Dictionary of Medical Terms 4th Ed

where the patient is alternately apathetic or very active and disturbed

catching / k tʃ ŋ/ adjective infectious

(informal) Is the disease catching? catchment area / k tʃmənt eəriə/ noun an area around a hospital which is served by that hospital

catecholamines /k tə kɒləmi nz/ plural noun the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline which are released by the adrenal glands

category / k t &(ə)ri/ noun a classification, the way in which things can be classified His condition is of a non-urgent category.

catgut / k t&"t/ noun a thread made from part of the intestines of sheep, now usually artificially hardened, used to sew up cuts made during surgery

COMMENT: Catgut is slowly dissolved by fluids in the body after the wound has healed and therefore does not need to be removed. Ordinary catgut will dissolve in five to ten days; hardened catgut takes up to three or four weeks.

catharsis /kə θɑ s s/ noun purgation of the bowels

cathartic /kə θɑ t k/ adjective laxative or purgative

catheter / k θ tə/ noun a tube passed into the body along one of the passages in the body catheterisation / k θ təra ze ʃ(ə)n/, catheterization noun the act of putting a catheter into a patient’s body

‘…high rates of disconnection of closed urine drainage systems, lack of hand washing and incorrect positioning of urine drainage bags have been highlighted in a new report on urethral catheterisation’ [Nursing Times]

‘…the technique used to treat aortic stenosis is similar to that for any cardiac catheterisation. A catheter introduced through the femoral vein is placed across the aortic valve and into the left ventricle.’ [Journal of the American Medical Association]

catheterise / k θ təra z/, catheterize verb to insert a catheter into a patient

CAT scan / k t sk n/, CT scan / si ti sk n/ noun same as CT scan

cat-scratch disease / k t skr tʃ d zi z/, cat-scratch fever / k t skr tʃ fi və/ noun an

illness in which the patient has a fever and swollen lymph glands, thought to be caused by a bacterium transmitted to humans by the scratch of a cat. It may also result from scratching with other sharp points.

cauda equina / kɔ də kwa nə/ noun a group of nerves which go from the spinal cord to the lumbar region and the coccyx

caudal / kɔ d(ə)l/ adjective (in humans) referring to the cauda equina

caudal anaesthetic / kɔ d(ə)l nəs θet k/ noun an anaesthetic, injected into the base of the spine to remove feeling in the lower part of the body. It is often used in childbirth.

caudal analgesia n(ə)l d i ziə/ noun a method of pain relief that involves injecting an anaesthetic into the base of the spine to remove feeling in the lower part of

the body

caudal block / kɔ d(ə)l blɒk/ noun a local analgesia of the cauda equina nerves in the lower spine

caudate / kɔ de t/ adjective like a tail caudate lobe / kɔ de t ləυb/ noun a lobe at

the back of the liver, behind the right and left lobes. Also called posterior lobe

caul /kɔ l/ noun 1. a membrane which sometimes covers a baby’s head at birth 2. same as

omentum

cauliflower ear / kɒliflaυər ə/ noun a permanently swollen ear, caused by blows in boxing

causalgia /kɔ z ld ə/ noun burning pain in

a limb, caused by a damaged nerve

causal organism / kɔ z(ə)l ɔ &ən z(ə)m/ noun an organism that causes a particular disease

caustic / kɔ st k/ noun a chemical substance that destroys tissues that it touches adjective

corrosive and destructive

cauterisation / kɔ təra ze ʃ(ə)n/, cauterization noun the act of cauterising The growth was removed by cauterisation. cauterise / kɔ təra z/, cauterize verb to use burning, radiation or laser beams to remove tissue or to stop bleeding

cautery / kɔ təri/ noun a surgical instrument

used to cauterise a wound cava / ke və/ vena cava

cavernosum / k və nəυsəm/ corpus cavernosum

cavernous breathing sounds / k vənəs bri ð ŋ saυndz/ plural noun hollow sounds

made by the lungs and heard through a stethoscope placed on a patient’s chest, used in diagnosis

cavernous haemangioma / k vənəshi m nd əυmə/ noun a tumour in connec-

tive tissue with wide spaces which contain

blood

cavernous sinus / k vənəs sa nəs/ noun one of two cavities in the skull behind the eyes, which form part of the venous drainage system cavitation / k v te ʃ(ə)n/ noun the forming of a cavity

cavity / k v ti/ noun a hole or space inside the body

cc abbr cubic centimetre CCU abbr coronary care unit

CD4 / si di fɔ / noun a compound consisting of a protein combined with a carbohydrate which is found in some cells and helps to protect the body against infection CD4 count a test used to monitor how many CD4 cells have been destroyed in people with HIV

CDH abbr congenital dislocation of the hip cecum / si kəm/ noun US same as caecum cefaclor / sefəklɔ / noun an antibacterial drug used to treat septicaemia

cefotaxime / sefə t ksi m/ noun a synthetic cephalosporin used to treat bacterial infection by pseudomonads

-cele /si l/ suffix referring to a swelling celiac / si li k/ adjective US same as coeliac

cell /sel/ noun a tiny unit of matter which is the base of all plant and animal tissue (NOTE: For other terms referring to cells, see words beginning with cyt-, cyto-.)

COMMENT: The cell is a unit which can reproduce itself. It is made up of a jelly-like substance (cytoplasm) which surrounds a nucleus and contains many other small structures which are different according to the type of cell. Cells reproduce by division (mitosis) and their process of feeding and removing waste products is metabolism. The division and reproduction of cells is the way the human body is formed.

cell body / sel bɒdi/ noun the part of a nerve cell which surrounds the nucleus and from which the axon and dendrites begin

cell division / sel d v (ə)n/ noun the way in which a cell reproduces itself. mitosis,

meiosis

cell membrane / sel membre n/ noun a membrane enclosing the cytoplasm of a cell. columnar cell, target cell

cellular / seljυlə/ adjective 1. referring to cells, or formed of cells 2. made of many similar parts connected together

cellular tissue / seljυlə t ʃu / noun a form of connective tissue with large spaces cellulite / seljυla t/ noun lumpy deposits of subcutaneous fat, especially in the thighs and buttocks

cellulitis / seljυ la t s/ noun a usually bacterial inflammation of connective tissue or of the subcutaneous tissue

cellulose / seljυləυs/ noun a carbohydrate which makes up a large percentage of plant matter

COMMENT: Cellulose is not digestible and is passed through the digestive system as roughage.

