Medical terms - Letter C (page 7) | MedicalVocabulary.org

Caspase 3

An enzyme that plays a key role in programmed cell death, or apoptosis. Caspase 3 has been called the 'henchman that goes around and executes the cell.' It is a member of the family of asparate-specific cysteinyl…
Caspase-3

See: Caspase 3
Cassette

A pre-existing structure into which an insert can be moved. In molecular biology, a gene conversion process in which the old gene is replaced with a copy of a silent gene and the new copy becomes active. As the process…
Cast

1) A protective shell of plaster and bandage molded to protect a broken or fractured limb as it heals. 2) An abnormal mass of dead cells that forms in a body cavity
Casting, serial

The use of successive casts to reshape deformed or spastic limbs
Castleman disease

A disorder of lymphoid tissue (lymphadenopathy) with massive overgrowth (hyperplasia) of lymph nodes ('swollen glands'), most commonly affecting the nodes between the lungs (in the mediastinum). There are two quite…
Castration

Removal of the sex glands, usually used to indicate removal of the male testicles
Cat cry syndrome

A disorder caused by the loss of part of the short (p) arm from chromosome 5. Also called the cri du chat (or cri-du-chat) syndrome. The cat cry syndrome is one of the most common human deletion syndromes with an…
Cat eye syndrome

A constitutional chromosome abnormality (one that is present at or before birth) with multiple malformations characterized by the combination of a cat-like slit of the iris of the eye (vertical coloboma) and no anal…
CAT scan

4 cel ODYvAlign=top bgColor=#cccccc colSpan=2> vAlign=top width='100%' bgColor=#ffffff>Our CAT scan Main Article provides a comprehensive look at the who, what, when and how of CAT scan CAT scan: Pictures of structures…
CAT scan, helical

CAT scan, helical: A conventional computerized axial tomography scan (CAT scan or CT scan) is an x-ray procedure which combines many x-ray images with the aid of a computer to generate cross-sectional views and, if…
CAT scan, spiral

A conventional computerized axial tomography scan (CAT scan or CT scan) is an x-ray procedure which combines many x-ray images with the aid of a computer to generate cross-sectional views and, if needed…
Cat scratch disease

Cat scratch disease: A bacterial infection due to a cat scratch seen most often today in people with HIV. The disease characteristically presents with swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenitis), sore throat, fatigue, and…
Cat scratch fever

A bacterial infection due to a cat scratch seen most often today in people with HIV. The disease characteristically presents with swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenitis), sore throat, fatigue, and fever, chills, sweats…
Catabolism

The energy-burning aspect of metabolism
Catalepsy

The state of persisting in unusual postures or facial expressions, regardless of outside stimuli, as is seen in schizophrenia and some other diseases of the nervous system
Catalysis

The process by which a substance speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed or altered in the process. Substances that can accomplish this remarkable feat are termed catalysts and are of immense importance in…
Catalyst

A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction but is not consumed or altered in the process. Catalysts are of immense importance in chemistry and biology. All enzymes are catalysts that expedite the biochemical…
Catamenia

Menstruation
Cataplasm

A poultice or plaster. A soft moist mass, often warm and medicated, that is spread over the skin to treat an inflamed, aching or painful area, to improve the circulation, etc. From the Greek kataplasma, poultice, from…
Cataplexy

A debilitating medical condition in which a person suddenly feels weak and collapses at moments of strong emotion such as laughter, anger, fear or surprise. In so collapsing, people with cataplexy may injure themselves…
Cataract

A clouding of the lens of the eye. The normally clear aspirin-sized lens of the eye starts to become cloudy. The result is much like smearing grease over the lens of a camera. It impairs normal vision. NTER> There are…
Cataract surgery

Cataract surgery: Removal of the clouded lens (the cataract) in its entirety by surgery, usually followed by replacement of the lens with an intraocular lens (IOL) made of plastic, silicone, acrylic or other material…
Cataract with poikiloderma atrophicans

