Dictionary

sclerosing cholangitis See primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Sapphism See lesbianism.

sarcoidosis A disease of unknown origin that causes small lumps (granulomas) due to chronic inflammation in body tissues. Sarcoidosis can appear in almost any body organ, but it most often starts in the lungs or lymph nodes. It can also affect the eyes, liver, and skin; and less often it affects the spleen, bones, joints,…

sarcoma One of a group of malignant tumors that arise from connective tissue. Many types are named after the type of cell, tissue, or structure involved. See also angiosarcoma; chondrosarcoma; fibrosarcoma; liposarcoma; osteosarcoma; rhabdomyosarcoma; sarcoma botryoides; sarcoma, Ewing; Kaposi sarcoma; sarcoma, soft-tissue; sarcoma, synovial.

sarcoma, Ewing A malignant tumor that arises in a primitive nerve cell within bone or soft tissue and affects children and adolescents, especially between ages 10 and 20. Ewing sarcoma usually appears in the large bones of the arms and legs and the flat bones of the pelvis, spine, and ribs. Treatments include chemotherapy, surgery,…

sarcoma, soft-tissue A sarcoma that begins in the muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other supporting tissue of the body. See also sarcoma.

sarcoma, synovial A malignant tumor of soft tissue that arises near, but not in, a joint. Synovial sarcomas most often occur in adolescents or young adults, are typically slow-growing, and may escape notice until they become painful. They occur mainly in the arms and legs, near large joints, especially the knees. Although the tumor is…

sarcoma botryoides A malignancy of the cervix, vagina, or bladder in infants and young children that arises from embryonal rhabdomyoblasts (ancestral muscle cells). The tumor resembles a bunch of grapes. It has a generally good prognosis. Treatment includes conservative surgery followed by chemotherapy. Also known as embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. See also rhabdomyosarcoma; sarcoma; sarcoma, soft-tissue.

SARS See severe acute respiratory syndrome.

sartorius muscle The long band of muscle that stretches from the calf to the pelvis. It moves the thigh and, by extension, the leg.

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.

sawbones Slang for a physician, especially a surgeon, and in particular an orthopedic surgeon.