Medical Dictionary Definitions A-Z List
Medical Dictionary Definitions A - Z - «C»:
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Cesarian section, vaginal birth after
Cesarian section, vaginal birth after: It was once the rule that, after a C-section, the next delivery also had to be by C-section. Now, vaginal delivery after Cesarian section (VBAC) is sometimes feasible. Age is one the factors that need to be considered, since women over 30 who try a vaginal deli...
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Ceteris paribus
Ceteris paribus: 1. Literally (in Latin), other things the same.
2. Figuratively, all else being equal (staying the same).
3. In research, the effect of one variable when other factors remain constant.
The ceteris paribus thinking has been that the sharp decline in cirrhosis deaths in Paris durin...
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CF
CF: 1. Cystic fibrosis, one of the most frequent and serious genetic diseases, CF affects the exocrine glands and is characterized by the production of abnormal secretions, leading to mucous build-up.
This accumulation of mucus can impair the pancreas and, secondarily, the intestine. Mucous build-...
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CFS
CFS: Chronic fatigue syndrome....
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CFTR
CFTR: Cystic fibrosis conductance regulator. Mutations in the gene for CFTR are responsible for cystic fibrosis. The CFTR gene is located on chromosome 7....
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Chagas disease
Chagas disease: An infection caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Also called American trypanosomiasis. Transmitted by reduviid bugs, or kissing bugs, that live in cracks and holes of substandard housing primarily found in South and Central America. These insects become infected after biting an...
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Chain-termination codon
Chain-termination codon: A set of three adjacent bases in the DNA or their complementary bases in messenger RNA that specifies the end of a polypeptide chain.
The three chain-termination codons (in messenger RNA) are UAA, UAG, and UGA. They are also called termination codons, stop codons, or nonsen...
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Chalazion
Chalazion: A cyst of the little glands in the eyelids that make a lubricant which they discharge through tiny openings in the edges of the lids. The lubricant is a fatty substance called sebum characteristic of sebaceous glands.
These glands are called the meibomian glands. Inflammation of them is ...
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Chamber, anterior
Chamber, anterior: The space in the eye that is behind the
cornea and in front of the iris.
The cornea is the outer, transparent, dome-like structure that
covers the iris, pupil, and the anterior chamber. The iris is the
colored ring of tissue suspended behind the cornea and immediately in
fro...
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Chamber, posterior
Chamber, posterior: The space in the eye behind the iris
and in front of the lens. The iris is the colored ring of tissue that
regulates the amount of light entering the eye by adjusting the size
of the pupil. The lens is the transparent biconvex body in the eye
that refracts light. (By "biconv...
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Chamomile
Chamomile: An herb often used in the form of a tea as a sedative.
Allergic reactions to chamomile can occur, particularly in persons allergic to ragweed. Reported reactions include abdominal cramps, tongue thickness, tightness in the throat, swelling of the lips, throat and eyes, itching all over th...
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CHAMPUS
CHAMPUS: The Civilian Health and Medical Program of
the Uniformed
Services (in the United States). CHAMPUS is a federally-funded health
program that
provides beneficiaries with medical care supplemental to that
available in military and
Public Health Service (PHS) facilities. All CHAMPUS benefici...
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Chancre
Chancre: The classic painless ulcer of syphilis. The
chancre forms in the first (primary) stage of syphilis. It is highly contagious and can last 1-5 weeks. The disease can be transmitted from contact with the ulcer, which is teeming with spirochetes. If the ulcer is outside of the vagina or on the ...
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Chancroid
Chancroid: A sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Haemophilus ducreyi. Periodic outbreaks of chancroid have occurred in the US, usually in minority populations in the inner cities. This disease is common in sub-Saharan Africa among men who have frequent contact with prostitut...
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Chandipura virus
Chandipura virus: A virus that causes fever, symptoms similar to those of flu, and acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Chandipura virus was first isolated in 1965 in a village in Maharashtra State, India. Since then, the virus has been reported in adjoining states in central India. The l...
