Scheuermann’s disease A skeletal disease that usually begins in adolescence in which the vertebrae grow unevenly, resulting in wedge-shaped vertebrae and a hunched back. Treatment with casting and a back brace is successful if undertaken early. Also known as juvenile kyphosis and curvature of the spine.
SCFE Slipped capital femoral epiphysis.
scarlet fever A skin condition that is due to a streptococcal sore throat or any other streptococcal infection. The group A streptococcal bacteria produce a toxin that causes a scarlet rash that initially appears on the neck and chest, then spreads over the body, and lasts around 3 days. As the rash fades, desquamation (peeling)…
scarlatina See scarlet fever.
scapula The flat triangular bone at the back of the shoulder. Also known as shoulder blade and wingbone. See also subscapular; subscapularis muscle.
scan 1 Data or an image obtained from the examination of organs or regions of the body by gathering information with a sensing device. 2 To examine or view with a sensing instrument or imaging machine.
scalded skin syndrome See staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome.
scabies, keratotic A severe form of scabies that is caused by delaying treatment of the initial infestation. Keratotic scabies is characterized by mite-filled lesions covered with scabs. These lesions often become infected with bacteria such as staphylococcus. Keratotic scabies is most common in people with immune-system problems, including AIDS, diabetes, and lupus. Also known as…
scabies Infestation of the skin by the human itch mite Sarcoptes scabei. The initial symptom of scabies are red, raised bumps that are intensely itchy. A magnifying glass reveals short, wavy lines of red skin, which are the burrows made by the mites. Treatment involves use of several scabicide medications. See also scabicide.
scabicide A medication that is used to treat scabies. Examples include permethrin cream, lindane, or crotamiton lotion and cream. Sulfur in petrolatum (10 percent) is one of few effective scabicidal treatments that may be used safely without fear of toxicity in very small children and in pregnant women. See also scabies; scabies, keratotic.
sawbones Slang for a physician, especially a surgeon, and in particular an orthopedic surgeon.
saturated fat A fat that contains only saturated fatty acids, is solid at room temperature, and comes chiefly from animal food products. Some examples of saturated fat are butter, lard, meat fat, solid shortening, palm oil, and coconut oil. Saturated fat tends to raise the level of cholesterol in the blood.