Glossary

SAC: See Scientific Advisory Committee.
SBFT: See Small Bowel Follow-Through.
SBS: See Short Bowel Syndrome.
Schatzki's Ring: A buildup of tissue at the lower end of the esophagus that interferes with passage of food.
Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC): A collaborative group of researchers and scientists within CEGIR.
Sed Rate: Also ESR, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate; a blood marker of systemic inflammation.
Sedation: Use of medication for a calming effect.
Serosa: A thin membrane that lines body cavities. The serosa of the GI tract is the outermost layer of the intestine. The subserosa is the layer just under the serosa. Both serosa and subserosa cannot be biopsied through an endoscopic or colonoscopic procedure.
SGC: See Swallowed Glucocorticoids.
Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS): Short Bowel Syndrome refers to the state in which an intestine is too short to normally perform all of its functions, such as nutrient absorption. This results from surgical resection or a birth defect in intestinal development.
Short Gut Syndrome: See Short Bowel Syndrome.
Sigmoid Colon: A curved part of the large intestine that extends from the rectum to the descending colon on the left side of the abdomen and which includes the sigmoid flexure.
Sigmoidoscope: A short, flexible or rigid endoscope designed only to examine the rectum and sigmoid portion of the large intestine.
Sigmoidoscopy: A procedure in which a flexible or rigid sigmoidoscope is inserted into the rectum and through the entire length of the sigmoid portion of the large intestine for examination and possible biopsy. Preparation includes an enema and mild laxative to clear waste from the sigmoid and rectal areas.
Skin Prick Test (SPT): A method of allergy testing in which a small amount of an allergen is placed into the skin by making a small “prick” on the surface of the skin and assessing the skin reaction. The test indicates the presence of IgE-bound and mast cells.
Small Bowel: See Small Intestine.
Small Bowel Follow-Through (SBFT): A series of X-rays taken after one drinks a large glass of liquid barium.
Small Intestine: A long muscular tube that connects the bottom of the stomach with the large intestine (large bowel).
Splenic Flexure: The bend in the large intestine located in the left side of the abdomen (just under the stomach and spleen) where the ascending colon and transverse colon are connected.
Sprue: See Celiac Disease.
SPT: See Skin Prick Test.
Steatorrhea: Excess fat in the stool. This may be caused from problems with absorbing fat, which can occur from diseases such as IBD, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis and pancreatic insufficiency.
Stenosis: Any type of narrowing of a tubular or hollow structure in the body, such as the intestinal tract or spinal column.
Steroid: A type of medication that is a synthetic version of cortisol or other hormones. When based on cortisol, this type of medication suppresses the immune system and is therefore used to treat allergies, asthma, EGID, autoimmune diseases, some forms of cancer, organ transplant rejection and other diseases, and to provide adrenal gland support in cases of adrenal insufficiency.
Stoma: A hole created surgically to connect the gastrointestinal tract to the abdominal wall.
Stomach: A muscular pouch attached to the bottom of the esophagus where food is stored while it is being prepared for digestion and nutrient extraction in the small intestine.
Stricture: An abnormal area of narrowing in the digestive system. This may occur in areas such as the esophagus or colon.
Swallowed Glucocorticoids: A swallowed topical corticosteroid used to treat eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).