Symphysiotomy
A surgical procedure that has been used to effect an immediate dramatic increase in the size of the pelvic outlet to permit delivery of a baby. The cartilage of the area where the pubic bones come together (symphysis pubis) is surgically divided.
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- Symphysis pubis
The area in the front of the pelvis where the pubic bones meet.
- Symptom
Any subjective evidence of disease. In contrast, a sign is objective. Blood coming out a nostril is a sign; it is apparent to the patient, physician, and others. Anxiety, low back pain, and fatigue are all symptoms; only the patient can perceive them.
- Symptomatic
1 With symptoms, as a symptomatic infection. 2 Characteristic of an illness or other medical condition. 3 Directed at the symptoms as symptomatic treatment.
- Symptomatic treatment
Therapy that eases the symptoms without addressing the basic cause of the disease. For example, symptomatic treatment of advanced lung cancer that has spread (metastasized) beyond the lung is designed to decrease the pain and other symptoms but not to eradicate the disease. Symptomatic treatment is also called palliative treatment.
- Symptoms, withdrawal
Abnormal physical or psychological features that follow the abrupt discontinuation of a drug that has the capability of producing physical dependence. Common withdrawal symptoms include sweating, tremor, vomiting, anxiety, insomnia, and muscle pain.