Copy of `Dorland's Medical Dictionary`

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Dorland's Medical Dictionary Category: Health and Medicine > Medical Dictionary Date & country: 31/12/2010, USA Words: 39128

sump-Penrose drain
a triple-lumen drain formed by placing a double-lumen tube within a Penrose drain.

Sumycin
(soo-mi´sin) trademark for preparations of tetracycline hydrochloride, an antibiotic.

sun lamp
an electric light that transmits ultraviolet rays; used as a therapeutic device and as a means of obtaining an artificial suntan. See also ultraviolet therapy.

sun protection factor
(SPF) the ratio between the number of minimal erythema doses required to induce erythema through a film of sunscreen and that for unprotected skin.

sunblock
(sun´blok″) a topical protective agent, such as one containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, that prevents sunlight from reaching the skin; the term is often used interchangeably with sunscreen.

sunburn
(sun´burn″) inflammation of the skin (an actual burn) caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun. Depending on how severe the burn is, the skin may simply redden or it may become blistered and sore—a second-degree burn. In extreme cases there may be fever.

sundown syndrome
sundowning.

sundowning
(sun´doun-ing) the appearance of confusion, agitation, and other severely disruptive behavior coupled with inability to remain asleep, occurring only at night or worsening markedly at night; sometimes seen in older patients with dementia or other mental disorders.

sunflower cataract
a brightly colored, usually red anterior capsular opacity with a sunflower pattern that occurs in patients with Wilson disease and elevated blood copper levels; it has little effect on vision and clears after treatment with penicillamine.

sunrise syndrome
(sun´rīz) a condition in which there is unstable cognitive ability upon rising in the morning.

sunscreen
(sun´skrēn″) a lotion applied to the skin as protection against sunburn and the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. Sunscreens are labeled with a numerical sun protection factor; the higher the number the more protection is afforded. Patients should be cautioned that the sunscreen should be reapplied af...

sunstroke
(sun´strōk″) a type of heat stroke involving disturbance of the body's heat-regulating mechanisms, caused by prolonged exposure to excessive heat from the sun, especially when there is little or no circulation of air. This must be distinguished from heat exhaustion, a less serious disorder; in sunstroke there...

superalimentation
(soo″pәr-al″ĭ-mәn-ta´shәn) excessive feeding; sometimes used in the treatment of wasting diseases.

superalkalinity
(soo″pәr-al″kә-lin´ĭ-te) excessive alkalinity.

superantigen
(soo″pәr-an´tĭ-jәn) any of a group of powerful antigens occurring in various bacteria and viruses that bind outside of the normal T cell receptor site and are able to react with multiple T cell receptor molecules, thus activating T cells nonspecifically. Included are staphylococcal enterotoxins and toxi...

supercilia
(soo″pәr-sil´e-ә) eyebrow (def. 2). plural of supercilium (eyebrow, def. 1), i.e., the elevations upon which the hairs grow.

supercilium
(soo″pәr-sil´e-әm) pl. superci´lia eyebrow (def. 1).

superclass
(soo´pәr-klas″) a taxonomic category sometimes established, subordinate to a phylum and superior to a class.

superego
(soo″pәr-e´go) in psychoanalytic theory, a part of the psyche derived from both the id and the ego, which acts, largely unconsciously, as a monitor over the ego. It is that part of the personality concerned with social standards, ethics, and conscience.

superfamily
(soo´pәr-fam″ĭ-le) a taxonomic category sometimes established, subordinate to an order and superior to a family. any of a group of proteins having similarities such as areas of structural homology and believed to descend from the same ancestral gene, such as the superfamily of immunoglobul...

superfecundation
(soo″pәr-fe″kәn-da´shәn) fertilization of two or more oocytes during the same ovulatory cycle, by separate coital acts.

superfetation
(soo″pәr-fe-ta´shәn) the fertilization of an oocyte and subsequent development of another embryo (fetus) when one is already present in the uterus, yielding fetuses of different ages.

superficial
(soo″pәr-fish´әl) situated on or near the surface.

superficial basal cell carcinoma
a type of basal cell carcinoma usually seen on the trunk as a plaque or plaques that are superficial, slowly spreading, erythematous, and scaly, and have threadlike, raised borders. Called also multicentric or multifocal basal cell carcinoma.

superficial brachial artery
an occasional vessel that arises from high bifurcation of the brachial artery and assumes a more superficial course than usual.

superficial calcaneal bursitis
achillobursitis.

superficial circumflex iliac artery
origin, femoral artery; branches, none; distribution, groin, abdominal wall.

superficial circumflex iliac vein
a vein that follows the path of the superficial circumflex iliac artery and empties into the great saphenous vein.

superficial dorsal veins of penis
veins that collect blood subcutaneously from the penis and drain into the external pudendal vein.

superficial epigastric artery
origin, femoral artery; branches, none; distribution, abdominal wall, groin.

superficial epigastric vein
a vein that follows the superficial epigastric artery and opens into the great saphenous or the femoral vein.

superficial fascia
a fascial sheet lying directly beneath the skin. subcutaneous tissue.

superficial femoral artery
see femoral artery.

