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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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Sensitization
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SensitizationPotential recipients are "sensitized" if there are antibodies in their blood, usually because of pregnancy, blood transfusions or previous rejection of an organ transplant. Sensitization is measured by PRA. Highly sensitized patients are more likely to reject an organ transplant than unsensitized patients.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Antibodies
Proteins produced by white blood cells. They confer immunity.
Blood
The life-maintaining fluid which is made up of plasma, red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets; blood circulates through the body's heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries; it carries away waste matter and carbon dioxide, and brings nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the tissues.
Rejection
The process by which the body tries to get rid of a transplanted organ or tissue by producing antibodies. Immunosuppressive drugs help to prevent rejection.
Organ
A structural unit of an animal or plant that serves a specific function.
Sensitization
Potential recipients are "sensitized" if there are antibodies in their blood, usually because of pregnancy, blood transfusions or previous rejection of an organ transplant. Sensitization is measured by PRA. Highly sensitized patients are more likely to reject an organ transplant than unsensitized patients.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Sensate focus
A term introduced by Masters and Johnson to refer to the procedure in sex therapy whereby each partner in turn explores the sensory responsivity of the other, especially through the sense of touch, as in fondling, and stopping short of penovaginal intercourse.
Sensipar
Sensipar is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) approved in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): cinacalcet hydrochloride.
Sensitivity
1. The reciprocal of the minimum stimulus strength required for the stimulus to be detected reliably (1/threshold) May be related to noise and other mechanisms. 2. Physiologically measured sensitivity averaged over many stimulus/response cycles. A measure of gain. Noise free.
Sensitivity control
Adjustment of eye sensitivity to compensate for a change in illumination.
Sensorcaine
Sensorcaine is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) approved in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): bupivacaine hydrochloride.
Sensors
A device, such as a photoelectric cell, that receives and responds to a signal or stimulus.
Sensory extinction
Failure to report sensory stimuli from one region if another region is stimulated simultaneously, even though when the region in question is stimulated by itself, the stimulus is correctly reported.
Sensory fusion
The combining of drawing together of two images which fall on different points in the two retinas without changing the vergence of the two eyes.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Sulfonylureas
One of several different classes of pills that lower the level of glucose in the blood. Used in Type 2 diabetes. |There are several sulfonylurea pills available. Four, known as "first-generation" drugs, have been in use for some time. Three types, called "second-generation" drugs, have been developed recently. They are sometimes stronger than first-generation drugs and have fewer side effects. Each type of pill is sold under two names: one is the generic name as listed by the US Food and Drug Administration; the other is the trade name given by the manufacturer. They are:
Syringe
A device used to inject medications or other liquids into body tissues. The syringe for insulin has a hollow plastic or glass tube (barrel) with a plunger inside. The plunger forces the insulin through the needle into the body. Most insulin syringes now come with a needle attached. The side of the syringe has markings to show how much insulin is being injected.
SCALING AND ROOT PLANING
Scaling and root planing is usually performed after the dentist has diagnosed some periodontal disease. Scaling and root planing involves removal of the sticky plaque and tartar that builds up on teeth. The procedure may be performed under local anesthetic with an ultrasonic scaler, which can reach below the gum line and into the effective pocket to remove bacteria and the toxins they release. After this procedure, the dentist or hygienist will plane the root surface thereby allowing the gum to reattach to the tooth. Depending on the severity of the case, scaling and root planing may not cure the affected pockets and further periodontal treatment may be needed.
Saphenous Vein
Vein located in the leg(s) and used for coronary artery bypass surgery. It is surgically removed from the leg and sewn from the aorta to the coronary artery beyond the site of blockage.
Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure of the pulmonary arteries. Secondary hypertension is a disease process which reduces the blood supply to the lungs such as a blood clot (pulmonary emboli).
Sensitization
Septal Defect
A hole or "defect" is in the heart muscle forming a wall between the left and right side of the heart. Can be an atrial septal defect (ASD) or ventricular septal defect (VSD).
Sestamibi Exercise Stress Test (Sestamibi stress test, stress perfusion scan, stress Sestamibi)
A diagnostic study, which uses a small amount of radioactive tracer, injected into the body, and a special camera, which detects the radiation, released by the substance to produce a computer image of the heart. Combined with exercise, the study can help determine if there is adequate blood flow to the heart at rest, as compared with activity.
Side Effect
An unintended effect of a drug on tissues or organs other than the drug benefits.
Sodium
A mineral found in most of the foods we eat. The largest source of dietary sodium comes from sodium chloride or table salt. Intake of sodium tends to increase the retention of water.
