appears on the

genitals, anus, rectum, lips, throat, or

fingers andheals in 4–8 weeks. A rash

then develops, which may be transient,

recurrent, or may last for months. Other

possible symptoms include lymph node

enlargement, headache, bone pain, loss

of appetite, fever, and fatigue. Thickened,

grey or pink patches may develop on

moist areas of skin and are highly infec-

tious. Meningitis may also develop.

Following this symptomatic phase, the

disease becomes latent for a few years,

or sometimes indefinitely. A few untrea-

ted cases proceed, eventually, to a final

stage characterized by widespread tissue

destruction. This may be accompanied

by cardiovascular syphilis, which affects

the aorta and leads to aneurysmand

heart-valve disease; neurosyphilis, with

progressive brain damage and paralysis;

and tabes dorsalisof the spinal cord.

Signs of congenital infection include a

rash, persistent snuffles, bone abnorma-

lities,jaundice, and enlargement of the

liver and spleen. Keratitis, arthritis, a

characteristic flat face, peg-shaped teeth,

and mental handicap may appear later

in childhood.

Diagnosis is by examination of chancre

serum or by blood tests. All forms of

syphilis are treated with antibacterial

drugs. Organ damage already caused by

the disease cannot be reversed.

Practising safer sexcan help to prevent

syphilis infection. People with syphilis

are infectious in the early stages but

not in the latent and final stages.

syphilis, nonvenerealAn infection due

to TREPONEMA PALLIDUMbacteria that is

SYNDROME SYPHILIS, NONVENEREAL

S

SYNOVIUM

Bone

Synovium

Synovial

fluid

Articular

cartilage

Ligament

TYPICAL JOINT