Dictionary

supraglottis The upper part of the larynx, including the epiglottis; the area above the vocal cords.

suprarenal gland See adrenal gland.

supraspinatus muscle The muscle that elevates the arm and moves it away from the body. The tendon of the supraspinatus muscle is one of four tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint and constitute the rotator cuff.

suprasternal notch The V-shaped notch at the top of the breastbone (sternum).

surfactant 1 A surface-active agent. 2 A chemical that is secreted by the cells of the alveoli (the tiny air sacs in the lungs) and serves to reduce the surface tension of pulmonary fluids. Surfactant contributes to the elasticity of lung tissue.

surgeon A physician who treats disease, injury, or deformity via operative or manual methods to physically change body tissues. The definition of surgeon has begun to blur in recent years as surgeons have begun to minimize the cutting, employing new technologies that are minimally invasive (such as using scopes and lasers). In England, a surgeon…

surgery The branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or injury. Surgery can involve cutting, abrading, suturing, or otherwise physically changing body tissues and organs.

surgery, fetal The surgical treatment of a fetus before birth. Fetal surgery is usually done when the fetus is not expected to survive to delivery or to live long after birth unless fetal surgery is performed. Also known as prenatal or antenatal surgery.

surgery, retrograde intrarenal See retrograde intrarenal surgery.

surgery, stereotactic See stereotactic surgery.

surgical menopause See menopause, induced.

surrogate 1 A substitute or stand-in. 2 In obstetrics, a woman who carries a child to be reared by another individual or couple, generally accomplished by a) direct insemination with the sperm of a man who is not her partner, or b) the transfer of embryos obtained by IVF. See also in vitro fertilization.