Status
Indicated degree of medical urgency for patients awaiting transplants.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Antibodies
Proteins produced by white blood cells. They confer immunity.
Blood
The life-maintaining fluid which is made up of plasma, red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets; blood circulates through the body's heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries; it carries away waste matter and carbon dioxide, and brings nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the tissues.
Rejection
The process by which the body tries to get rid of a transplanted organ or tissue by producing antibodies. Immunosuppressive drugs help to prevent rejection.
Organ
A structural unit of an animal or plant that serves a specific function.
Sensitization
Potential recipients are "sensitized" if there are antibodies in their blood, usually because of pregnancy, blood transfusions or previous rejection of an organ transplant. Sensitization is measured by PRA. Highly sensitized patients are more likely to reject an organ transplant than unsensitized patients.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Sensate focus
A term introduced by Masters and Johnson to refer to the procedure in sex therapy whereby each partner in turn explores the sensory responsivity of the other, especially through the sense of touch, as in fondling, and stopping short of penovaginal intercourse.
Sensipar
Sensipar is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) approved in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): cinacalcet hydrochloride.
Sensitivity
1. The reciprocal of the minimum stimulus strength required for the stimulus to be detected reliably (1/threshold) May be related to noise and other mechanisms. 2. Physiologically measured sensitivity averaged over many stimulus/response cycles. A measure of gain. Noise free.
Sensitivity control
Adjustment of eye sensitivity to compensate for a change in illumination.
Sensorcaine
Sensorcaine is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) approved in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): bupivacaine hydrochloride.
Sensors
A device, such as a photoelectric cell, that receives and responds to a signal or stimulus.
Sensory extinction
Failure to report sensory stimuli from one region if another region is stimulated simultaneously, even though when the region in question is stimulated by itself, the stimulus is correctly reported.
Sensory fusion
The combining of drawing together of two images which fall on different points in the two retinas without changing the vergence of the two eyes.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Sulfonylureas
One of several different classes of pills that lower the level of glucose in the blood. Used in Type 2 diabetes. |There are several sulfonylurea pills available. Four, known as "first-generation" drugs, have been in use for some time. Three types, called "second-generation" drugs, have been developed recently. They are sometimes stronger than first-generation drugs and have fewer side effects. Each type of pill is sold under two names: one is the generic name as listed by the US Food and Drug Administration; the other is the trade name given by the manufacturer. They are:
Syringe
A device used to inject medications or other liquids into body tissues. The syringe for insulin has a hollow plastic or glass tube (barrel) with a plunger inside. The plunger forces the insulin through the needle into the body. Most insulin syringes now come with a needle attached. The side of the syringe has markings to show how much insulin is being injected.
SCALING AND ROOT PLANING
Scaling and root planing is usually performed after the dentist has diagnosed some periodontal disease. Scaling and root planing involves removal of the sticky plaque and tartar that builds up on teeth. The procedure may be performed under local anesthetic with an ultrasonic scaler, which can reach below the gum line and into the effective pocket to remove bacteria and the toxins they release. After this procedure, the dentist or hygienist will plane the root surface thereby allowing the gum to reattach to the tooth. Depending on the severity of the case, scaling and root planing may not cure the affected pockets and further periodontal treatment may be needed.
Saphenous Vein
Vein located in the leg(s) and used for coronary artery bypass surgery. It is surgically removed from the leg and sewn from the aorta to the coronary artery beyond the site of blockage.
Secondary Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure of the pulmonary arteries. Secondary hypertension is a disease process which reduces the blood supply to the lungs such as a blood clot (pulmonary emboli).
Sensitization
Septal Defect
A hole or "defect" is in the heart muscle forming a wall between the left and right side of the heart. Can be an atrial septal defect (ASD) or ventricular septal defect (VSD).
Sestamibi Exercise Stress Test (Sestamibi stress test, stress perfusion scan, stress Sestamibi)
A diagnostic study, which uses a small amount of radioactive tracer, injected into the body, and a special camera, which detects the radiation, released by the substance to produce a computer image of the heart. Combined with exercise, the study can help determine if there is adequate blood flow to the heart at rest, as compared with activity.
Side Effect
An unintended effect of a drug on tissues or organs other than the drug benefits.
Sodium
A mineral found in most of the foods we eat. The largest source of dietary sodium comes from sodium chloride or table salt. Intake of sodium tends to increase the retention of water.
Status
Indicated degree of medical urgency for patients awaiting transplants.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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