Glossary
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Sciatic Nerve
The largest nerve in the body. It runs from the lower back down the back of both thighs.
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Sedative
A medicine that calms nervousness or excitement.
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Sensorineural
Relating to the senses and the nerves.
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Shunt
A man-made channel through which blood or other bodily fluids pass. It diverts these fluids from their natural course. Shunts are used sometimes in surgeries.
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Slough
Dead tissue being shed or separated from living tissue.
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Spasm
An involuntary and abnormal contraction of the muscles of a hollow organ (such as an airway, artery, the colon, or the esophagus)
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Spirogram
A test used to measure how well the lungs exhale. The information gathered during this test is useful in diagnosing certain types of lung disorders, but is most useful when assessing for obstructive lung diseases (especially asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD).
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Spleen
An organ found in the abdominal area that filters and stores blood. It also produces lymphocytes (white blood cells).
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Sputum
A sticky subsstance that is discarged from the lungs and nose (upper respiratory tract) that contains mucus, and sometimes pus, blood, or other bacterial products.
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SSRI
Any type of antidepressants that prolong the effect of serotonin (the neurotransmitter involved with sleep, mood, and other processes) by stopping its reabsorption by neurons (nerve endings).