Medical Terminology List - C

Medical Terms

 C

 1. Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG): CABG or coronary artery bypass surgery is a procedure, used to treat CAD (coronary artery disease) means narrowing of the coronary arteries. This surgery used to improve blood flow to the heart by diverting blood around a blocked artery. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)is a type of surgery that improves blood flow to the heart for those people who have severe coronary heart disease (CHD) or coronary artery disease.

2. Calcification: It is an accumulation of calcium salt in body tissue or build-up of calcium deposits in soft tissue and causing it to harden. The build-up of calcium can form hardened deposits in soft tissues, arteries, and other areas. It is often seen in coronary arteries by x-ray or cardiac CT scans or in breast tissue by mammography.

3. Calcium Channel Blockers: Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) a class of drug used to treat high blood pressure. This class of medications that lower blood pressure, slows the heart rate, and decreases the heart's need for oxygen by blocking the movement of calcium into the heart and the muscle cells surrounding blood vessels.

The activity of calcium causes the heart and arteries to contract more strongly. By blocking calcium, calcium channel blockers allow dilates the arteries, blood vessels to relax, reduces the pressure of the artery. They are also called calcium antagonists.

 

4. Callus: A callus is an area of thickened and hardened area of skin that forms because of repeated friction, pressure, or irritation on the skin. The layer of the skin becomes hardened and thick after repeated friction, often developed on hands and fingers or bottom of feet and toes.

5. Cachexia- Cachexia is a condition is “wasting” a disorder that causes extreme weight loss and muscle wasting. It is a symptom often associated with many chronic conditions, such as malignant neoplasm (cancer), chronic renal failure, HIV, and multiple sclerosis.

 

6. Calcification- Accumulation of calcium salts in a tissue. It normally occurs in bone formation. It is normal in bone, but abnormal in other tissue, calcium can be deposited abnormally in soft tissue, causing it to harden.

 

7. Calculus (calculi) – often called a Stone such as - renal calculi, gallstone. It usually mineral salts, that forms in an organ or duct of the body.

 

8. Callus - Callus is an area of thickened skin that forms as a response to repeated friction, pressure or newly formed immature bone, for example as in heal fracture. Calluses are most often found on the feet and hands skin.

9. Cancer- It is a disease in which abnormal cell growth in the body’s cells with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. It is also termed a malignant tumour.

 

10. Carbuncle- A carbuncle is a red, swollen, and a painful cluster of boils, large pus-filled swelling usually on the skin, that are connected to each other under the skin.

 

11. Carcinogenesis- Also called oncogenesis, is the formation of cancer, whereby normal cells are transformed into cancer cells.

Carcinogenesis involving a multistage and multistep process to modification and mutation to genes that regulate the normal cellular function, cell growth control processes.

 

12.  Carcinoid- A type of low grade (grade 1) and slow-growing cancer of glands.

 

13.  Carcinoma- Carcinoma is a malignant epithelial neoplasm type of cancer, that begins in the epithelial tissue of the skin, or in the tissue that lines internal organs, such as the liver or kidneys. Carcinomas are abnormal cells that divide without control, it is the most common type of cancer.

 

14. Carcinoma in situ (CIS)-  A malignant epithelial neoplasm that has not yet invaded or spread to any nearby tissues surrounding the area.

The words “in situ” mean "in its original position or place". Carcinoma in situ refers to cancer in which abnormal cells have not spread surrounding area where they first formed.

15. Caseation – Type of necrosis in which conversion of damaged tissue into a soft cheesy substance. A condition characteristically associated with tuberculosis.

 

16. CD (Antigens)- cluster of differentiation, used for the identification and investigation of cell surface molecules. It is a standard numerical coding scheme for antigens on cells. Cell surface antigens of leukocytes are termed CD antigens.

 

17. Cellulitis- Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and soft tissues beneath the skin. It is a kind of acute inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue. The affected area of skin appears swollen and red and is typically painful, warm, and tender to the touch.

 

18. Centromere – A centromere is a constricted region of a chromosome that separates it into a short arm (p) and a long arm (q) means at which chromatids are joined.

 

19. Cestode-  A class of parasitic worms, ribbon-like worm as an adult, known tapeworm.

 

 

20. Chemotaxis- Migration of cell-induced by some chemical influence or stimulus.

 

21. Cholestasis - A Condition in which the flow of bile from the liver reduced or stops. Reduce or absent bile flow is usually due to obstruction can be caused by a liver infection, gallstones.

 

22. Chronic- Any illness persisting for long time, for example, chronic inflammation, contrast with acute.

23. Carcinogenesis - Process by which formation of a cancer, normal healthy cells are transformed into cancer cells. Occurred abnormal cell division and has acquired malignant properties.

 

24. Commensal- An organism that uses food supplied, essential nutrients  in the internal or the external environment of the host. For example Commensal bacteria are part of the normal flora in the mouth.

 

25. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) - Precancer stage of cervical cancer. Growth of abnormal cells in the narrow neck of a woman's uterus (in surface of cervix).

