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Superior vena cava
Superior vena cava The large vein that returns blood to the heart from the head and arms.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Vein
A blood vessel that carries blood from the body back into the heart.
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.
Heart
The hollow, muscular organ responsible for pumping blood through the circulatory system.
Arms
An appendage in anatomy and in clinical trials. See: Arm.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Superantigen
An antigen that interacts with the T cell receptor in a domain outside of the antigen recognition site. This type of interaction induces the activation of larger numbers of T cells compared to antigens that are presented in the antigen recognition site.
Superego
In psychoanalytic theory, that part of the personality structure associated with ethics, standards, and self-criticism. It is formed by identification with important and esteemed persons in early life, particularly parents. The supposed or actual wishes of these significant persons are taken over as part of the child's own standards to help form the conscience.
Superficial Thrombophlebitis
A clot in a superficial vein, just under the skin.
Superinfection
Sudden growth of a different type of bacteria than the type originally diagnosed and treated. This is a common cause of treatment failure because the new type of bacteria is often resistant to first-line antibiotics.
Superior
The anatomical term for "above". i.e. the head is superior to the shoulder. Typically used in humans only. See Cranial/Caudal/Inferior.
Superior colliculus
A nucleus in the midbrain that coordinate visual, somatic and auditory information adjusting movements of the head and eyes towards a stimulus. contains four types of maps, a visual map, a map of the body surface, a map for sound in space and a motor map. Receives inputs from the retina (via the optic tract), the visual cortex, the somatosensory system and auditory systems. Mediates saccadic eye movements. Is the source of two major descending tracts, the tectospinal tract and the tectopontine tract in addition to regions of the brain stem controlling eye movements.
Superior temporal polysensory area (STP)
Area of monkey cortex. Virtually all cells respond to visual stimuli but some also activated by somatosensory and auditory input. Large receptive fields covering most of the visual field with no visuotopic order. Show radial or opponent direction selectivity. Some cells have fields responding to motion either towards the area centralis or away from it. Others show selective responses for object moving in depth, producing either looming or contracting pattern of motion in the field. Seem to be sensitive to information about peripheral optic flow.
Superiority trial
A trial with the primary objective of showing that the response to the product is superior to a comparative agent (active or placebo control).
Supernumerary tooth
Extra tooth.
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Stress fractures
A bone injury caused by overuse.
Stress incontinence
Involuntary leaking of urine during activities that increase pressure inside the abdomen, such as coughing, sneezing, or jogging.
Stress ulcer
An upper GI ulcer from physical injury such as surgery, major burns, or critical head injury.
Stricture
The abnormal narrowing of a body opening. Also called stenosis. See also esophageal stricture and pyloric stenosis.
Sudden death
Death that occurs unexpectedly or immediately after onset of symptoms.
Superior vena cava
Systemic
Disease or symptoms that affect many different parts of the body.
Systolic blood pressure
The highest blood pressure measured in the arteries.
Syncope
Light-headedness or fainting caused by insufficient blood supply to the brain.
Skin prick test
Skin prick tests are used to diagnose allergies. Pricking gently through a drop of allergen extract placed on the surface of the arm may result after 10-15 minutes in the appearance of a small, itchy swelling and a reddening of the skin. This indicates an allergy.
Specific allergy vaccination
Specific allergy vaccination is also called specific immunotherapy, hyposensitisation or allergy shot. It is a vaccination programme that affects the natural course of an allergic disease, not only its symptoms. When the patient is given increasing doses of the allergen to which he or she is allergic, the immune system becomes less sensitive and the patient no longer reacts. Two different types of vaccine exist: a depot (slow-release) preparation and an aqueous solution.
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