Amniotic sac Health Dictionary

The clear ?uid contained within the AMNION that surrounds the FETUS in the womb and protects it from external pressure. The ?uid, comprising mainly water, is produced by the amnion and is regularly circulated, being swallowed by the fetus and excreted through the kidneys back into the amniotic sac. By the 35th week of pregnancy there is about 1 litre of ?uid, but this falls to 0.5 litres at term. The amniotic sac normally ruptures in early labour, releasing the ?uid or ‘waters’.... amniotic fluid

These are five pairs of CNS nerves that exit through the sacral foramen and sacral hiatus, and bring information in and out of the spinal cord. Much of their function relates to the sciatic nerve, and they bring information in from the skin sensory zones (dermatomes) of the heel, back of the legs, buttocks, and the pelvic floor.... sacral nerves

The portion of the SPINAL COLUMN near its lower end. The sacrum consists of ?ve vertebrae fused together to form a broad triangular bone which lies between the two haunch-bones and forms the back wall of the pelvis.... sacrum

A sweetening agent that is 400 times as sweet as cane sugar, but with no energy content. Apart from its rather bitter aftertaste, it has practically no e?ect on the tissues, and escapes from the body unchanged. Destroyed by heat, saccharine is not used in cooking, but is an important component of all diabetic and low-calorie diets.... saccharine

Another name for YEAST.... saccharomyces

The ?ve fused vertebrae that link the thoracic spine and the coccyx and form the sacrum (see SPINAL COLUMN).... sacral vertebrae

One of a pair of joints between each side of the SACRUM and each ILIUM. Strong ligaments between the ilium and the sacrum stabilise the joint, permitting little movement. Childbirth or strenuous sporting activities may strain the joint, causing pain in the lower part of the back and buttocks. Such strains may take a long time to mend; PHYSIOTHERAPY is the treatment. The joint(s) may become in?amed (see SACROILEITIS).... sacroiliac joint

An inherited recessive condition in which there is abnormal accumulation of lipids (see LIPID) in the BRAIN. The result is blindness, mental retardation and death in early childhood. The disease can usually be prevented by genetic counselling in those communities in which the disease is known to occur.... tay sachs disease

Fusion of the 5th (lowest) lumbar vertebra with the upper sacrum.

It may be present at birth, in which there are usually no symptoms.

Surgery may be performed to treat a disc prolapse or spondylolisthesis.

(See also spinal fusion.)... sacralization

Inflammation of a sacroiliac joint. Causes include ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Reiter’s syndrome or arthritis associated with psoriasis. The main symptom is pain in the lower back, buttocks, groin, and back of the thigh. Treatment is with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.... sacroiliitis

Roxb.

Synonym: S. sara Roxb. S. bengalense Retz. Erianthus munja Jesw.

Family: Gramineae; Poaceae.

Habitat: Throughout the plains and low hills of India.

Ayurvedic: Munja, Bhadramuja, Vaana, Shara, Sara, Raamshara.

Siddha/Tamil: Munjipul, Munjap- pullu.

Folk: Sarpata.

Action: Refrigerant. Useful in burning sensation, thirst, dyscrasia, erysipelas and urinary complaints.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends the use of the root in dysuria, giddiness and vertigo.

The stem is a good source of furfural (yield 5.67%, dry basis). It yields 19.5% (on dry weight) of reducing sugars when digested with sulphuric acid; glucose, xylose, galactose and rhamnose have been identified in the hydrolysate which contains 34.5% fermentable sugars. (It can be used as a potential source of alcohol.)

In Kerala, Saccharum arundinaceum Retz. is used as Shara for dysuria, diseases due to vitiated blood, erysipelas, leucorrhoea and piles. The grass is known as Raamshara in North India. It can also be used for the production of furfural (yield 5.1% dry basis) and yields 24.1% of reducing sugars when digested with sulphuric acid. The hy- drolysate contains 65% of fermentable sugars, viz. glucose, xylose, galactose and rhamnose.