 

26. Cirrhosis (liver)-  Scarring of live due to chronic lever damage. Late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by several liver disorders, diseases and conditions.

 

27. Clot (blood)- Clump of blood

Changed from a liquid to semisolid state (gel-like), blood coagulated outside the blood vessel. (contrast with thrombus)

Blood clot that forms inside blood vessels veins or arteries is called a thrombus.

28. Coagulation- Process of conversion of soluble fibrinogen to fibrin by enzymes thrombin (clot formation).

29. Coagulative- Solidification of material

power to cause coagulation or have property of coagulating.

 

For example- blood coagulation

Coagulative necrosis; typically severe ischemia and infarction (loss of blood supply results in tissue anoxia) causes necrosis, cell death.

30. Coarctation - Coarctation of the aorta is a birth defect (congenital) in which narrowing or constriction in a portion of the aorta.  Coarctations are generally occurs in the aortic arch.

 

31. Comminuted fracture- bone broken into more than two fragments at fracture site. This type of degree of fractures occur after high velocity trauma such as such as car accidents.

32. Complications - Secondary events arises from to the primary disease. For example- fracture involves adjacent nerves and or blood vessels.

33. Condyloma-  Condyloma is the medical term used for genital warts. Genital condyloma, also known as genital warts caused by a common sexually transmitted infection. It is soft, noncancerous growths form on the outside on the skin or inside of vagina or anus, or inside the cervix.

A wart is a raised  small growth on skin caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) which can appear anywhere on the body. 

34. Congenital - Congenital disorder also known as birth defect. A congenital disorder is a medical condition of birth defect that is present at or before birth, not necessarily genetics or inherited. It can be acquired during the fetal (between the embryonic stage and birth) stage of development.

 

35. Congestion – “engorgement with blood” (state of a part of the body that filled with a liquid). This condition causing parts is too blocked causing difficulties.

For examples nasal congestion; stuffy nose - an abnormal or excessive accumulation of body fluid due to Excess mucus and secretions in the air passages of the nose.

36. Consolidation- Process of making more solid. For example, solidification of lung tissue; lung tissue that has filled with liquid instead of air,  usually by inflammatory exudates; a feature of pneumonia.

37. Cyst - Sac-like pocket or cavity, it containing fluid, air, or other material.

38. Cytokines - Cytokines are proteins substance produced by cells. Cytokines are signaling molecules, an essential part of the inflammatory process and pathological conditions as well as mediate normal cellular processes of the body.

39. Cytopathic - Structural changes (changes cell morphology) in host cells that are caused by viral invasion called the cytopathic effect.

40. Cytotoxic- Substance or process which causing cell damage, cell injury or cell death.

1. Fibrinoid-  Resembling fibrin when stained.  It is formed in the walls of blood vessels and in connective tissue in some pathological conditions. For example, normally occurs in the Placental fibrinoids.

Fibrinoid necrosis is penetrating in endothelial and damage arteries wall and weakening of the arterial walls caused due to chronic hypertension. Fibrinoid necrosis is a pattern of irreversible cell death, and uncontrolled cell death.

2. Fibrinous -  Rich in fibrin, an insoluble protein. It forming an interlacing fibrous network in the coagulation of blood.  Fibrin is formed from fibrinogen, a soluble protein.

 For example, fibrinous exudates, exudate containing mainly a large amount of fibrinogen and fibrin is described as fibrinous.

3. Fibroid/ Leiomyoma - Fibroids are non-cancerous growths of (benign) tumour arises from smooth muscle. The most common forms occur in the abnormal growth that develops in the uterus, small bowel, and esophagus. The causes of fibroids are not known.

4. Fibromatosis - Fibromatosis is a condition where fibrous overgrowths of dermal and subcutaneous connective tissue cause skin disease due to excessive collagen in the skin, that develop and turn into tumors called fibromas (benign tumors, composed of fibrous or connective tissue). These fibromas are usually benign (non-cancerous). For example- Palmar fibromatosis

1. Heamatocrit-  Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in the whole blood volume. We know that blood consists of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets suspended in a fluid portion is called plasma. The hematocrit is a ratio of the volume of red blood cells (RBCs) to the volume of all these components together, is called whole blood. The value of heamatocrit is expressed as a percentage or fraction.

 

For example, a hematocrit test value of 25% means that there are 25 milliliters of red blood cells in 100 milliliters of whole blood.

Similarly, a hematocrit test value of 40% means that there are 40 milliliters of red blood cells in 100 milliliters of whole blood.

2. Haematoma/ hematoma –  A hematoma is defined as an abnormal collection of blood outside of a blood vessel. Most commonly, it occurs because of the injury or damage of the wall of a blood vessel, artery, vein, or capillary, and blood has leaked (seep out) from  blood vessel into the surrounding tissues.

For example, subdural haematomas - a hematoma between the brain tissue and the inside lining of the brain.

Hematoma is enclosed bleeding within the surrounding tissues, while hemorrhage can be internal (inside the body) or external (visible out the outside of the body).  

