| Sertoli cell | <pathology> Tall columnar cells found in the mammalian testis closely associated with developing spermatocytes and spermatids. Probably provide appropriate microenvironment for sperm differentiation and phagocytose degenerate sperm. (18 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| sertoli cell tumour | A rare benign tumour of the testis that histologically resembles the foetal testis. There are three varieties: diffuse stromal, mixed (stromal and epithelial), and tubular (epithelial). Sertoli cells in the epithelial elements may produce oestrogen and cause feminization. (12 Dec 1998) |
| sertoli cells | Elongated cells in the tubules of the testis to which the spermatids become attached. They provide support, protection, and, apparently, nutrition until the spermatids become transformed into mature spermatozoa. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Sertoli's cells | Elongated cell's in the seminiferous tubules to which spermatids are attached during spermiogenesis; they secrete androgen-binding protein and establish the blood-testis barrier by forming tight junctions with adjacent Sertoli's cell's. Synonym: nurse cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Sertoli's columns | See: Sertoli's cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Sertoli-cell-only syndrome | <syndrome> The absence from the seminiferous tubules of the testes of germinal epithelium, Sertoli cells alone being present; there is sterility due to azoospermia but no other sexual abnormality, Leydig cells are normal, and the output of gonadotrophins in the urine is increased; probably represents one form of seminiferous tubule dysgenesis. Synonym: Del Castillo syndrome. (05 Mar 2000) |
| sertoli-leydig cell tumour | An ovarian tumour usually of low-grade malignancy occurring most frequently in the third and fourth decades, with 75% seen in women under 40. It is rare, representing less than .02% of ovarian cancers. The tumour typically produces androgens with virilization being noted in 70-85% of the patients. (holland et al., cancer medicine, 3d ed, p1684) (12 Dec 1998) |
| sertraline | An antidepressant which exhibits selectivity for the blockade of serotonin reuptake; similar to fluoxetine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| sertularia | <zoology> A genus of delicate branching hydroids having small sessile hydrothecae along the sides of the branches. Origin: NL, dim. Fr. L. Serta a garland. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| sertularian | <zoology> Any species of Sertularia, or of Sertularidae, a family of hydroids having branched chitinous stems and simple sessile hydrothecae. Also used adjectively. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| serum | <haematology> The clear portion of any body fluid, the clear fluid moistening serous membranes. 2. Blood serum, the clear liquid that separates from blood on clotting. 3. Immune serum, blood serum from an immunised animal used for passive immunisation, an antiserum, antitoxin or antivenin. (18 Nov 1997) |
| serum accelerator | <chemical> Heat- and storage-stable plasma protein that is activated by tissue thromboplastin to form factor viia in the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. The activated form then catalyses the activation of factor x to factor xa. Chemical name: Blood-coagulation factor VII (12 Dec 1998) |
| serum accelerator globulin | A substance in serum that accelerates the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin in the presence of thromboplastin and calcium; produced by the action of traces of thrombin upon plasma accelerator globulin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| serum accident | Anaphylactic shock resulting from injection of foreign serum for therapeutic purposes. See: serum sickness. (05 Mar 2000) |
| serum agar | An enriched medium for cultivation of fastidious organisms; prepared by adding sterile serum to melted agar. (05 Mar 2000) |