Celsius / selsiəs/ noun a metric scale of temperature on which 0° is the point at which water freezes and 100° is the point at which water boils under average atmospheric conditions. Also called centigrade. Fahrenheit (NOTE: It is usually written as a C after the degree sign: 52°C (say: ‘fifty-two degrees Celsius’).) [Described 1742. After Anders Celsius (1701–44), Swedish astronomer and scientist.]

COMMENT: To convert Celsius temperatures to Fahrenheit, multiply by 1.8 and add 32. So 20°C is equal to 68°F. Celsius is used in many countries, though not in the US, where the Fahrenheit system is still preferred.

Celsius temperature / selsiəs tempr tʃə/ noun temperature as measured on the Celsius scale

CEMACH / si m ʃ/ noun a UK research project investigating the causes of infant deaths and stillbirths. Full form Confidential

Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health cement /s ment/ noun 1. an adhesive used in dentistry to attach a crown to the base of a

tooth 2. same as cementum

cementum /s mentəm/ noun a layer of thick hard material which covers the roots of

teeth

census / sensəs/ noun a systematic count or

survey

center / sentə/ noun US same as centre

-centesis /senti s s/ suffix puncture

centi- /senti/ prefix one hundredth (10-2).

Symbol c

centigrade / sent &re d/ noun same as Cel-

sius

centile chart / senta l tʃɑ t/ noun a chart showing the number of babies who fall into each percentage category, as regards, e.g., birth weight

centilitre / sent li tə/, centiliter noun a unit of measurement of liquid equal to one hundredth of a litre. Symbol cl

centimetre / sent mi tə/, centimeter noun a unit of measurement of length equal to one hundredth of a metre. Symbol cm

central / sentrəl/ adjective referring to the

centre

central canal / sentrəl kə n l/ noun a thin tube in the centre of the spinal cord containing

cerebrospinal fluid

central line / sentrəl la n/ noun a catheter inserted through the neck, used to monitor central venous pressure in conditions such as

shock where fluid balance is severely upset central nervous system / sentrəl n! vəs

s stəm/ noun the brain and spinal cord which

link together all the nerves

central sulcus / sentrəl s"lkəs/ noun one of the grooves which divide a cerebral hemi-

sphere into lobes

central temperature / sentrəl tempr tʃə/ noun the temperature of the brain, thorax and

abdomen, which is constant

central vein / sentrəl ve n/ noun a vein in

the liver

central venous pressure / sentrəl vi nəspreʃə/ noun blood pressure in the right atrium of the heart, which can be measured by means

of a catheter

centre / sentə/ noun 1. the middle point, or the main part of something The aim of the examination is to locate the centre of infection.

2. a large building 3. the point where a group of nerves come together (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is center.)

centrifugal / sentr fju &(ə)l, sen tr fjυ&(ə)l/

adjective moving away from the centre

centrifugation / sentr fju &e ʃ(ə)n/, centrifuging / sentr fju d ŋ/ noun the process

of separating the components of a liquid in a

centrifuge

centrifuge / sentr fju d / noun a device to separate the components of a liquid by rapid

spinning

centriole / sentriəυl/ noun a small structure found in the cytoplasm of a cell, which involved in forming the spindle during cell divi-

sion

centripetal / sentr pi t(ə)l, sen tr p t(ə)l/

adjective moving towards the centre centromere / sentrəm ə/ noun a constricted

part of a chromosome, seen as a cell divides centrosome / sentrəsəυm/ noun the struc-

ture in the cytoplasm of a cell, near the nucle-

us, and containing the centrioles

centrum / sentrəm/ noun the central part of

an organ (NOTE: The plural is centra.) cephal- /sefəl/ prefix same as cephalo- (used

before vowels)

cephalalgia / sefə l ld ə/ noun same as headache

cephalexin / sefə leks n/ noun an antibiotic used to treat infections of the urinary system or

respiratory tract

cephalhaematoma / sefəlhi mə təυmə/ noun a swelling found mainly on the head of babies delivered with forceps

cephalic /sə f l k/ adjective referring to the

head

cephalic index /sə f l k ndeks/ noun a

measurement of the shape of the skull cephalic presentation /sə f l k prez(ə)n

te ʃ(ə)n/ noun the usual position of a baby in the uterus, where the baby’s head will appear

first

cephalic version /sə f l k v! ʃ(ə)n/ noun turning a wrongly positioned fetus round in the

uterus, so that the head will appear first at birth cephalo- /sefələυ/ prefix referring to the head cephalocele / sefələυsi l/ noun a swelling

caused by part of the brain passing through a

weak point in the bones of the skull cephalogram / sefələυ&r m/ noun an X-

ray photograph of the bones of the skull cephalometry / sefə lɒm tri/ noun measurement of the head

cephalopelvic / sefələυ pelv k/ adjective referring to the head of the fetus and the pelvis of the mother

cephalopelvic disproportion / sefələυpelv k d sprə pɔ ʃ(ə)n/ noun a condition in

which the pelvic opening of the mother is not

large enough for the head of the fetus cephalosporin / sefələυ spɔ r n/ noun a

drug used in the treatment of bacterial infection

cephradine / sefrədi n/ noun an antibacterial drug used to treat sinusitis and urinary tract infections

