BIOSCIENCE.

Glossary

BioScience.com.pk try the best to avoid the use of medical terms that could make it more difficult to understand the information on this website. Still, there are a number of terms that can't be avoided and that are useful to know because they are so often used by the doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals with whom you might speak. The list below includes the terms used on BioScience.com.pk for which we have provided definitions.

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Term Definition
Spina bifida

A birth defect in which the bones of the spine do not close around the spinal cord (the continuation of brain tissue that normally is surrounded by the spinal bones); this opening may be covered by skin (also called spina bifida occulta, which means hidden), in which case there may be no or mild symptoms. In other cases, the skin does not cover the defect, allowing the covering of the brain and spinal cord, the meninges, to protrude out through the skin (meningocele) or, in some cases, to rupture, exposing the spinal cord itself (meningomyelocyle). These latter two examples may cause severe damage to the nerves of the legs and lower abdomen, causing paralysis and bowel and bladder malfunction.
Spirochete

Any of a group of spiral-shaped bacteria
Spleen

organ located in the abdomen that functions mainly to store blood cells, remove old blood cells from circulation, produce lymphocytes to fight infection, and filter foreign substances from the blood
Spondylitis

An inflammation of the vertebrae
Spore

1. Small, usually single-celled reproductive unit of some microorganisms such as fungi.
2. Form assumed by some bacteria that is resistant to heat, drying, and chemicals; an example of a disease caused by spore-forming bacteria is anthrax.
Sputum

Viscous material that is derived from the lower air passages such as the lungs and bronchi that may contain substances such as mucus, blood, pus and/or bacteria; it is not the saliva that is produced by the glands in the mouth.
Stage
  • In medicine, a defined period or phase in the development, progress or extent of a disease or condition; the process of determining the period or phase of a disease or condition. In cancer, the stage is the degree to which the cancer has grown or spread. Generally, lower numbers and/or letters mean less extensive stages.
  • (On a microscope) a raised and usually movable plate on which a slide or object is placed for examination.
  • A raised floor or platform.
Statins

A group of drugs that reduce the production of cholesterol and promote the clearance of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from the blood by the liver.
Stem cells

Cells that are able to develop into many (or all) types of cells
Stenosis

A narrowing or constriction of a passageway in the body, such as in a blood vessel or spinal canal
Steroids

A group of chemicals derived from cholesterol that typically functions as hormones; common types of steroids include sex steroids (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone), glucocorticosteroids (cortisol, prednisone, dexmethasone), and mineralacorticosteroids (aldosterone).
Subcutaneous

Under the skin
Suprarenal gland

Also known as: Adrenal Gland


One of a pair of glands located above each kidney that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream. Each gland has two parts that perform different functions.
1. The adrenal cortex produces and secretes hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone and sex steroids. They are involved in many different body functions.
2. The adrenal medulla produces and secretes catecholamines such as adrenaline (epinephrine) and norepinephrine.
Symptom

Evidence of a disease or condition experienced or perceived by a patient
Syncope

Fainting; loss of consciousness