- palatal s. a medially directed outgrowth of the embryonic maxilla; when fused with its opposite number it forms the secondary palate.
- rectal s. a s. palpable by rectal examination, due to metastatic tumor cells gravitating from an abdominal cancer and growing in the rectovesical or rectouterine pouch. SYN: Blumer s..
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(shelf) a broad, flat surface, normal or abnormal, in the body.Medical dictionary. 2011.