RESOURCES: Glossary
Definitions: S
Seating System: This is the combination of a cushion and backrest in a wheelchair that is necessary to achieve normal postural alignment in sitting.
Sensory-Motor Feedback System: This is when movement occurs in response to sensory stimuli from muscles, tendons and joint receptors. A lesion to the central nervous system results in an impaired sensory-motor feedback system.
Scoliosis: This describes abnormal lateral curvature of the vertebral column, commonly seen through the thoracic spine in individuals who have abnormal trunk or pelvic muscle tone.
Scotoma: Area of blindness of varying size anywhere within the visual fields.
Secondary Condition: People with disabling conditions are often at risk of developing secondary conditions that can result in further deterioration in health status, functional capacity, and quality of life. Secondary conditions are causally related to a primary disabling condition and include, among others, contractures, physical deconditioning, mental depression, cardiopulmonary conditions and decubitus ulcers.
Seizure: An uncontrolled discharge of the nerve cells which may spread to other cells nearby or throughout the entire brain. It usually lasts only a few minutes. It may be associated with loss of consciousness ,loss of bowel and bladder control and tremors. May also cause aggression or other behavioral changes.
Selective Attention: Ability to focus on the most important aspect of a situation without becoming distracted.
Sensorimotor: Refers to all aspects of movement and sensation and the interaction of the two.
Sequencing: Reading, listening, expressing thoughts, describing events or contracting muscles in an orderly and meaningful manner.
Shunt: A surgically placed tube to redirect excessive fluid in the brain in to the abdominal cavity or large veins of the neck.
Skeletal Level: This is the level at which, by radiographic examination, the greater vertebral damage is found.
Somatic Nervous System: The somatic nervous system is mainly concerned with the reception of stimuli originating in the skin, muscles, bones, joints and special sense organs and with transmission of stimuli to the voluntary muscles.
Somatosensory: Sensory activity having its origin elsewhere than in the special sense organs (such as eyes and ears) and conveying information to the brain about the state of the body proper and its immediate environment.
Spasticity: This is due to a loss of inhibitory or modulatory control. It is characterized by an involuntary increase in muscle tone and thus a resistance to passive range of motion.
Status Epilepticus: Continuous seizures; may produce permanent brain damage.
Subdural: This is the space below the dura, a protective layer covering the brain and spinal cord.
Supine: Lying on one's back.
Definitions: T
Thrombus: Blood clot.
Tonus: State of variable activity and/or readiness within a muscle which is adaptable to proprioceptive control.
Tracheostomy: Placement of a tube into the lung cavity through a temporary surgical opening in the trachea.
Tremor, Intention: Rhythmical movements of a body part that become intensified the harder one tries to control them.
Tremor, Resting: Rhythmical movements present at rest and may be diminished during voluntary movement.