1. Karyolysis - Complete disintegration of a cell nucleus. Dissolution of the nuclear components (chromatin) of a dying cell due to enzymatic degradation.

2. Karyorrhexis - “Nuclear fragmentation in necrotic cells”. A stage of cell death (cellular necrosis) that involves fragmentation of a cell nucleus. The nucleus breaks down into small dark beads of damaged chromatin and distributed irregularly throughout the cytoplasm. Karyolysis occurs after the karyorrhexis.

3. Karyotype - it is a laboratory technique process that produces an image of an individual's chromosomes. The karyotype is used to look for a description of a number of chromosomes, abnormal numbers of chromosomes or structures, and shape of chromosomes within a cell.

 

4. Koilocytosis -  Vacuolation (formation of vacuoles or vacuole-like structure) of epithelial cells, for example, seen in human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (HPV-infected epithelial cells).

Koilocytes (halo cells) are a type of epithelial cell that develops a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. 

 1. Malformation- Developmental abnormality of the body due to abnormal embryonic or fetal development or abnormally formed part of the body.

For example, cleft lip and cleft palate; abnormality of shape, structural defect, or congenital malformation.

 

2. Malignant/ Malignancy - Characterization of cancer (severe, fatal, serious)

For example,  malignant tumours are cancerous.

 

3. Metaplasia - Reversible replacement or change from one mature cell type to another cell type. Or

Transformation of one differentiated somatic cell type with another differentiated somatic cell type in the same tissue.

For example, Intestinal metaplasia; a condition where the stomach cells lining transform into cells that resemble those found in the intestine cell s.

4. Metastasis –Spreading of cancer cells to new areas of the body from where it started.

For example,  metastatic cancer, or metastatic tumor; spread from the primary site of origin into different locations of the body.

1. Occult – Defined as hidden, abnormality which is not observable.

For example; Occult blood, blood in the stool (hematochezia).

 

2. Oedema/edema - “fluid retention”

 Excess collection of fluid between cells.

Or, abnormal accumulation of fluid within body tissue or a body cavity.

"Third-spacing” occurs when too much fluid shifted from the intravascular space (blood vessels) into the interstitial space or "third" space (nonfunctional area between cells).

An example of serious third spacing is "ascites". It is an abnormal build-up of fluid in the abdomen (peritoneal cavity).

3. Oma - Suffix with the organ name as the root for “tumour” except for - granuloma,  atheroma, stoma (opening on the abdomen), etc.

For example, leiomyoma (benign tumor of smooth muscle cells)

 

4. Oncogene- Gene that is a mutated (changed) that has the potential to cause cancer, responsible for tumor growth.

 

5.  Oncogenesis – Oncogenesis is a mechanism, through which healthy cells get become transformed into cancer cells. This process causation of tumors benign and malignant.

 (carcinogenesis – formation of a cancer,  only malignant tumor)

 

6. Opportunist (pathogen)- An infectious microorganism (pathogen) that is normally a commensal or usually harmless its host but can cause disease in an individual when the host's resistance is low or with impaired  immunity or whose natural flora have been altered.

Candida albicans are examples of opportunistic pathogens - a causal agent of opportunistic oral and genital infections in humans.

Candida usually resides on the skin and inside the body (live as a commensal in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary), places such as the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina.

 

7. Osis - state or condition or affected with something or diseased condition or increase, usually pathological.

For example – osteoarthrosis (type of arthritis), narcosis, acidosis, cirrhosis.

 R

1. Recessive - Recessive refers to the relationship between two versions of a gene. Individuals receive two versions of each gene, known as an allele, from each parent. If the alleles are different, the dominant allele of gene will be expressed, it is the dominant gene, while the effect of the other allele, called recessive (hidden) is masked. It is characteristic of a gene of which both copies are necessary for it to express.

 

Dominant able to express in both homozygous and heterozygous conditions.

Homozygous (two identical copies of alleles for a specific gene. for example – TT, tt )

Heterozygous having two different alleles of a particular gene. for example- Tt )

2. Recurrence- "Occurring again"

For example, the reappearance of cancer cells at the same site or in another after removal.

 

3. Regeneration – Process of replacing or restoring damaged cells in which formation of new cells identical to those cells have lost.

 T

1. Tamponade (cardiac) - Compression of the heart caused by fluid collecting in the sac surrounding the heart, usually by excess pericardial fluid or fibrosis.

 

2. Telangiectasia – Condition in which widened or dilated venules (small blood vessel) cause threadlike red lines patterns on the skin. Also known as spider veins, due to web-like appearance.

V

1. Varicose - Swollen, distended, twisted, and enlarged, as a result of poor or lack of blood circulation, especially referring to a blood vessel (especially in the vein of leg caused by valve failure, often appearing blue or dark purple.

Example - varicose vein

X

1. Xenograft – Xenograft is an organ transplantation from one species to another. For example, baboon (monkeys) to human.

2. Xantho - Prefix “yellow”, For example, xanthoma; fatty growths develop underneath the skin, specially the knees and elbows  (yellow tumor).  Commonly occur due to disturbance in lipid metabolism.