| skegger | <zoology> The parr. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| skein | 1. A quantity of yarn, thread, or the like, put up together, after it is taken from the reel, usually tied in a sort of knot. A skein of cotton yarn is formed by eighty turns of the thread round a fifty-four inch reel. 2. A metallic strengthening band or thimble on the wooden arm of an axle. Origin: OE. Skeyne, OF. Escaigne, F. Ecagne, probably of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. Sgainne, Gael. Sgeinnidh thread, small twine; or perhaps the English word is immediately from Celtic. <zoology> A flight of wild fowl (wild geese or the like). Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| skein cell | <haematology> Immature red blood cells normally restricted to the bone marrow and present in the blood stream in very low numbers (0.2-2%). An increase in numbers indicates increased proliferation in the bone marrow, for example following chemotherapy. (09 Oct 1997) |
| skeletal | <anatomy> Pertaining to the skeleton. (18 Nov 1997) |
| skeletal dysplasia | One of a large contingent of genetic diseases in which the bony skeleton is abnormally formed during development. For example, achondroplasia (achondroplastic dwarfism). (12 Dec 1998) |
| skeletal extension | Traction pull on a bone structure mediated through pin or wire inserted into the bone to reduce a fracture of long bones. Synonym: skeletal extension. (05 Mar 2000) |
| skeletal muscle | <anatomy, pathology> A rather non-specific term usually applied to the striated muscle of vertebrates that is under voluntary control. The muscle fibres are syncytial and contain myofibrils, tandem arrays of sarcomeres. (18 Nov 1997) |
| skeletal muscle fibres | Multinucleated contractile cells varying from less than 10 to 100 um in diameter and from less than 1 mm to several centimeters in length; the fibre consists of sarcoplasm and cross-striated myofibrils, which in turn consist of myofilaments; human skeletal muscles are a mixture of red, white, and intermediate type fibre's. (05 Mar 2000) |
| skeletal muscle tissue | <anatomy, pathology> A rather non-specific term usually applied to the striated muscle of vertebrates that is under voluntary control. The muscle fibres are syncytial and contain myofibrils, tandem arrays of sarcomeres. (18 Nov 1997) |
| skeletal muscle ventricle | Autologous skeletal muscle that is wrapped around the heart and electrically stimulated in order to provide mechanical heart assistance. The latissimus dorsi muscle is commonly used to form this ventricle that functions to independently augment cardiac performance by pumping in series with the heart. (12 Dec 1998) |
| skeletal survey | A radiographic examination of all or selected parts of the skeleton, as for occult fractures, metastases, etc. (05 Mar 2000) |
| skeletal system | The bones and cartilages of the body. Synonym: systema skeletale. (05 Mar 2000) |
| skeletal traction | Traction pull on a bone structure mediated through pin or wire inserted into the bone to reduce a fracture of long bones. Synonym: skeletal extension. (05 Mar 2000) |
| skeletology | <study> That part of anatomy which treats of the skeleton; also, a treatise on the skeleton. Origin: Skeleton. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| skeleton | <anatomy> A solid or fluid system which allows muscles to relax after contracting (in general, because there is an opposing muscle which pulls the skeletal part in the opposite direction when it contracts). The skeletal system may also be a support structure or a form of protection. Types of skeletons include hydroskeletons and exoskeletons. (09 Oct 1997) |