Dictionary

sac, egg See ovary.

Sabin vaccine See polio vaccine, oral.

SA node Sinoatrial node.

Rx 1 On a prescription, abbreviation for recipe (Latin for “to take”). See also Appendix A, “Prescription Abbreviations.” 2 In a pharmacological catalog, an indicator that one will need a prescription to buy a listed item.

RV Rotavirus.

RUQ Right upper quadrant, the upper-right quarter of the abdomen.

RUL Right upper lobe, the upper-right lobe of the lung.

rubeola See measles

rubella syndrome, fetal A constellation of abnormalities caused by infection of a mother with the rubella (German measles) virus before the birth of her baby. The syndrome is characterized by mental retardation and multiple birth defects, including abnormally small head, cataracts, glaucoma, abnormally small eyes, and cardiovascular malformations. Deafness is common. The risk of congenital…

rubella immunization See MMR.

rubella German measles, a contagious viral disease whose symptoms include upper respiratory tract infection, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash with small spots. Exposure of a pregnant woman to rubella can infect and damage the baby. Prevention of fetal rubella syndrome is the main reason for rubella immunization. See also rubella syndrome, fetal.

RU-486 The non-surgical abortion pill, which has been used in combination with another drug called misoprostol to terminate pregnancy at an early stage. A woman using RU-486 can be no more than 7 weeks pregnant. The drug has 95 percent effectiveness. About 5 percent of women using RU486 in early pregnancy need additional medical intervention…