cancer of the ovary (see ovary, cancer
of) or the uterus (see uterus, cancer of).
salt Commonly used to refer to sodium
chloride, a substance formed when an
acid and base react. (See also saline.)
salveA healing, soothing ointment.
sandfly bitesBites of small, long-legged
sandflies, found in many warm climates,
which can transmit disease to humans.
In tropical and subtropical areas they
transmit leishmaniasis. In parts of Asia
and the Mediterranean, they transmit
sandfly fever, an influenza-like illness.
In the western Andes, they transmit bar-
tonellosis, different forms of which cause
either joint pain and fever, or a rash.
sanitary protectionArticles, such as
pads and tampons, used to absorb blood
and protect clothing during menstruation.
saphenous veinA major vein that runs
the length of the leg just under the skin.
It is sometimes removed and used to
bypass a blockage in blood vessels of
the heart (see coronary artery bypass).
sarcoidosisA rare disease of unknown
cause in which there is inflammation of
tissues throughout the body, especially
the lymph nodes, lungs, skin, eyes, and
liver. It occurs mainly in young adults.
Symptoms do not always occur, but
when they do, they include fever, gener-
alized aches, painful joints, and painful,
bloodshot eyes. Sarcoidosis may also
cause enlargement of the lymph nodes,
breathlessness, erythema nodosum, a
purplish facial rash, and areas of numb-
ness. Possible complications include
hypercalcaemia, which may damage the
kidneys, and pulmonary fibrosis.
Treatment of sarcoidosis is not always
needed. Most people recover completely
within 2 years, with or without treat-
ment, but some develop a persistent,
chronic form of the disease. Cortico-
steroidsare given to treat persistent
fever or erythema nodosum, to prevent
blindness in an affected eye, and to
reduce the risk of lung damage.
sarcomaA cancer of connective tissue.
Types are osteosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarco-
ma, chondrosarcoma, and fibrosarcoma.
saturated fatsSee fats and oils; nutrition.
scabA crust that forms on the skin or
on a mucous membrane at the site of a
healing wound or infected area.scabiesA skin infestation caused by the
mite SARCOPTES SCABIEI, which burrows
into the skin to lay eggs. Scabies is highly
contagious by close physical contact
and is most common in infants, chil-
dren, and young adults.
The mite’s burrows appearon the skin
as grey, scaly swellings, usually between
the fingers, on the wrists and genitals,
and in the armpits. Later, reddish lumps
may appear on the limbs and trunk. The
infestation causes intenseitching, par-
ticularly at night. Treatment is with an
insecticide lotion.
scaldA burn due to hot liquid or steam.
scaling, dentalRemoval of dental cal-
culi(see calcuus, dental) from the teeth
to prevent or treat periodontal disease.
scalpThe skin of the head, and its
underlying tissue layers, that is normally
covered with hair. Scalp skin is tougher
than other skin and is attached to an
underlying sheet of muscle that extends
from the eyebrows, over the top of the
head, to the nape of the neck. The scalp
is richly supplied with blood vessels.
Disorders affecting the scalp include
dandruff; alopecia; sebaceous cysts; pso-
riasis; fungal infections such as tinea;
and parasitic infestations such as lice.
Cradle capis common in infants.
scalpelA surgical knife for cutting tissue.
scanAn image produced by one of sev-
eral scanning techniques.
scanning techniquesMethods of pro-
ducing images of organ structure (or
sometimes function) using sound waves,
radio waves, X-rays, or other forms of
radiation. Techniques include ultrasound,
CT, radionuclide, MRI, and PET scanning
scaphoidOne of the wristbones. It is
the outermost bone on the thumb side
of the hand, in the row of wrist bones
nearest the elbow.
A fracture of the scaphoid is a common
wrist injury usually caused by a fall on an
outstretched hand. A characteristic symp-
tom is tenderness in the space between
the tendons at the base of the thumb
on the back of the hand. Treatment is by
immobilizing the wrist in a cast.
scapulaOne of a pair of wing-shaped
bones, commonly called the shoulder-
blades, which are situated over the
upper ribs at the back. The scapulaSALT SCAPULAS