Medical terms starting with C

97 entries

• -celeHernia, swelling, or bulging.
• -centesisSurgical puncture to remove fluid.
• -cideKilling or an agent that kills.
• -cusisHearing.
• -cyteCell.
• CADCoronary artery disease: plaque buildup that narrows the arteries supplying the heart muscle; the most common type of…
• calibrationTesting and adjusting an instrument so its readings match known standards.
• calorieA unit of energy in food; the food calorie is a kilocalorie.
• CAMComplementary and alternative medicine: practices used with or instead of conventional medicine.
• caneA single walking aid that improves balance or compensates for weakness.
• capillaryThe smallest blood vessel, where oxygen, nutrients and wastes are exchanged with the tissues.
• capillary puncturePuncturing the skin of a fingertip or infant heel with a lancet to collect a small blood sample, often for…
• capsuleA medication in powder or granules inside a gelatin shell.
• carbohydrateA macronutrient built from sugars that supplies the body with energy.
• carcin/oCancer.
• cardi/oHeart.
• cardiac cycleOne complete heartbeat: contraction (systole) and relaxation (diastole) of the chambers.
• cardiac outputThe amount of blood the heart pumps in one minute.
• care coordinationOrganizing a patient's services across providers and settings so care is complete and continuous.
• carotid pulseThe pulse in the front of the neck on either side of the trachea; check only one side at a time.
• carp/oWrist (carpal bones).
• cartilageSemi-rigid, flexible connective tissue that gives support and smooth surfaces for movement, as in joints.
• case managementAn organized approach to assessing, planning, coordinating and monitoring services for a patient's needs.
• cata-Down or breaking down.
• CBCComplete blood count: a blood test of red cells, white cells, platelets, hemoglobin and hematocrit.
• CBTCognitive behavioral therapy: talk therapy that changes unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
• ccCubic centimeter. Error-prone: misread as u (units); write mL. In charting, capital CC means chief complaint.
• celiac diseaseAn autoimmune disorder in which eating gluten damages the small intestine.
• cellThe smallest independently functioning unit of a living organism.
• centrifugeA machine that spins specimens at high speed to separate serum or plasma from blood cells.
• cephal/oHead.
• cephalic veinA superficial vein on the thumb side of the arm, often used for venipuncture.
• cerebellumThe part of the brain that controls balance, coordination and smooth movement.
• cerebr/oCerebrum; brain.
• cerebrumThe largest part of the brain, responsible for higher functions such as thought, language and voluntary movement.
• certificationA credential earned by meeting education requirements and passing an exam, such as the CCMA.
• cervic/oNeck, or the cervix of the uterus.
• chain of custodyWritten documentation of everyone who handles a specimen, such as for a drug test, from collection to testing, so its…
• chain of infectionThe six linked steps needed for an infection to spread: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of…
• charting by exceptionDocumenting only findings that differ from established normal standards.
• chemical nameA drug name that describes its chemical structure, used mainly by chemists and pharmacists.
• CHFCongestive heart failure: the heart cannot pump enough blood for the body's needs.
• chief complaintA brief statement of the main reason for the visit, usually in the patient's own words.
• child abusePhysical, emotional or sexual harm or neglect of a child.
• chol/eBile or gall.
• cholecyst/oGallbladder.
• cholesterolA fatty substance (sterol) needed for cell membranes and hormones; it is part of the plaque that narrows arteries in…
• chondr/oCartilage.
• chrom/oColor.
• chronicDescribes a condition that lasts a long time or keeps coming back.
• circum-Around.
• civil lawLaw dealing with the rights and relationships between people, such as torts.
• CK-MBCreatine kinase MB: a heart-muscle enzyme in blood that can indicate heart damage.
• CKDChronic kidney disease: gradual loss of kidney function.
• claimA request to a health plan for payment for services provided.
• classical conditioningLearning in which a neutral stimulus becomes linked with one that naturally causes a response.
• clean-catch midstream specimenA urine sample collected after cleansing, by starting to urinate into the toilet and then catching the middle of the…
• CLIAClinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments: federal rules for all labs testing human specimens; waived tests need a…
• closed-ended questionA question answered with yes, no or a short fact.
• clot activatorA tube additive that speeds clotting so serum can be separated; it can interfere with coagulation tests.
• CMS-1500The standard paper claim form for professional (physician and supplier) services; the electronic version is the 837P.
• CNSCentral nervous system: the brain and spinal cord.
• coagulationFormation of a blood clot.
• COBCoordination of benefits: rules that decide which insurer pays first when a patient has more than one plan.
• code of ethicsA set of principles defining the ethical responsibilities of a profession.
• coinsuranceThe patient's share of a covered service, figured as a percentage of the allowed amount.
• col/o, colon/oColon (large intestine).
• con-With or together.
• confidentialityThe ethical and legal duty to protect a patient's private information from unauthorized disclosure.
• contact precautionsGown and gloves for patients with infections spread by touch, such as MRSA or C. difficile.
• contra-Against or opposite.
• contraindicationA reason a drug or treatment should not be used in a particular patient.
• contralateralOn the opposite side of the body.
• copaymentA fixed dollar amount the patient pays for a covered service, usually at the visit.
• COPDChronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways and lungs that makes breathing…
• copingThe ways a person manages stress.
• corticosteroidA medicine that reduces inflammation.
• cost/oRib.
• covered entityUnder HIPAA, a health plan, a health care clearinghouse, or a provider who sends health information electronically for…
• CPOEComputerized provider order entry: the provider enters orders electronically instead of on paper.
• CPRCardiopulmonary resuscitation: chest compressions and rescue breaths for cardiac arrest.
• CPTCurrent Procedural Terminology: the AMA code set for medical services and procedures.
• crani/oSkull.
• criminal lawLaw that defines crimes against society and their punishments.
• CRPC-reactive protein: a blood test that rises with inflammation.
• crutchesWalking aids used by patients who cannot bear full weight on a leg.
• cry/oCold.
• CSFCerebrospinal fluid: the clear fluid around the brain and spinal cord.
• CTComputed tomography: computer-processed cross-sectional x-ray images.
• cultural competenceProviding care that respects and fits patients' cultural values, beliefs and practices.
• cutane/oSkin.
• CVACerebrovascular accident (stroke): brain injury from blocked or bleeding blood vessels.
• CXRChest x-ray.
• cyan/oBlue.
• cyanosisBluish or dusky color of the skin and mucous membranes, usually from low oxygen.
• cyst/oUrinary bladder, or a sac containing fluid.
• cyt/oCell.