Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Glossary
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solute a chemical in a solution
solutions uniform mixtures of two or more
substances, which may be solids, liquids, gases, or a
combination of these
solvent a liquid that is used to dissolve a chemical in
a solution
sonographers healthcare professionals who create
medical images or treat diseases through the use of
high-frequency sound waves
source-oriented medical record (SOMR) a record
organized under a system in which information in
a medical record is categorized behind tabs such as
imaging, laboratory, and pharmacy
sperm male gametes
sphygmomanometer a medical instrument that
measures blood pressure and which may be mercury,
aneroid, or digital
spinal cavity the part of the dorsal cavity that
contains the spinal cord
spinal nerves 31 pairs of nerves that connect the
spinal cord to the rest of the body
spleen a lymphatic organ located just below the
diaphragm that makes lymphocytes, fi lters the
blood, and removes old red blood cells
spongy bone a lighter and less dense structure than
compact bone
stamina endurance
standard anatomical position (SAP) the agreed-
upon reference for body position when studying
anatomy; standing erect on two legs, facing
frontward, with the arms at the sides and palms
facing forward
standard of care the level of service that a healthcare
professional is expected to provide to a patient
based on that professional’s position and the
patient’s condition
standard operating procedures (SOPs) established
methods that describe the exact steps to be followed
when completing a laboratory task
standard precautions steps that a healthcare worker
takes with all patients to prevent the spread of infection
standards of care best practice guidelines for
diagnostic and treatment processes a clinician
should follow for a certain type of patient, illness, or
clinical circumstance
statistical data numerical information gathered
through research that is used to draw conclusions
about research fi ndings
statistics term for the science that includes the
collection, organization, and interpretation of
numerical data
stem cell a cell that can duplicate itself many times
and has the ability to develop into many different
types of cells
stent a tubular support that is used to keep arteries,
blood vessels, canals, or ducts open to aid healing
or prevent an obstruction
stereotype the assumption that everyone in a
particular group is the same
sterile technique the practice of using sterilization
to prevent the introduction of pathogens during
invasive procedures
sterilize to make something free from bacteria or
other microorganisms
stethoscope a medical instrument that amplifi es
sounds within the body
stomach a reservoir in which food is broken down
before it enters the small intestine
stool waste material released during a bowel
movement
stress the body’s attempt to adjust to a change
striated arranged in a striped pattern
stroke a medical emergency in which blood fl ow to a
part of the brain is cut off
study limitations restrictions or circumstances
involved in a study that might mean its results
cannot be generalized to a larger population
subcutaneous fat fat below the skin that provides
padding to absorb shock, holds in body heat, and
stores energy
subjective observation an indication of a health
condition that is experienced by the patient; also
called a symptom
sudoriferous glands glands in the dermis that
secrete sweat
suffi x a word part that appears at the end of a word
superfi cial a directional term that refers to the
outside surface of the body
superior a directional term that means above or
higher up on the body
support services the career pathway that focuses on
creating a therapeutic environment for providing
patient care
susceptible host anyone who can contract a disease
sutured term that describes the way cranial bones
grow together to form a strong and immovable
joint
symptom an indication of a disease or disorder
experienced by the patient, such as pain
synapse a tiny gap between an axon and a receptor
cell
synergist functional group of muscles that work
together to provide body movement
system an organized structure composed of many
parts that work together and depend on each other
to carry out a set of functions
systemic loop the fl ow of blood from the heart to the
body systems and back to drop off nutrients and
pick up waste
T
table a chart that arranges data in rows or columns
tact the ability to communicate diffi cult or
embarrassing information without giving offense
tare weight the weight of an empty container
target audience a specifi c group of people for whom
a technical document is written