Dictionary

S1–S5 Symbols that represent the five sacral vertebrae.

somnoplasty A surgical treatment for snoring in which heat energy is used to remove tissues of the uvula and soft palate. Somnoplasty is usually done as an office procedure with local anesthesia. See also snoring.

somnolent Sleepy or tending to cause sleep. From the Latin work somnus, meaning “sleep.”

somnambulism See sleepwalking.

somatropin See somatotropin.

somatotropin A growth hormone that is produced by the anterior pituitary (the front part of the pituitary gland). Somatotropin acts by stimulating the release of another hormone called somatomedin by the liver, thereby causing growth to occur. Somatotropin is given to children with pituitary dwarfism (short stature due to underfunction of the anterior pituitary) to…

somatostatin A hormone that is widely distributed throughout the body, especially in the hypothalamus and pancreas, that acts as an important regulator of endocrine and nervous system function by inhibiting the secretion of several other hormones such as growth hormone, insulin, and gastrin.

somatization The normal, unconscious process by which psychological distress is expressed as physical symptoms. For example, a person with clinical depression may complain of stomach pains that prove to have no physical cause. Counseling can be helpful to overcome somatization.

somatic Relating to the body, or pertaining to the body as distinguished from the mind (the psyche).

Solar keratosis (also known as actinic keratosis) is a skin condition characterized by rough, scaly patches on the skin caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. It is considered a precancerous lesion because it can potentially progress to squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. Solar keratosis commonly appears on sun-exposed areas…

soft tissue All tissues within the body that serve to support, insulate, or connect the internal structures of the body in addition to their other functions. Examples of soft tissue are muscles, nerves, fat, tendons, blood and lymph vessels, and synovial tissues.

soft palate The muscular part of the roof of the mouth. The soft palate is directly behind the hard palate, and it lacks bone.