cerclage /s! klɑ / noun the act of tying things together with a ring

cerea / s əriə/ flexibilitas cerea cerebellar / serə belə/ adjective referring to

the cerebellum

cerebellar ataxia / serəbelər ə t ksiə/ noun a disorder where a person staggers and cannot speak clearly, due to a disease of the

cerebellum

cerebellar cortex / serəbelə kɔ teks/ noun the outer covering of grey matter which covers the cerebellum

cerebellar gait / serəbelə &e t/ noun a way of walking where a person staggers along,

caused by a disease of the cerebellum

cerebellar peduncle / serəbelə p d"ŋk(ə)l/ noun a band of nerve tissue con-

necting parts of the cerebellum

cerebellar syndrome / serəbelə s n drəυm/ noun a disease affecting the cerebel-

lum, the symptoms of which are lack of muscle coordination, spasms in the eyeball and im-

paired speech

cerebellum / serə beləm/ noun a section of the hindbrain, located at the back of the head beneath the back part of the cerebrum. See illustration at BRAIN in Supplement

COMMENT: The cerebellum is formed of two hemispheres with the vermis in the centre. Fibres go into or out of the cerebellum through the peduncles. The cerebellum is the part of the brain where voluntary movements are coordinated and is associated with the sense of balance.

cerebr- /serəbr/ prefix same as cerebro- (used before vowels)

cerebra /sə ri brə/ plural of cerebrum cerebral / serəbrəl/ adjective referring to the

cerebrum or to the brain in general

cerebral aqueduct / serəbrəl kw d"kt/ noun a canal connecting the third and fourth ventricles in the brain. Also called aqueduct

of Sylvius

cerebral artery / serəbrəl ɑ təri/ noun one of the main arteries which take blood into the

brain

cerebral cavity / serəbrəl k v ti/ noun one of the four connected fluid-filled spaces in

the brain

cerebral cortex / serəbrəl kɔ teks/ noun the outer layer of grey matter which covers the cerebrum

cerebral decompression

di kəm preʃ(ə)n/ noun the removal of part of

the skull to relieve pressure on the brain cerebral dominance / serəbrəl dɒm nəns/

noun the usual condition where the centres for various functions are located in one cerebral hemisphere

cerebral haemorrhage / serəbrəl hem(ə)r d / noun bleeding inside the brain from a cerebral artery. Also called brain haem-

orrhage

cerebral hemisphere / serəbrəl hem s* f ə/ noun one of the two halves of the cere-

brum

cerebral infarction / serəbrəl n fɑ kʃən/ noun the death of brain tissue as a result of re-

duction in the blood supply to the brain cerebral ischaemia / serəbrəl ski miə/

noun failure in the blood supply to the brain cerebral palsy / serəbrəl pɔ lzi/ noun a

disorder mainly due to brain damage occurring before birth, or due to lack of oxygen during birth, associated with poor coordination of muscular movements, impaired speech, hearing and sight, and sometimes mental impairment (NOTE: Premature babies are at higher

risk.)

cerebral peduncle / serəbrəl p d"ŋk(ə)l/ noun a mass of nerve fibres connecting the cerebral hemispheres to the midbrain. See illus-

tration at BRAIN in Supplement

cerebral thrombosis / serəbrəl θrɒm bəυs s/ noun same as cerebrovascular accident

cerebral vascular accident / serəbrəlv skjυlər ks d(ə)nt/ noun same as cere-

brovascular accident

cerebration / serə bre ʃ(ə)n/ noun brain ac-

tivity

cerebro- /serəbrəυ/ prefix referring to the

cerebrum

cerebrospinal / serəbrəυ spa n(ə)l/ adjec-

tive referring to the brain and the spinal cord cerebrospinal fever / serəbrəυspa n(ə)l

fi və/ noun same as meningococcal meningi-

tis

cerebrospinal fluid / serəbrəυspa n(ə)l flu d/ noun fluid which surrounds the brain and the spinal cord. Abbr CSF

COMMENT: CSF is found in the space between the arachnoid mater and pia mater of the brain, within the ventricles of the brain and in the central canal of the spinal cord. It consists mainly of water, with some sugar and sodium chloride. Its function is to cushion the brain and spinal cord and it is continually formed and absorbed to maintain the correct pressure.

cerebrospinal meningitis / serəbrəυ spa n(ə)l men n d a t s/ noun same as

meningococcal meningitis

cerebrospinal tract / serəbrəυspa n(ə)l tr kt/ noun one of the main motor pathways in the anterior and lateral white columns of the

spinal cord

cerebrovascular / serəbrəυ v skjυlə/ adjective referring to the blood vessels in the brain

cerebrovascular accident / serəbrəυv skjυlər ks d(ə)nt/ noun a sudden

blocking of or bleeding from a blood vessel in the brain resulting in temporary or permanent

paralysis or death. Also called stroke

cerebrovascular disease / serəbrəυv skjυlə d zi z/ noun a disease of the blood

vessels in the brain

cerebrum /sə ri brəm/ noun the largest part of the brain, formed of two sections, the cerebral hemispheres, which run along the length of the head. The cerebrum controls the main mental processes, including the memory. Also called telencephalon

certificate /sə t f kət/ noun an official paper which states something

certify / s! t fa / verb to make an official statement in writing about something He was certified dead on arrival at hospital. cerumen /sə ru men/ noun wax which forms

inside the ear. Also called earwax ceruminous gland /sə ru m nəs &l nd/ noun a gland which secretes earwax. See illustration at EAR in Supplement

cervic- /s! v k/ prefix same as cervico- (used

before vowels)

cervical / s! v k(ə)l, sə va k(ə)l/ adjective

1. referring to the neck 2. referring to any part of the body which is shaped like a neck, especially the cervix of the uterus

cervical canal / s! v k(ə)l kə n l/ noun a tube running through the cervix, from the point where the uterus joins the vagina to the entrance of the uterine cavity. Also called cer-

