Category: Sa-Sf

Localized hardening of skin. Sclerosis is generally caused by underlying diseases, such as diabetes and scleroderma. Treatment is directed toward the cause.

A disease of connective tissue that causes scar tissue (fibrosis) to form in the skin and sometimes also in other organs of the body. Scleroderma is classified into diffuse and limited forms. Diffuse scleroderma affects many internal and external areas of the body, including the skin of the entire body, the bowels, and the lungs. Limited scleroderma affects only certain…

(Or scler-) A confusing prefix that can refer exclusively to hardness (from the Greek “skleros” meaning hard) but that can also refer to the sclera of the eye. Sclerodactyly, for example, is localized thickening and tightness of the skin of the fingers or toes and scleroderma is disease of connective tissue with the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in…

(Or sclero-) A confusing prefix that can refer exclusively to hardness (from the Greek “skleros” meaning hard) but that can also refer to the sclera of the eye. Sclerodactyly, for example, is localized thickening and tightness of the skin of the fingers or toes and scleroderma is disease of connective tissue with the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in…

One of several brain diseases whose symptoms may include loss of personality (flat affect), agitation, catatonia, confusion, psychosis, unusual behavior, and social withdrawal. The illness usually begins in early adulthood. The cause of schizophrenia is not known, but there appear to be both genetic (inherited) and environmental components to the disease. Schizophrenia is not caused by abuse or…

Also called scarlet fever, a disease caused by infection with group A streptococcal bacteria that occurs in a small proportion of people with strep throat. The incubation period between contracting strep and the onset of scarlet fever is short, typically 72 hours but may range from 1 to 7 days. Illness usually begins with a fever and sore…

The making of many small, superficial scratches in the skin. Scarification may be done in giving a smallpox vaccination or in removing a tattoo and leaving a scar in its place.

The shoulder blade (or “wingbone”), the familiar flat triangular bone at the back of the shoulder. The word “scapula” (with the accent on the first syllable) is Latin. The Romans always employed the plural “scapulae”, the shoulder blades. Because the shoulder blade resembles the blade of a trowel (a small shovel), the word “scapula” is thought to…

As a noun, the data or image obtained from the examination of organs or regions of the body by gathering information with a sensing device. For specific scans, please see their alphabetical listings (such as Bone scan, CAT scan, Spiral CAT scan, Nuchal fold scan, and Thyroid scan).

Abnormal shedding or accumulation of an upper layer of skin (the stratum corneum).