superficial inguinal ring
an opening in the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle for the spermatic cord or the round ligament. Called also external inguinal ring.

superficial middle cerebral veins
either of the two veins, one in each hemisphere, that drain the lateral surface of the cerebrum, follow the lateral cerebral fissure, and empty into the cavernous sinus; they are fed by the inferior and superior anastomotic veins.

superficial peroneal nerve
origin, a terminal branch of common peroneal nerve; branches and distribution, descends in front of the fibula, supplies peroneus longus and brevis muscles and, in the lower part of the leg, divides into the muscular branches, and medial and intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerves; modality, general sensory and motor.

superficial punctate keratitis
a type usually seen with epidemic keratoconjunctivitis and characterized by small circular epithelial erosions.

superficial reflex
any withdrawal reflex elicited by noxious or tactile stimulation of the skin, cornea, or mucous membrane, including the corneal, pharyngeal, and cremasteric reflexes.

superficial spreading melanoma
malignant melanoma with a period of radial growth atypical of epidermal melanocytes, which may be followed by invasive growth or may regress; it usually occurs as a small pigmented macule or papule with irregular outline on the lower leg or back.

superficial suture
one that is placed through the superficial fascia only.

superficial temporal artery
origin, external carotid artery; branches, parotid, auricular, and occipital branches, transverse facial, zygomatico-orbital, and middle temporal arteries; distribution, parotid and temporal regions.

superficial temporal veins
veins that drain the lateral part of the scalp in the frontal and parietal regions, the branches forming a single superficial temporal vein in front of the ear, just above the zygoma. This descending vein receives the middle temporal and transverse facial veins and, entering the parotid gland, unites with the maxillary ve...

superficial trigonal muscle
the superficial layer of the trigonal muscles, continuous proximally with the muscles of the ureteral wall.

superficial veins of lower limb
veins that drain the lower limb, found immediately beneath the skin, and interconnecting freely with the deep veins; the principal ones are the great and small saphenous veins.

superficial veins of upper limb
veins that drain the upper limb, found immediately beneath the skin, and interconnecting freely with the deep veins; they include the cephalic, basilic, and median cubital and antebrachial veins, and their tributaries, all of which ultimately drain into the axillary vein.

superficialis
(soo″pәr-fish″e-a´lis) superficial.

superinduce
(soo″pәr-in-dldbomacs´) to bring on in addition to an already existing condition.

superinfection
(soo″pәr-in-fek´shәn) a new infection occurring in a patient having a preexisting infection; for example, bacterial infection may occur in patients with viral respiratory disease, or a chronic hepatitis B carrier may become infected with hepatitis D virus. Superinfection can complicate the course...

superinvolution
(soo″pәr-in″vo-loo´shәn) prolonged involution of the uterus after delivery, to a size much smaller than the normal, occurring in nursing mothers.

superior
(soo-pēr´e-әr) situated above, or directed upward; in official anatomic nomenclature, used in reference to the upper surface of an organ or other structure, or to a structure occupying a higher position.

superior alveolar nerves
a collective name for the superior alveolar branches (anterior, middle, and posterior) arising from the maxillary and infraorbital nerves, innervating the teeth and gums of the upper jaw and the maxillary sinus, and forming the superior dental plexus.

superior ampullary nerve
anterior ampullary nerve.

superior anastomotic vein
a vein that interconnects the superficial middle cerebral vein and the superior sagittal sinus.

superior auricular muscle
origin, galea aponeurotica; insertion, cartilage of ear; innervation, facial nerve; action, raises auricle.

superior basal vein
either of two veins, each draining the lateral and anterior basal segments of the inferior lobe of a lung and emptying into the corresponding common basal vein.

superior bulb of jugular vein
a dilatation at the beginning of the internal jugular vein.

superior cardiac nerve
superior cervical cardiac nerve.

superior carotid triangle
carotid trigone.

superior cerebellar artery
origin,basilar artery; branches, lateral and medial branches; distribution, upper cerebellum, midbrain, pineal body, choroid plexus of third ventricle.

superior cerebellar peduncle
a large bundle of projection fibers arising chiefly in the dentate nucleus of each cerebellar hemisphere and ascending to decussate in the mesencephalon; its fibers end mostly in the red nucleus and the thalamus. Spinocerebellar fibers to the paleocerebellum lie adjacent to each peduncle. Formerly called rostral cerebellar peduncle.

superior cerebellar veins
veins that drain the superior surfaces of the cerebellar hemisphere and empty into the straight sinus or great cerebral vein, or into the transverse and superior petrosal sinuses.

superior cerebral veins
the 8 to 12 superficial cerebral veins (prefrontal, frontal, parietal, and occipital) that drain the superior, lateral, and medial surfaces of the cerebrum toward the longitudinal cerebral fissure, where they open into the superior sagittal sinus.

superior cervical cardiac nerve
origin, superior cervical ganglion; distribution, heart; modality, sympathetic (accelerator).

superior choroid vein
the vein that runs along the whole length of the choroid plexus, draining it and the hippocampus, fornix, and corpus callosum; it unites with the superior thalamostriate vein to form the internal cerebral vein.

