Medical Dictionary Definitions A-Z List
Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z - «S»:
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Spectral karyotype (SKY)
Spectral karyotype(SKY): A visualization of all of the chromosomes in the genome all together with each chromosome labeled with a different color. The SKY technique is useful for identifying chromosome abnormalities....
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Spectrophobia
Spectrophobia: An abnormal and persistent fear of ghosts.
Sufferers of spectrophobia experience undue anxiety even though they
realize their fear is irrational. They may fear going into woods,
empty houses or dark places and may react with alarm at strange or
unexplained noises. No doubt Hollywo...
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Spectrophotometer
Spectrophotometer: A device which measures the amount of ultraviolet light absorbed by a substance. For example, vitamin A absorbs ultraviolet light so that a spectrophotometer can measure within minutes with almost perfect accuracy the amount of vitamin A in a given food. The spectrophotometer, a k...
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Speculum
Speculum: An instrument used to widen an opening to look
within a passage or a cavity. For example, a speculum may be used to
widen the opening of the vagina so that the cervix is more easily
visible. Other examples include the nasal speculum to look up into
the nostrils and the ear speculum to ...
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Speculum, ear
Speculum, ear: An instrument inserted into the auditory
canal of the ear to increase the circumference of the tunnel-shaped
canal walls. (The auditory canal begins at the circular opening of
the ear and continues a distance of about one inch [about 2 1/2 cm]
to the eardrum, or tympanic membrane....
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Speculum, nasal
Speculum, nasal: An instrument used to widen the opening of a nostril so the inside can be more easily seen. "Speculum" is the Latin word for mirror....
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Speculum, vaginal
Speculum, vaginal: An instrument used to
widen the opening of the vagina so that the cervix is more easily visible. "Speculum" is the Latin word for mirror....
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Speech disorder
Speech disorder: A disorder affecting the ability to
produce normal speech. Speech disorders may affect
articulation (phonetic or phonological disorders); fluency
(stuttering or cluttering); and/or voice (tone, pitch,
volume, or speed). Most speech disorders have their roots
in oral-motor diff...
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Speech therapist
Speech therapist: An older term for a speech-
language pathologist....
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Speech therapy
Speech therapy: The treatment of speech and
communication disorders. The approach used depends on the
disorder. It may include physical exercises to strengthen
the muscles used in speech (oral-motor work), speech drills
to improve clarity, or sound production practice to improve
articulation. ...
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Speech, esophageal
Speech, esophageal: See: Esophageal speech....
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Speech-language pathologist
Speech-language pathologist: A specialist who
evaluates and treats communication disorders and swallowing problems. A speech-language pathologist is sometimes called a speech therapist or speech pathologist.
Speech pathologists usually have an MA or doctorate in their specialty, as well as a
Cert...
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Speed
Speed: Common street name for a stimulant drug, especially for an amphetamine.
Amphetamines have been used to treat hyperactivity in children, the symptoms of narcolepsy, and as an appetite suppressant and they are also frequently abused as a stimulant of the central nervous system....
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Sperm
Sperm: A sperm is the male "gamete" or sex cell. It combines with the
female "gamete," called an ovum, to form a zygote. The formation process is
called "fertilization." (see ovum, zygote). ...
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Sperm function
Sperm function: The capability of sperm to function -- to penetrate and fertilize the egg....
