Dictionary

shinbone See tibia.

shin splint An inflammatory condition of the front part of the tibia (the big bone in the lower leg) that results from overuse, as, for example, from running too much on hard roads or sidewalks. Shin splints are due to injury to the posterior peroneal tendon, ligaments, and adjacent tissues in the front (anterior) of…

shigellosis Epidemic and opportunistic (causes disease when the immune system is suppressed) dysentery that is due to infection with shigella bacteria. Shigellosis causes intestinal pain and diarrhea, with mucus and blood in the stool. It is especially common in tropical countries but frequently occurs elsewhere. It is a particular hazard for people with AIDS or…

shigella A group of bacteria that can cause infantile gastroenteritis, summer diarrhea of childhood (a common cause of death for children in the mid19th century), and various forms of dysentery, including epidemic and opportunistic bacillary dysentery.

shell shock See post-traumatic stress disorder.

sharp Medical slang for a needle or a similar pointed object.

shaking palsy See Parkinson’s disease.

shaken baby syndrome Characteristic injuries caused by violently shaking an infant. Shaken baby syndrome has distinctive features, including hemorrhage (bleeding) into the retina, hemorrhage and swelling of the brain, and patterned bruising and fractures (breaks) of the child’s ribs or bones where they have been twisted from the shaking. Shaken baby syndrome is the most…

SGPT Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase. See alanine aminotransferase.

SGOT Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase. See aspartate aminotransferase.

SGA Small for gestational age.

sexually transmitted disease in women Sexually transmitted disease (STD) as it affects women. Women can contract all the known STDs but may have no symptoms or have different symptoms than men do. For example, women infected with gonorrhea may not have any symptoms but may have a severe pelvic infection later, and they can pass…