vicouterine canal

cervical cancer / s! v k(ə)l k nsə/ noun a

cancer of the cervix of the uterus

cervical collar / s! v k(ə)l kɒlə/ noun a special strong orthopaedic collar to support the head of a person with neck injuries or a condi-

tion such as cervical spondylosis

cervical erosion / s! v k(ə)l rəυ (ə)n/ noun a condition in which the epithelium of the mucous membrane lining the cervix uteri extends outside the cervix

cervical ganglion / s! v k(ə)l & ŋ&liən/ noun one of the bundles of nerves in the neck

cervical incompetence / s! v k(ə)l

nkɒmp t(ə)ns/ noun a dysfunction of the cervix of the uterus which is often the cause of spontaneous abortions and premature births and can be remedied by Shirodkar’s operation

cervical intraepithelial neoplasia /

s! v k(ə)l ntrəep θi liəl ni əυ ple ə/ noun changes in the cells of the cervix which

may lead to cervical cancer. Abbr CIN cervical nerve / s! v k(ə)l n! v/ noun spi-

nal nerve in the neck

cervical node / s! v k(ə)l nəυd/ noun lymph node in the neck

cervical plexus / s! v k(ə)l pleksəs/ noun a group of nerves in front of the vertebrae in the neck, which lead to nerves supplying the

skin and muscles of the neck, and also the phrenic nerve which controls the diaphragm

cervical rib / s! v k(ə)l r b/ noun an extra rib sometimes found attached to the vertebrae above the other ribs and which may cause thoracic inlet syndrome

cervical smear / s! v k(ə)l sm ə/ noun a test for cervical cancer, where cells taken from the mucus in the cervix of the uterus are examined

cervical spondylosis / s! v k(ə)l spɒnd ləυs s/ noun a degenerative change in the neck bones. spondylosis

cervical vertebrae / s! v k(ə)l v! t bri / plural noun the seven bones which form the neck

cervicectomy / s! v sektəmi/ noun the surgical removal of the cervix uteri

cervices / s! v si z/ plural of cervix

cervicitis / s! v sa t s/ noun inflammation of the cervix uteri

cervico- /s! v kəυ/ prefix 1. referring to the neck 2. referring to the cervix of the uterus cervicography / s! v kɒ&rəfi/ noun the act of photographing the cervix uteri, used as a method of screening for cervical cancer

cervicouterine canal / s! v kəυ ju təra n kə n l/ noun same as cervical canal

cervix / s! v ks/ noun 1. any narrow neck of an organ 2. the neck of the uterus, the narrow lower part of the uterus leading into the vagina. Also called cervix uteri

CESDI noun full form Confidential Enquiry into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy.

CEMACH

cesium / si ziəm/ noun US same as caesium cestode / sestəυd/ noun a type of tapeworm

cetrimide / setr ma d/ noun a mixture of ammonium compounds, used in disinfectants and antiseptics

CF abbr cystic fibrosis

CFT abbr complement fixation test

chafe /tʃe f/ verb to rub something, especially to rub against the skin The rough cloth of the collar chafed the girl’s neck.

chafing / tʃe f ŋ/ noun irritation of the skin due to rubbing She was experiencing chafing of the thighs.

Chagas’ disease / ʃɑ &əs d zi z/ noun a type of sleeping sickness found in South America, transmitted by insect bites which pass trypanosomes into the bloodstream. Children are mainly affected and if untreated the disease can cause fatal heart block in early adult life. [Described 1909. After Carlos Chagas (1879–1934), Brazilian scientist and physician.]

CHAI abbr Commission for Healthcare Audit and Improvement

chalasia /tʃə le ziə/ noun an excessive relaxation of the oesophageal muscles, which causes regurgitation

chalazion /kə le ziən/ noun same as meibomian cyst

challenge / tʃ l nd / verb to expose someone to a substance to determine whether an allergy or other adverse reaction will occur noun exposure of someone to a substance to determine whether an allergy or other adverse reaction will occur

chalone / ke ləυn, k ləυn/ noun a hormone which stops a secretion, as opposed to those hormones which stimulate secretion

chamber / tʃe mbə/ noun a hollow space (atrium or ventricle) in the heart where blood is collected

chancre / ʃ ŋkə/ noun a sore on the lip, penis or eyelid which is the first symptom of syphilis

chancroid / ʃ ŋkrɔ d/ noun a venereal sore with a soft base, situated in the groin or on the genitals and caused by the bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi. Also called soft chancre change of life / tʃe nd əv la f/ noun same as menopause (dated informal)

chapped /tʃ pt/ adjective referring to skin which is cracked due to cold

characterise / k r ktəra z/, characterize verb to be a typical or special quality or feature of something or someone The disease is characterised by the development of lesions throughout the body.

characteristic / k r ktə r st k/ noun a quality which allows something to be recognised as different Cancer destroys the cell’s characteristics. adjective being a typical or distinguishing quality symptoms characteristic of anaemia The inflammation is characteristic of shingles.

charcoal / tʃɑ kəυl/ noun a highly absorbent substance, formed when wood is burnt in the absence of oxygen, used to relieve diarrhoea or intestinal gas and in cases of poisoning

COMMENT: Charcoal tablets can be used to relieve diarrhoea or flatulence.

Charcot’s joint / ʃɑ kəυz d ɔ nt/ noun a joint which becomes deformed because the patient cannot feel pain in it when the nerves have been damaged by syphilis, diabetes or leprosy [Described 1868. After Jean-Martin Charcot (1825–93), French neurologist.]

