MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It was built as an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.
MedlinePlus presents high-quality, easy to understand, relevant health and wellness information that is trusted.
Your salivary glands make saliva - sometimes called spit - and empty it into your mouth through openings called ducts. Saliva makes your food moist, which helps ...
Your salivary glands are in your mouth. You have three pairs of major salivary glands and hundreds of small (minor) glands. They make saliva (spit) and empty ...
Salmonella is the name of a group of bacteria. In the United States, it is a common cause of foodborne illness.
Salmonella occurs in raw poultry, eggs, beef, and ...
What is sarcoidosis? Sarcoidosis is a condition in which groups of cells in your immune system form small, red, and swollen (inflamed) lumps. These lumps ...
Scabies is an itchy skin condition caused by the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabei. It is common all over the world, and can affect anyone. Scabies spreads quickly ...
A scar is a permanent patch of skin that grows over a wound. It forms when your body heals itself after a cut, scrape, burn, or sore. You can also get ...
Schizophrenia is a serious brain illness. People who have it may hear voices that aren't there. They may think other people are trying to hurt them. Sometimes they ...
Your child spends more time at school than anywhere else except home. Schools can have a major effect on children's health. Schools can teach children about ...
Sciatica is a symptom of a problem with the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body. It controls muscles in the back of your knee and lower leg and provides ...
What is scleroderma? Scleroderma means "hard skin." It's the name of an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and thickening in the skin and other ...
Scoliosis causes a sideways curve of your backbone, or spine. These curves are often S- or C-shaped. Scoliosis is most common in late childhood and the early teens, ...
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes with the seasons. It usually starts in the late fall and early winter and goes away ...
Secondhand smoke is a mixture of the smoke that comes from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe, and the smoke breathed out by the smoker. It contains ...
Seizures are symptoms of a brain problem. They happen because of sudden, abnormal
electrical activity in the brain. When people think of seizures, they often ...
What is self-harm? Self-harm, or self-injury, is when a person hurts his or her own body on purpose. The injuries may be minor, but sometimes they can ...
What is sepsis? Sepsis is your body's overactive and extreme response to an infection. Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency. Without quick treatment, ...
What is sexual assault? Sexual assault is any kind of sexual activity, contact, or experience that happens without your consent. That means the sexual ...
Sexuality is a big part of being human. Love, affection and sexual intimacy all play a role in healthy relationships. They also contribute to your sense of well- ...
Many men have sexual problems. They become more common as men age. Problems can include: Erectile dysfunction Reduced or lost interest in sex Problems with ...
There are many problems that can keep a woman from enjoying sex. They include: Lack of sexual desire Inability to become aroused Lack of orgasm, or sexual ...