Dictionary of Medical Terms

Gain a better understanding of medical terminology by searching our dictionary of more than 1,300 terms.

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All terms that start with the letter S

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sac

Pouch; a bag-like structure.
saccharin

A compound that’s hundreds of times sweeter than table sugar. Used as an artificial sweetener.
sacroiliac

Having to do with the joint formed by the sacrum and the ilium in the lower back.
saliva

An enzyme-containing thin, watery secretion of the salivary glands.
salivary gland

Any one of the three pairs of glands of the mouth (parotid, submaxillary and sublingual) that release saliva.
salmonella

A form of food poisoning characterized by fever and intestinal disorder due to Salmonella bacteria.
salve

Ointment.
sanguineous

Bloody.
scabies

An itchy, contagious skin condition caused by mites.
scapula

The shoulder blade.
scarlet fever

Fever and skin reaction caused by certain strains of streptococcus bacteria, usually following a streptococcal infection of the throat, middle…
schizophrenia

A chronic mental disorder characterized by an inability to differentiate reality from fantasy. Often associated with hallucinations or delusions.
sciatica

Pain or inflammation going from the back to the buttock along the sciatic nerve.
sclera

The tough white covering of the eyeball.
scleritis

Inflammation of the sclera, causing pain, redness and possible loss of vision. Can be a complication of rheumatoid arthritis.
scleroderma

A chronic disease characterized by hardening or thickening of the skin due to abnormal tissue growth.
sclerosis

Hardening.
scotoma

A blind spot in an area of otherwise normal vision.
scratch test

A test for allergies in which small amounts of potential allergens are inserted in small scratches made in the…
scrotum

The skin-covered sac that contains the testes.
scurvy

A condition caused by vitamin C deficiency. Symptoms include loss of appetite, bleeding gums, bruising, inability to gain weight and…

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