Charcot’s triad / ʃɑ kəυz tra d/ noun three symptoms of multiple sclerosis: rapid eye movement, tremor and scanning speech

charleyhorse / tʃɑ lihɔ s/ noun US a painful cramp in a leg or thigh (informal)

Charnley clamps / tʃɑ nli kl mps/ plural noun metal clamps fixed to a rod through a bone to hold it tight

chart /tʃɑ t/ noun a record of information shown as a series of lines or points on graph paper a temperature chart

charting / tʃɑ t ŋ/ noun the preparation and updating of a hospital patient’s chart by nurses and doctors

ChB abbr bachelor of surgery

CHC abbr 1. child health clinic 2. community health council

CHD abbr coronary heart disease

check-up / tʃek "p/ noun a general examination by a doctor or dentist She went for a check-up. He had a heart check-up last week.

cheek /tʃi k/ noun 1. one of two fleshy parts of the face on each side of the nose 2. either side of the buttocks (informal)

cheekbone / tʃi kbəυn/ noun an arch of bone in the face beneath the cheek which also forms the lower part of the eye socket

cheil- /ka l/ prefix same as cheilo- (used before vowels)

cheilitis /ka la t s/ noun inflammation of the lips

cheilo- /ka ləυ/ prefix referring to the lips

cheiloschisis / ka ləυ ʃa s s/ noun a double cleft upper lip

cheilosis /ka ləυs s/ noun swelling and cracks on the lips and corners of the mouth caused by lack of vitamin B

cheiro- /ke rəυ/ prefix referring to the hand cheiropompholyx / ke rəυ pɒmfəl ks/ noun a disorder of the skin in which tiny blisters appear on the palms of the hand

chelate / ki le t/ verb to treat someone with a chelating agent in order to remove a heavy metal such as lead from the bloodstream chelating agent / ki le t ŋ e d ənt/ noun a chemical compound which can combine with some metals, used as a treatment for metal poisoning

cheloid / ki lɔ d/ noun same as keloid chemical / kem k(ə)l/ adjective referring to chemistry noun a substance produced by a chemical process or formed of chemical elements

‘The MRI body scanner is able to provide a chemical analysis of tissues without investigative surgery’ [Health Services Journal]

chemical composition / kem k(ə)lkɒmpə z ʃ(ə)n/ noun the chemicals which

make up a substance They analysed the blood samples to find out their chemical composition.

chemical symbol / kem k(ə)l s mbəl/ noun letters which represent a chemical substance Na is the symbol for sodium.

chemist / kem st/ noun a shop where you can buy medicine, toothpaste, soap and similar items Go to the chemist to get some cough

medicine. The tablets are sold at all chemists. There’s a chemist on the corner. chemistry / kem stri/ noun the study of substances, elements and compounds and their reactions with each other blood chemistry or chemistry of the blood 1. substances which make up blood, which can be analysed in blood tests, the results of which are useful in diagnosing disease 2. a record of changes which take place in blood during disease and treatment

chemo / ki məυ/ noun chemotherapy

(informal)

chemo- /ki məυ/ prefix referring to chemistry chemoreceptor / ki məυr septə/ noun a cell which responds to the presence of a chemical compound by activating a nerve, e.g. a taste bud reacting to food or cells in the carotid body reacting to lowered oxygen and raised carbon dioxide in the blood

chemosis /ki məυs s/ noun swelling of the conjunctiva

chemotaxis / ki məυ t ks s/ noun the movement of a cell when it is attracted to or repelled by a chemical substance chemotherapeutic agent / ki məυθerə pju t k e d ənt/ noun a chemical substance used to treat a disease

chemotherapy / ki məυ θerəpi/ noun the use of drugs such as antibiotics, painkillers or antiseptic lotions to fight a disease, especially using toxic chemicals to destroy rapidly developing cancer cells

chest /tʃest/ noun 1. the upper front part of the body between the neck and stomach. Also called thorax 2. same as thorax (NOTE: For other terms referring to the chest, see pectoral and words beginning with steth-, thorac-, thoraco-.) chest cavity / tʃest k v ti/ noun a space in the body containing the diaphragm, heart and lungs

chest examination / tʃest & z m ne ʃ(ə)n/ noun an examination of someone’s chest by percussion, stethoscope or X-ray

chest muscle / tʃest m"s(ə)l/ noun same as pectoral muscle

chest pain / tʃest pe n/ noun pain in the chest which may be caused by heart disease

chesty / tʃesti/ adjective having phlegm in the lungs, or having a tendency to chest complaints

Cheyne–Stokes respiration / tʃe n stəυks resp re ʃ(ə)n/, Cheyne–Stokes

breathing / bri ð ŋ/ noun irregular breathing, usually found in people who are unconscious, with short breaths gradually increasing to deep breaths, then reducing again, until breathing appears to stop

CHI abbr Commission for Health Improvement

chiasm / ka z(ə)m/, chiasma /ka zmə/ noun optic chiasma

chickenpox / tʃ k n pɒks/ noun an infectious disease of children, with fever and red spots which turn into itchy blisters. Also called varicella

COMMENT: Chickenpox is caused by a herpesvirus. In later life, shingles is usually a reemergence of a dormant chickenpox virus and an adult with shingles can infect a child with chickenpox.

Chief Medical Officer /tʃi f med k(ə)lɒf sə/ noun in the UK, a government official responsible for all aspects of public health. Abbr CMO

Chief Nursing Officer /tʃi f n! s ŋ ɒf sə/ noun in the UK, an official appointed by the Department of Health to advise Government Ministers and provide leadership to nurses and midwives. Abbr CNO

chilblain / tʃ lble n/ noun a condition in which the skin of the fingers, toes, nose or ears becomes red, swollen and itchy because of exposure to cold. Also called erythema pernio child /tʃa ld/ noun a young boy or girl. Child is the legal term for a person under 14 years of age. (NOTE: The plural is children. For other terms referring to children, see words beginning

with paed-, paedo- or ped-, pedo-.)