Dosage: Root—20-50 g for decoction; 6-10 g powder. (API, Vol. III.)... saccharum munja

Linn.

Family: Gramineae; Poaceae.

Habitat: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Punjab.

English: Sugarcane, Noble Cane.

Ayurvedic: Ikshu, Dirgha-chhada, Bhuurirasa, Morata, Asipatra, Madhutrna, Gudamuula, Trnarasa.

Unani: Gannaa, Naishakar.

Siddha/Tamil: Karumbu, Nanal.

Action: Cane Juice—restorative, cooling, laxative, demulcent, diuretic, antiseptic. Used in general debility, haemophilic conditions, jaundice and urinary diseases.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia ofIn- dia recommends the juice of the stem in haemorrhagic diseases and anuria; and the root in dysuria.

Sugarcane juice contains surcose (70-80% of soluble solids in the juice), glucose and fructose. Non-sugar constituents present in the cane juice are carbohydrates other than sugars. As- paragine and glutamine are prominent amino acids in the juice. Other amino acids include alanine, gamma- amino butyric acid, aspartic and glutamic acids, glycine, leucine, lysine, serine and tyrosine. The presence of phenylalanine, histidine, valine, proline, threonine and arginine, pipecolic acid, methionine and tryptophan has also been reported.

Aconitic acid constitutes about three-fourths of the total carboxylic acid present in the juice.

Vitamins present in the juice are: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, and vitamin D; enzymes include diastase, invertase, lac- tase, peroxidase, tyrosinase.

Phenols in the cane juice are mainly polyphenols from tannin and antho- cyanin from the rind.

Cane juice contains glycolic acid which improves skin complexion as it has antiwrinkle effect, prevents scaly growth and increases natural collagen and elastin in the skin.

Enzymes present in the seeds include large quantities of diastase and invertase.

An ester, vanilloyl-l-O-beta-D-glu- coside, has been isolated from the bagasse.

The leaves contain alpha-amylase and glutathione-S-transferase.

Dosage: Stem—200-400 ml juice; rootstock—15-30 g for decoction. (API, Vol. IV.)... saccharum officinarum

(Greek) Form of Alexandra, meaning “helper and defender of mankind” Sachenka, Sachka, Sache, Sachia, Sachah, Sachea... sacha

(Hindi) Having consciousness Sachett, Sachette... sachet

(Japanese) Child of bliss; one who is blessed

Sachie, Sachy, Sachey, Sachee, Sachiko, Saatchi, Sachea... sachi

(See SACROILIAC JOINT.) In?ammation of one or both sacroiliac joints, which lie between the sacrum and the iliac bones. The condition may be the result of RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, ankylosing spondylitis (see under SPINE AND SPINAL CORD, DISEASES AND INJURIES OF), REITER’S SYNDROME, or the arthritis that occurs with PSORIASIS or infection. Sacroileitis causes pain in the lower back, buttocks, thighs, and groin. Sti?ness may occur with ankylosing spondylitis. NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDS) relieve the symptoms. If the cause is infection, antibiotics should be used.... sacroileitis

Linn.

Family: Gramineae; Poaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India. English: Thatch Grass.

Ayurvedic: Kaasha, Kandekshu, Shvetachaamara.

Siddha/Tamil: Naanal, Pai Karumbu.

Action: Plant—cooling, astringent, diuretic, galactagogue. Used in the treatment of burning sensation, dysuria, dyscrasia, kidney and bladder stones, dysentery, bleeding piles. Root—diuretic, galactagogue.

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends the root in calculus, dy- suria and haemorrhagic diseases.

Dosage: Root—3-6 g powder. (API, Vol. III.)

The Five-Grassroots (Tripanchmuu- la) of Ayurvedic medicine contain extracts of S. munja, S. officinarum and S. spontaneum. The compound is prescribed as a diuretic.... saccharum spontaneum

Lindl.