Also known as the Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, this is an hereditary disease characterized by progressive degeneration (atrophy), scarring and abnormal pigmentation of the skin together with stunting of growth, baldness…
Cataract, nuclear

A cataract that occurs in the center (the nucleus) of the lens. See: Cataract
Cataract, primary

A cataract that develops independently of other diseases. A primary cataract is in contrast to a secondary cataract, one that is secondary to another disease
Cataract, secondary

A cataract that develops secondary to another disease or surgery. The other disease may, for example, be glaucoma or retinal detachment. A secondary cataract is in contrast to a primary cataract, one that develops…
Cataract, supranuclear

A cataract just above the center (the nucleus) of the lens. See: Cataract
Catatonic

1. Characterized by marked motor abnormalities including immobility (catalepsy or stupor), excessive motor activity (purposeless agitation), extreme negativism, mutism, posturing or stereotyped movements, echolalia…
Catechol-O-methyltransferase

COMT. An enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of catecholamines, including the neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. COMT is also important in the metabolism of catechol drugs used in the…
Catecholamine

Pronounced cat·e·chol·amine. An amine derived from the amino acid tyrosine -- examples include epinephrine (adrenaline), norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and dopamine -- that act as hormones or neurotransmitters. There…
Category 1 storm

See: Category two hurricane.
Category 2 storm

See: Category two hurricane
Category 3 storm

See: Category three hurricane
Category 4 storm

See: Category four hurricane
Category 5 storm

See: Category five hurricane
Category five hurricane

A hurricane with winds greater than 155 mph (135 kt or 249 km/hr). Storm surge generally greater than 18 ft above normal. Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building…
Category four hurricane

A hurricane with winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt or 210-249 km/hr). Storm surge generally 13-18 ft above normal. More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences. Shrubs…
Category one hurricane

A hurricane with winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt or 119-153 km/hr). Storm surge generally 4-5 ft above normal. No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some…
Category three hurricane

A hurricane with winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209 km/hr). Storm surge generally 9-12 ft above normal. Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures…
Category two hurricane

A hurricane with winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt or 154-177 km/hr). Storm surge generally 6-8 feet above normal. Some roofing material, door, and window damage of buildings. Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with…
Cathartic

A laxative
Catheter

A thin, flexible tube. For example, a catheter placed in a vein provides a pathway for giving drugs, nutrients, fluids, or blood products. Samples of blood can also be withdrawn through the catheter. The catheter was…
Catheter, central

A catheter (a tube) that is passed through a vein to end up in the thoracic (chest) portion of the vena cava (the large vein returning blood to the heart) or in the right atrium of the heart. Central catheters have a…
Catheter, central venous

A catheter (tube) that is passed through a vein to end up in the thoracic (chest) portion of the vena cava (the large vein returning blood to the heart) or in the right atrium of the heart. Central venous catheters have…
Catheter, Foley

A flexible plastic tube (a catheter) inserted into the bladder to provide continuous urinary drainage. The 'Foley' has a balloon on the bladder end. After the catheter is inserted in the bladder, the balloon is inflated…
Catheter, hemodialysis

A venous catheter used for hemodialysis (dialysis of the blood). A hemodialysis catheter is a type of central venous catheter. It may be inserted into the subclavian, internal jugular, or femoral veins. Subclavian…
Catheter, indwelling bladder

A flexible plastic tube (a catheter) inserted into the bladder that remains ('dwells') there to provide continuous urinary drainage. The principal type of indwelling bladder catheter is the 'Foley' which has a balloon…
Catheter, pulmonary artery

A light flexible balloon-tipped tube that is introduced into the pulmonary artery (the artery from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs). See also: Catheter, Swann-Ganz
Catheter, Swan-Ganz

The insertion of a tiny tube (a catheter) into a peripheral or central vein to deliver fluids or medication. This is the most frequently used method for the administration of intravenous (IV) fluids and IV meds…