child abuse / tʃa ld ə bju s/ noun cruel treatment of a child by an adult, including physical and sexual harm

childbearing / tʃa ldbeər ŋ/ noun the act of carrying and giving birth to a child childbirth / tʃa ldb! θ/ noun the act of giving birth. Also called parturition

child care / tʃa ld keə/ noun the care of young children and study of their special needs child health clinic /tʃa ld helθ kl n k/ noun a special clinic for checking the health and development of small children under school age. Abbr CHC

childhood illness / tʃa ldhυd lnəs/ noun an illness which mainly affects children and not adults

child-proof / tʃa ld pru f/ adjective designed so that a child cannot use it child-proof containers The pills are sold in bottles with child-proof lids or caps.

child protection / tʃa ld prə tekʃən/ noun the measures taken to avoid abuse, neglect or exploitation of any kind towards children

children / tʃ ldrən/ plural of child children’s hospital / tʃ ldrənz hɒsp t(ə)l/ noun a hospital which specialises in treating children

chill /tʃ l/ noun a short illness causing a feeling of being cold and shivering, usually the sign of the beginning of a fever, of flu or a cold

chin /tʃ n/ noun the bottom part of the face, beneath the mouth

Chinese medicine / tʃa ni z med(ə)s n/ noun a system of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of illness developed in China over many centuries. It uses herbs, minerals and animal products, exercise, massage and acupuncture.

Chinese restaurant syndrome / tʃa ni z rest(ə)rɒnt s ndrəυm/ noun an allergic con-

dition which gives people severe headaches after eating food flavoured with monosodium glutamate (informal)

chiro- /ka rəυ/ prefix referring to the hand chiropodist /k rɒpəd st/ noun a person

who specialises in treatment of minor disor-

ders of the feet

chiropody /k rɒpədi/ noun the study and treatment of minor diseases and disorders of the feet

chiropractic / ka rəυ pr kt k/ noun the treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system by making adjustments primarily to the bones of the spine chiropractor / ka rəυ pr ktə/ noun a person who treats musculoskeletal disorders by making adjustments primarily to the bones of the spine

chiropracty / ka rəυ pr kti/ noun same as chiropractic (informal)

Chlamydia /klə m diə/ noun a bacterium that causes trachoma and urogenital diseases in humans and psittacosis in birds, which can be transmitted to humans. It is currently a major cause of sexually transmitted disease. chlamydial /klə m diəl/ adjective referring to infections caused by Chlamydia chloasma /kləυ zmə/ noun the presence of brown spots on the skin from various causes chlor- /klɔ r/ prefix same as chloro- (used be-

fore vowels)

chlorambucil /klɔ r mbjυs l/ noun a drug which is toxic to cells, used in cancer treatment

chloramphenicol / klɔ r m fen kɒl/ noun a powerful antibiotic which sometimes causes the collapse of blood cell production, so is used only for treating life-threatening diseases

such as meningitis

chlordiazepoxide / klɔ da zi pɒksa d/ noun a yellow crystalline powder, used as a tranquilliser and treatment for alcoholism chlorhexidine /klɔ heks di n/ noun a disinfectant mouthwash

chloride / klɔ ra d/ noun a salt of hydrochloric acid

chlorination / klɔ r ne ʃ(ə)n/ noun sterilisation by adding chlorine

COMMENT: Chlorination is used to kill bacteria in drinking water, in swimming pools and sewage farms, and has many industrial applications such as sterilisation in food processing.

chlorinator / klɔ r ne tə/ noun apparatus for adding chlorine to water

chlorine / klɔ ri n/ noun a powerful greenish gas, used to sterilise water (NOTE: The chemical symbol is Cl.)

chlormethiazole / klɔ me θa əzəυl/ noun a sedative used in the treatment of people with alcoholism

chloro- /klɔ rəυ/ prefix referring to chlorine chloroform / klɒrəfɔ m/ noun a powerful drug formerly used as an anaesthetic chloroma /klɔ rəυmə/ noun a bone tumour associated with acute leukaemia

chloroquine / klɔ rəkw n/ noun a drug used to prevent and treat malaria, but to which resistance has developed in some parts of the world

chlorosis /klɔ rəυs s/ noun a type of severe anaemia due to iron deficiency, affecting mainly young girls

chlorothiazide / klɔ rəυ θa əza d/ noun a drug which helps the body to produce more urine, used in the treatment of high blood pressure, swelling and heart failure chloroxylenol / klɔ rəυ za lənɒl/ noun a chemical used as an antimicrobial agent in skin creams and in disinfectants chlorpheniramine / klɔ fen a rəmi n/, chlorpheniramine maleate / klɔ fena rəmi n m lie t/ noun an antihistamine drug

chlorpromazine hydrochloride /klɔprəυməzi n ha drəυ klɔ ra d/ noun a drug

used to treat schizophrenia and other psychoses

chlorpropamide /klɔ prəυpəma d/ noun a drug which lowers blood sugar, used in the treatment of diabetes

chlorthalidone /klɔ θ l dəυn/ noun a diuretic

ChM abbr Master of Surgery

choana / kəυənə/ noun any opening shaped like a funnel, especially the one leading from the nasal cavity to the pharynx (NOTE: The plu-

ral is choanae.)

chocolate cyst / tʃɒklət s st/ noun an ovarian cyst containing old brown blood choke /tʃəυk/ verb to stop breathing because the windpipe becomes blocked by a foreign body or by inhalation of water, or to stop someone breathing by blocking the windpipe

to choke on (something) to take something into the windpipe instead of the gullet, so that the breathing is interrupted A piece of bread made him choke or He choked on a piece of bread.

