Category: S

Slimy floating islands of bacteria or impurities on the surface of a culture; an interrupted pellicle of bacterial growth.  

Position in which the head is low and the body is on an inclined plane.  

A many-tailed binder or bandage, applied around the abdomen so that the ends overlap each other as if they were roof shingles. The binder holds dressings in place and supports abdominal muscles postoperatively.  

To change the form or shape of a material, including a part of the body. In health care the term is applied to the contouring of both hard and soft tissues, e.g., using by exercise or cosmetic surgery.  

Washing the hands, fingernails, and forearms, including the elbows, prior to donning appropriate gowns and gloves to participate in surgery or other sterile procedures. The precise procedure to follow usually is posted in a special area where the washing is done. It typically entails scrubbing with germicidal soap and water, and using a nail brush…

A tube, usually made of synthetic material, used to connect an artery to a vein. It is used in patients requiring frequent venipuncture as in hemodialysis. The shunts may develop complications such as infection, thrombosis, and release of septic emboli.  

Implanted; permanently fastened to tissue. Said, for example, of catheter leads used for permanent or semipermanent cardiac pacemaking.  

To determine the presence of a disease or its characteristics in a broad community or a selected group. In the realm of medicine, any examination or methodology employed to identify individuals with a heightened probability of possessing a particular ailment, or to detect the presence of specific substances within bodily fluids or tissues. Something that…

Removal of cells, as from diseased tissue, with an edged instrument for cytologic examination.  

In radiology, an x-ray film, especially of the abdomen, for evaluating the condition of the body prior to beginning an invasive or potentially hazardous examination.