Family: Orchidace.

Habitat: The outer range of Himalayas from Uttar Pradesh eastwards to Sikkim and Assam.

Ayurvedic: Naakuli (substitute), Vrkshaadani (var.).

Folk: Raasanaa, Naakuli, Gandha- lataa.

Action: Roots—used for rheumatism.

An alkaloid and a bitter resin has been reported in the plant.

Roots are used as a substitute for Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus).... saccolabium papillosum

Edgew.

Habitat: Near snow line at elevations of 4,000 m and above in the Himalayas.

English: Yogiraj Plant, Sacred Saussurea.

Folk: Jogi-paadshaah (Kashmir), Ghuggi (Garhwal).

Action: Plant—used for nervous debility. Root—used for gynaecological disorders.... saussurea sacra

A serious inherited metabolic disorder (see metabolism, inborn errors of) that causes premature death. The cause is deficiency of the enzyme hexosaminidase A, which results in a buildup in the brain of a harmful substance. Symptoms usually appear after age 6 months and include blindness, paralysis, and seizures leading to death. Diagnosis is made by enzyme analysis of white blood cells. It is now largely prevented by genetic.... tay–sachs disease

the fluid-filled cavity between the embryo and the *amnion. It forms initially within the inner cell mass of the *blastocyst and later expands over the back of the embryo, eventually enclosing it completely. See also amniotic fluid.... amniotic cavity

a condition in which amniotic fluid enters the maternal circulation causing a complex cascade similar to that seen in anaphylactic and septic *shock. It is a rare event (1 in 50,000–100,000 deliveries), with a 60–80% maternal mortality. The sudden onset of cardiopulmonary collapse, together with coma or seizures, in labour or shortly after delivery, should prompt the diagnosis. Most of the women who survive have permanent neurological damage.... amniotic fluid embolism

n. (pl. saccades) a rapid movement of the eye used to shift gaze from one object to another. It can be done voluntarily or occurs as a reflex triggered by a visual stimulus in the peripheral visual field.... saccade

(saccharo-) combining form denoting sugar.... sacchar

n. a carbohydrate. See also disaccharide; monosaccharide; polysaccharide.... saccharide

(sacculus) n. the smaller of the two membranous sacs within the vestibule of the ear: it forms part of the membranous *labyrinth. It is filled with fluid (endolymph) and contains a *macula. This responds to gravity and relays information to the brain about the position of the head.... saccule

n. a sac or pouch. The saccus endolymphaticus is the small sac connected to the saccule and utricle of the inner ear by the *endolymphatic duct.... saccus

(caudal regression syndrome) a severe neural tube defect specific to diabetic pregnancies. The risk may be correlated with the *glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) level.... sacral agenesis

combining form denoting the sacrum. Examples: sacrococcygeal (relating to the sacrum and coccyx); sacrodynia (pain in); sacroiliac (relating to the sacrum and ilium).... sacro

n. surgical treatment of *vault prolapse, which can be an abdominal or laparoscopic procedure. It involves suspending the prolapsed vaginal vault to the sacral promontory using a synthetic mesh or biological material; however, it is associated with a significant risk of haemorrhage and mesh erosion. Posterior intravaginal slingplasty (or infracoccygeal sacropexy) is a more recent technique in which a neo-uterosacral ligament (which supports the vagina) is formed. This helps to relocate the vaginal apex and restore the normal vaginal axis. The procedure appears to have similar efficacy to those currently in use but with minimal surgical morbidity.... sacrocolpopexy

n. surgery using minimally invasive techniques and liquid cement to stabilize fragile sacral fractures, which previously would have been treated with rest and analgesia.... sacroplasty

a surgical technique to correct vaginal *vault prolapse after hysterectomy. A stitch is made from the apex of the vagina to the sacrospinous ligament (which supports the vagina) approximately 2 cm medial to the ischial spine. The main complication is bleeding and formation of a haematoma.... sacrospinous ligament fixation