choking / tʃəυk ŋ/ noun a condition in which someone is prevented from breathing. asphyxia

chol- /kɒl/ prefix same as chole- (used before vowels)

cholaemia /kə li miə/ noun the presence of an unusual amount of bile in the blood

cholagogue / kɒlə&ɒ&/ noun a drug which

encourages the production of bile

cholangiocarcinoma /kə l nd iəυ kɑ s nəυmə/ noun a rare cancer of the cells of the

bile ducts

cholangiography /kə l nd i ɒ&rəfi/ noun an X-ray examination of the bile ducts and gall bladder

cholangiolitis /kə l nd iəυ la t s/ noun inflammation of the small bile ducts

cholangiopancreatography /kə l n d iəυ p ŋkriə tɒ&rəfi/ noun an X-ray exam-

ination of the bile ducts and pancreas cholangitis / kəυl n d a t s/ noun inflammation of the bile ducts

chole- /kɒl / prefix referring to bile cholecalciferol / kɒl k l s fərɒl/ noun a

form of vitamin D found naturally in fish-liver

oils and egg yolks

cholecystectomy / kɒl s stektəmi/ noun the surgical removal of the gall bladder cholecystitis / kɒl s sta t s/ noun inflam-

mation of the gall bladder

cholecystoduodenostomy / kɒl s stədju əd nɒstəmi/ noun a surgical operation

to join the gall bladder to the duodenum to allow bile to pass into the intestine when the

main bile duct is blocked

cholecystogram / kɒl s stə&r m/ noun

an X-ray photograph of the gall bladder cholecystography / kɒl s stɒ&rəfi/ noun

an X-ray examination of the gall bladder cholecystokinin / kɒl s stəυ ka n n/ noun a hormone released by cells at the top of the small intestine. It stimulates the gall bladder,

making it contract and release bile. cholecystotomy / kɒl s stɒtəmi/ noun a

surgical operation to make a cut in the gall

bladder, usually to remove gallstones choledoch- /kəledək/ prefix referring to the

common bile duct

choledocholithiasis /kə ledəkəl θa əs s/

noun same as cholelithiasis choledocholithotomy /kə led kəυl

θɒtəmi/ noun a surgical operation to remove

a gallstone by cutting into the bile duct choledochostomy /kə ledə kɒstəmi/ noun

a surgical operation to make an opening in a

bile duct

choledochotomy /kəledə kɒtəmi/ noun a surgical operation to make a cut in the common bile duct to remove gallstones cholelithiasis / kɒl l θa əs s/ noun a condition in which gallstones form in the gall bladder or bile ducts. Also called choledocho-

lithiasis

cholelithotomy / kɒl l θɒtəm / noun the surgical removal of gallstones by cutting into

the gall bladder

cholera / kɒlərə/ noun a serious bacterial disease spread through food or water which has

been infected by Vibrio cholerae A cholera epidemic broke out after the flood.

COMMENT: The infected person experiences diarrhoea, cramp in the intestines and dehydration. The disease is often fatal and vaccination is only effective for a relatively short period.

choleresis /kə l ərəs s/ noun the production of bile by the liver

choleretic / kɒl ret k/ adjective referring to a substance which increases the production and flow of bile

cholestasis / kɒl ste s s/ noun a condition in which all bile does not pass into the intestine but some remains in the liver and causes jaundice

cholesteatoma /kə lestiə təυmə/ noun a cyst containing some cholesterol found in the middle ear and also in the brain

cholesterol /kə lestərɒl/ noun a fatty substance found in fats and oils, also produced by the liver and forming an essential part of all cells

COMMENT: Cholesterol is found in brain cells, the adrenal glands, liver and bile acids. High levels of cholesterol in the blood are found in diabetes. Cholesterol is formed by the body, and high blood cholesterol levels are associated with diets rich in animal fat, such as butter and fat meat. Excess cholesterol can be deposited in the walls of arteries, causing atherosclerosis.

cholesterolaemia /kə lestərə le miə/ noun a high level of cholesterol in the blood cholesterosis /kə lestə rəυs s/ noun inflammation of the gall bladder with deposits of cholesterol

cholic acid / kəυl k s d/ noun one of the bile acids

choline / kəυli n/ noun a compound involved in fat metabolism and the precursor for acetylcholine

cholinergic / kəυl n! d k/ adjective referring to a neurone or receptor which responds to acetylcholine

cholinesterase / kəυl nestəre z/ noun an enzyme which breaks down a choline ester choluria /kəυ ljυəriə/ noun same as biliuria

chondr- /kɒndr/ prefix referring to cartilage

chondritis /kɒn dra t s/ noun inflammation of a cartilage

chondroblast / kɒndrəυbl st/ noun a cell from which cartilage develops in an embryo chondrocalcinosis / kɒndrəυ k ls nəυs s/ noun a condition in which deposits of calcium phosphate are found in articular cartilage

chondrocyte / kɒndrəυsa t/ noun a mature cartilage cell

chondrodysplasia / kɒndrəυd s ple ziə/ noun a hereditary disorder of cartilage which is linked to dwarfism

chondrodystrophy / kɒndrəυ d strəfi/

noun any disorder of cartilage

chondroma /kɒn drəυmə/ noun a tumour

formed of cartilaginous tissue chondromalacia / kɒndrəυmə le ʃə/ noun

degeneration of the cartilage of a joint chondrosarcoma / kɒndrəυsɑ kəυmə/

noun a malignant, rapidly growing tumour involving cartilage cells

chorda / kɔ də/ noun a cord or tendon (NOTE:

The plural is chordae.)

