Medical dictionary

What is sperm DNA fragmentation?Sperm DNA fragmentation, or sperm fragmentation, refers to lesions, damage or breaks in the genetic material of the sperm, and is one of the major causes of male infertility. The causes of this DNA fragmentation may be intrinsic, due to imperfect sperm maturation or genetic alterations, or external due to damage induced by chemotherapy, acute and chronic inflammator

What is spermiogenesis? Spermiogenesis is the last phase in the formation of spermatozoa (the male sex cells that carry a man's genetic material). During this stage of maturation, the spermatid cells see an increase in the size of the tail and a decrease in the spermatozoa head. This series of complex transformations result in the final constitution of the spermatozoa, the male cell

What is sperm retrieval? Sperm retrieval is the surgical extraction of sperm from the testicles in the case that a has obstructive azoospermia (a blockage is preventing healthy sperm from being ejaculated) nonobstructive azoospermia (the body produces too few sperm or isn’t producing any). A lack of sperm can be due to: An obstruction that prevents sperm from being released, pote

What are spider veins (thread veins)? Spider veins, also known as thread veins, are milder versions of varicose veins and are smaller, red and blue blood vessels that are visible on the surface of the skin. Their appearance resembles a spider’s web or tree branches. You will usually have them on your legs and face and they are more common in women than in men. A vascular surgeon,

What is spina bifida?   Spina bifida is a brain birth defect of the spine or spinal cord caused by a defect of the neural tube (the embryonic structure that becomes the foetal brain and spinal cord as well as in the tissues that contain them).   It tends to start in the first month of pregnancy in cases where the spinal cord doesn’t close properly. The neural tube tends t

What are spinal tumours?Spinal tumours are abnormal growth of cells on the vertebrae. Cancerous tumours of the spine are not very common, however, the spine does have other more frequent types of cancer that affect it. One in four cancer patients develop a tumour that metastises in the spine, which causes pain and possible functional injuries.Not all spinal tumours are cancerous. There are three t

What is the spine? Newborns’ spines have 33 bones, while adults, due to the sacral and coccygeal vertebrae fusion during development, have 26. The vertebrae protect the spinal cord and allow you to stand and bend.    Vertebrae are stacked on top of one another and are grouped into four regions: Cervical vertebrae (C1 - C7). The spine is subdivided into two parts:

What is spinal cord compression?The spinal cord has nerves that send signals between the brain and the body. Spinal cord compression is when a mass puts pressure on the cord, this mass could either be a tumour or a bone. The spinal cord can become compressed anywhere from the cervical region of the spine (neck), all the way down to the lower spine (lumbar).  What are the symptoms of spin

What is spinal cord injury? A spinal cord injury is damage to any part of the nerves that make up the spinal cord or spinal canal. These nerves are essential for coordinating movement in your body and sending brain signals to your muscles when you want to move. A spinal cord injury is a serious a condition which can result in paralysis. The spine does not have to complete break for dama