General Medical Terms

A depression of the bone at the base of the skull where the pituitary gland is located.

A substance that has been studied in the treatment of cancer.

The fluid that is released through the penis during orgasm.

Fluid from the prostate and other sex glands that helps transport sperm out of the man's body during orgasm.

In botany, a plant that gets food from a host but also contains chlorophyll and is capable of photosynthesis.

A highly sensitive test produces few false negatives, but sensitivity alone does not describe how often a positive result is truly accurate.

Sensory nerves and pathways carry information about touch, pain, temperature, and position from the body to the brain for processing.

The use of dyes and radioactive substances to identify the first lymph node to which cancer is likely to spread from the primary tumor.

A substance that is being studied as a treatment for cancer.

The presence of bacteria or their toxins in the blood or tissues.

Serosa is the smooth outer covering of many internal organs, formed by the same tissue that lines the chest and abdominal cavities.

Serous describes thin, watery fluid or the membranes that produce it, distinguishing it from thicker mucous secretions elsewhere in the body.

A serous membrane lines internal body cavities and covers the organs within them, secreting fluid that reduces friction during movement.

Serum is the clear fluid left after blood clots, containing proteins, hormones, and other dissolved substances but no cells or clotting factors.

A severe form of myelosuppression.

Sex drive is the everyday term for libido, a person's level of motivation or desire for sexual activity.

Sexual drive describes a person's motivation or desire for sexual activity, which can vary widely and change over time.

Illness, surgery, medication and aging all reach this part of life, which is why care teams raise it alongside other quality of life concerns.

A substance that is being studied in the prevention of cancer.

A monoclonal antibody that binds to cells that have the CD30 antigen on their surface, including Hodgkin disease cells and cells from anaplastic large cell lymphoma, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.