superior cluneal nerves
general sensory nerve branches of the posterior branches of the upper lumbar nerves, innervating the skin of the upper part of the buttocks.

superior duodenal recess
a peritoneal pocket behind the superior duodenal fold.

superior epigastric artery
origin, internal thoracic artery; branches, none; distribution, abdominal wall, diaphragm.

superior epigastric veins
the accompanying veins of the superior epigastric artery, which open into the internal thoracic vein.

superior ganglion of vagus nerve
the upper of two ganglia of the vagus nerve just as it passes through the jugular foramen. Called also jugular ganglion of vagus nerve.

superior gemellus muscle
origin, spine of ischium; insertion, greater trochanter of femur; innervation, nerve to internal obturator muscle; action, rotates thigh laterally.

superior gluteal artery
origin, internal iliac artery; branches, superficial and deep branches; distribution, buttocks.

superior gluteal nerve
origin, sacral plexus (L4–S1); distribution, gluteus medius and minimus muscles, tensor fasciae latae muscle, and hip joint; modality, motor and general sensory.

superior gluteal veins
accompanying veins of the superior gluteal artery; they drain the muscles of the buttock, pass through the greater sciatic foramen, and empty into the internal iliac vein.

superior hypophysial artery
a small branch from the cerebral part of the internal carotid artery that supplies the pituitary gland.

superior labial artery
origin, facial artery; branches, septal and alar; distribution, upper lip, nose.

superior labial vein
a vein that drains blood from the region of the upper lip into the facial vein.

superior laryngeal artery
origin, superior thyroid artery; branches, none; distribution, larynx.

superior laryngeal nerve
origin, inferior ganglion of vagus nerve; branches, external, internal, and communicating branches; distribution, inferior constrictor of pharynx and cricothyroid muscles, and mucosa of epiglottis, base of tongue, and larynx; modality, motor, general sensory, visceral afferent, and parasympathetic.

superior laryngeal vein
a vein that drains blood from the larynx into the superior thyroid vein.

superior lingular artery
a branch of the lingular artery, supplying the superior lingular segment of the superior lobe of the left lung.

superior lobar arteries
the branches of each pulmonary artery that supply the superior lobe of the corresponding lung, consisting of the apical, anterior, and posterior segmental arteries.

superior mesenteric artery
origin, abdominal aorta; branches, inferior pancreaticoduodenal, jejunal, ileal, ileocolic, right colic, and middle colic arteries; distribution, small intestine, proximal half of colon.

superior mesenteric artery syndrome
compression of the third, or transverse, portion of the duodenum against the aorta by the superior mesenteric artery, resulting in complete or partial obstruction that may be chronic, intermittent, or acute; symptoms range from mild to severe, including nausea and vomiting, pain, and extreme distention of the stomach and duoden...

superior mesenteric vein
a vein that follows the path of the superior mesenteric artery and joins with the splenic vein to form the hepatic portal vein.

superior nasal concha
the upper of two bony plates projecting from the inner wall of the ethmoidal labyrinth and forming the upper boundary of the superior meatus of the nose.

superior nasal meatus
the narrow cavity below the superior nasal concha, with which the posterior ethmoidal cells communicate.

superior oblique muscle of eyeball
origin, lesser wing of sphenoid above optic canal; insertion, sclera; innervation, trochlear nerve; action, rotates eyeball downward and outward.

superior ophthalmic vein
a vein that begins at the inner corner of the eye, where it communicates with the frontal, supraorbital, and angular veins; it follows the path of the ophthalmic artery, and may be joined by the inferior ophthalmic vein at the superior orbital fissure before opening into the cavernous sinus.

superior orbital fissure syndrome
deep orbital and unilateral frontal headache with progressive sixth, third, and fourth cranial nerve palsies, with oculomotor paralysis, diminution of the field of vision, and other ocular changes; it occurs either as a result of a meningioma of the sphenoid bone that compresses nearby nerves or as an extension of infecti...

superior palpebral veins
venous branches that drain the blood from the upper eyelid to the angular vein.

superior petrosal sinus
a venous sinus of the dura mater, arising from the cavernous sinus and draining into the transverse sinus of the dura mater.

superior phrenic arteries
origin, thoracic aorta; branches, none; distribution, upper surface of vertebral portion of diaphragm.

superior phrenic veins
small veins on the superior surface of the diaphragm that drain into the azygos and hemiazygos veins.

superior rectal artery
origin, inferior mesenteric artery; branches, none; distribution, rectum.

superior rectal vein
the vein that drains the upper part of the rectal plexus into the inferior mesenteric vein and thus establishes connection between the portal system and the systemic circulation.

superior rectus muscle of eyeball
origin, common tendinous ring; insertion, upper aspect of sclera; innervation, oculomotor nerve; action, rotates eyeball upward and medially.

superior sagittal sinus
a venous sinus of the dura mater that ends in the confluence of sinuses.

superior segmental vein
either of two veins, each draining the superior segment of the inferior lobe of a lung and emptying into the corresponding inferior pulmonary vein.

superior sulcus tumor
pulmonary sulcus tumor.

superior sulcus tumor syndrome
Pancoast syndrome (def. 1).