chordae tendineae / kɔ da ten d nia / plural noun tiny fibrous ligaments in the heart which attach the edges of some of the valves to the walls of the ventricles

chordee / kɔ di / noun a painful condition where the erect penis is curved, a complication of gonorrhoea

chorditis /kɔ da t s/ noun inflammation of

the vocal cords

chordotomy /kɔ dɒtəmi/ noun a surgical operation to cut a cord such as a nerve pathway in the spinal cord in order to relieve intractable pain

chorea /kɔ ri ə/ noun a sudden severe twitching, usually of the face and shoulders, which is a symptom of disease of the nervous system

chorion / kɔ riən/ noun a membrane covering the fertilised ovum

chorionic / kɔ ri ɒn k/ adjective referring to the chorion

chorionic gonadotrophin /kɔ ri ɒn k &əυnədəυ trəυf n/ noun human chorionic

gonadotrophin

chorionic villi /kɔ ri ɒn k v la / plural noun tiny finger-like folds in the chorion chorionic villus sampling /kɔ ri ɒn k v ləs sɑ mpl ŋ/ noun an antenatal screening test carried out by examining cells from the chorionic villi of the outer membrane surrounding an embryo, which have the same DNA as the fetus

choroid / kɔ rɔ d/ noun the middle layer of tissue which forms the eyeball, between the sclera and the retina. See illustration at EYE in Supplement

choroiditis / kɔ rɔ da t s/ noun inflamma-

tion of the choroid in the eyeball choroidocyclitis /kɔ rɔ dəυsa kla t s/

noun inflammation of the choroids and ciliary

body

choroid plexus / kɔ rɔ d pleksəs/ noun part of the pia mater, a network of small blood vessels in the ventricles of the brain which produce cerebrospinal fluid. See illustration at EYE in Supplement

Christmas disease / kr sməs d zi z/ noun same as haemophilia B [After Mr Christmas, the person in whom the disease was first studied in detail]

Christmas factor / kr sməs f ktə/ noun same as Factor IX

chrom- /krəυm/ prefix same as chromo-

(used before vowels)

-chromasia /krəme ziə/ suffix referring to

colour

chromatid / krəυmət d/ noun one of two

parallel filaments making up a chromosome chromatin / krəυmət n/ noun a network

which forms the nucleus of a cell and can be

stained with basic dyes

chromatography / krəυmə tɒ&rəfi/ noun a method of separating chemicals through a porous medium, used in analysing compounds and mixtures

chromatophore /krəυ m təfɔ / noun any

pigment-bearing cell in the eyes, hair and skin chromic acid / krəυm k s d/ noun an un-

stable acid existing only in solution or in the form of a salt, sometimes used in the removal of warts

chromicised catgut / krəυm sa zd k t&"t/ noun catgut which is hardened with chromium to make it slower to dissolve in the

body

chromium / krəυmiəm/ noun a metallic trace element (NOTE: The chemical symbol is

Cr.)

chromo- /krəυməυ/ prefix referring to colour chromosomal / krəυmə səυm(ə)l/ adjective referring to chromosomes

chromosomal aberration / krəυmə səυm(ə)l bə re ʃ(ə)n/ noun same as chro-

mosome aberration

chromosome / krəυməsəυm/ noun a rodshaped structure in the nucleus of a cell, formed of DNA, which carries the genes

COMMENT: Each human cell has 46 chromosomes, 23 inherited from each parent. The female has one pair of X chromosomes, and the male one pair of XY chromosomes, which are responsible for the sexual difference. Sperm from a male have either an X or a Y chromosome. If a Y chromosome sperm fertilises the female’s ovum the child will be male.

chromosome aberration / krəυməsəυmbəre ʃ(ə)n/ noun a change from the usual

number or arrangement of chromosomes chromosome mapping / krəυməsəυmm p ŋ/ noun a procedure by which the position of genes on a chromosome is established

chronic / krɒn k/ adjective 1. referring to a disease or condition which lasts for a long time

He has a chronic chest complaint. Opposite acute 2. referring to serious pain (informal) chronic abscess / krɒn k bses/ noun an abscess which develops slowly over a period of time

chronic appendicitis / krɒn k ə pend sa t s/ noun a condition in which the vermiform appendix is always slightly inflamed. grumbling appendix

chronic catarrhal rhinitis / krɒn k kətɑ rəl ra na t s/ noun a persistent form of

inflammation of the nose where excess mucus is secreted by the mucous membrane

chronic fatigue syndrome / krɒn k fə ti & s ndrəυm/ noun same as myalgic en-

cephalomyelitis

chronic glaucoma / krɒn k &lɔ kəυmə/ noun same as open-angle glaucoma

chronic granulomatous disease /

krɒn k &r njυ ləυmətəs d zi z/ noun a type of inflammation where macrophages are converted into epithelial-like cells as a result of infection, as in tuberculosis or sarcoidosis

chronic obstructive airways disease /

krɒn k əb str"kt v eəwe z d zi z/ noun

Abbr COAD. Now called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

/ krɒn k əb str"kt v p"lmən(ə)ri d zi z/ noun any of a group of progressive respiratory disorders where someone experiences loss of lung function and shows little or no response to steroid or bronchodilator drug treatments, e.g. emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Abbr

COPD

chronic pancreatitis / krɒn k p ŋkriə ta t s/ noun a persistent inflammation occurring after repeated attacks of acute pancreatitis, where the gland becomes calcified

chronic periarthritis / krɒn k periɑ θra t s/ noun inflammation of tissues round the shoulder joint. Also called scapulohumeral arthritis

chronic pericarditis / krɒn k perikɑ da t s/ noun a condition in which the pericardium becomes thickened and prevents the heart from functioning normally. Also called constrictive pericarditis

Chronic Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 /krɒn k s k ən d s e b(ə)ld p! s(ə)nz

kt/ noun an Act of Parliament in the UK which provides benefits such as alterations to their homes for people with long-term conditions

chronic toxicity / krɒn k tɒk s s ti/ noun exposure to harmful levels of a toxic substance over a period of time

chrysotherapy / kra səυ θerəpi/ noun treatment which involves gold injections

Chvostek’s sign /tʃə vɒsteks sa n/ noun an indication of tetany, where a spasm is produced if the facial muscles are tapped

chyle /ka l/ noun a fluid in the lymph vessels in the intestine, which contains fat, especially after a meal

chylomicron / ka ləυ ma krɒn/ noun a particle of chyle present in the blood

chyluria /ka ljυəriə/ noun the presence of chyle in the urine