Dictionary

susceptibility gene, breast cancer See breast cancer susceptibility gene.

suture 1 A type of bone joint in which two bones are held tightly together by fibrous tissue, as in the skull. 2 Thread-like material used to sew tissue. 3 To stitch a wound closed.

swallowing syncope The temporary loss of consciousness upon swallowing. See also syncope, situational; vasovagal reaction.

succenturiate Substituting for or accessory to an organ. For example, a succenturiate spleen is an accessory spleen, one that is in addition to the primary spleen.

succenturiate placenta See placenta, accessory.

suction-assisted lipectomy See liposuction.

sudden infant death syndrome The sudden and unexpected death of a baby with no known illness, typically affecting sleeping infants between the ages of 2 weeks and 6 months. Abbreviated SIDS. Infants whose mothers used heroin, methadone, or cocaine during pregnancy; infants born weighing less than 2,000 grams (4.4 pounds); babies with an abnormal breathing…

sudoriferous gland A small, tubular structure situated within and under the skin that discharges sweat through a tiny opening in the surface of the skin. Also known as sweat gland. See also perspiration.

sulcus A groove, furrow, or trench. The plural is sulci. In anatomy, there are many sulci; an example is the superior pulmonary sulcus.

sulfa drug See sulfonamide.

sulfonamide One of the sulfa-related group of antibiotics, which are used to treat bacterial infection and some fungal infections. The sulfonamide family includes sulfadiazine, sulfamethizole (brand names: Thiosulfil Forte), sulfamethoxazole (brand name: Gantanol), sulfasalazine (brand name: Azulfidine), sulfisoxazole (brand name: Gantrisin), and various high-strength combinations of sulfonamides. Sulfa drugs kill bacteria and fungi by interfering…

sulfonylurea A class of oral hypoglycemic agents (medications that lower the level of blood glucose) taken by people with type 2 diabetes. The sulfonylureas increase the secretion of insulin by the pancreas. There are two generations of sulfonylureas. The main difference between the first- and secondgeneration sulfonylureas is in the way they are eliminated from…