spongi-, spongio-, spong-, spongo- +

A flat absorbent material from 1/2 to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 cm) thick, 3 to 6 in. (7.62 to 15.24 cm) in diameter, used as packing to prevent closing or obstruction by intrusion of viscera and for preventing tissue injury: During the operation, abdominal sponges were used to soak up excess fluids.

A sterile, absorbable, water-insoluble gelatin base sponge, used to control capillary bleeding in surgical operations.

It is left in situ (situated naturally) and is absorbed by the patient in from four to six weeks.

An infectious degenerative brain disease occurring in cattle; mad cow disease: Bovine spongiform encephalopathy is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease in cattle that causes a spongy degeneration in the brain and spinal cord.

BSE is a neurodegenerative disease found in domestic cattle which is related to a number of other similar diseases found in other animal species, including humans.

The most well-known of these other diseases are scrapie, found in sheep, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, found in humans.

The family of diseases is caused by an abnormally configured protein called a prion. The function of the protein in its normal configuration is not certain.

The diseases are similar to Alzheimer's disease in humans, except the progressive loss of brain function is more rapid.

An order of sponges in which the skeleton consists of horny fibers.

It includes all the commercial sponges.

1. The fibrocellular meshwork (network) in the spinal cord of the embryo, from which the neuroglia (cells that surround neurons) is developed.
2. A network in the embryonic central nervous system derived from the spongioblasts and giving rise to the neuroglia.

1. Any aquatic, chiefly marine animal of the phylum Porifera, having a porous structure and usually a horny, siliceous or calcareous internal skeleton or framework, occurring in large, sessile colonies.
2. The light, yielding, porous, fibrous skeleton or framework of certain animals or colonies of this group; especially, of the genera Spongia and Hippospongia, from which the living matter has been removed, characterized by readily absorbing water and becoming soft when wet while retaining toughness.

Used in bathing, in wiping or cleaning surfaces, etc. Any of various other similar substances, often porous rubber or cellulose, used for washing or cleaning.

3. A person or thing that absorbs something freely: "Her mind was described as a sponge gathering scientific data."
4. Someone who persistently borrows from, or lives, at the expense of others; a sponger; a parasite.
5. Sometimes referring to a drunkard who absorbs alcohol like a sponge.
6. In surgery, a sterile surgical dressing of absorbent material, usually cotton gauze, for wiping or absorbing pus, blood, or other fluids during a surgical operation.
7. A disposable piece of polyurethane foam impregnated with a spermicide for insertion into the vagina as a contraceptive.
8. To concede defeat, yield, give up by "throwing in the sponge: "The early election returns were heavily against her, but she wasn't ready to throw in the sponge."

A bath in which the body is sponged or washed one part at a time without being immersed.

A surgical instrument which clasps a gauze sponge.

Used to apply antiseptics to the skin, cleanse a wound, or sponge away blood from a deep surgical wound.

1. Resembling sponge.
2. Having the nature or qualities of sponge.

Living on or in sponges.

The cultivation of sponges.

1. Resembling a sponge in appearance or texture; spongy.
2. Resembling a sponge; soft and porous; porous.
3. Resembling a sponge in being soft and full of cavities; such as, in transmissible spongiform encephalopathy.

With many holes, like a sponge; a sponge.

One of the cells which, in sponges, secrete the spongin, or the material of the horny fibers.

Resembling s sponge in appearance or texture; soft and porous.