Sanfilippo syndrome The most common disorder of mucopolysaccharide metabolism, a syndrome in which the onset of clinical abnormalities occurs between ages 2 and 6, with mild coarsening of the facial features (but normal clear corneas), mild stiffening of the joints, slowing of growth, and intellectual deterioration that results in severe mental retardation. On a biochemical…
sanguine 1 Having a ruddy (reddish) complexion. 2 Cheerful, hopeful, confident, optimistic, or impulsive.
saphenous vein One of the two saphenous veins—the great and the small saphenous veins— that serve as the principal veins running near the surface of the leg. The saphenous veins carry deoxygenated blood from the feet and legs toward the heart. See also saphenous vein, great; saphenous vein, small.
saphenous vein, great The larger of the two saphenous veins, which runs from the foot all the way up to the saphenous opening, an oval aperture in the broad fascia of the thigh. The great saphenous vein passes through this fibrous membrane. Also known as large saphenous vein.
saphenous vein, large See saphenous vein, great.
saphenous vein, small The smaller of the two saphenous veins, which runs behind the outer malleolus (the protuberance on the outside of the ankle joint), comes up the back of the leg, and joins the popliteal vein in the space behind the knee (popliteal space). See also saphenous vein.
SAPHO syndrome Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis syndrome, which involves symptoms including warmth, tenderness, pain, swelling, and stiffness of involved joints (arthritis); fluid-filled blister-like areas (pustules), typically on the palms of the hands and/or the soles of the feet, and peeling and flaking of skin in those areas; abnormal, excessive growth of bone, frequently…
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…
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.
rubella immunization See MMR.
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…
rubeola See measles