C
calcareous. Having the nature of lime.
calcification. A degeneration of tissues into salts of calcium or magnesium.
callosity. A circumscribed thickening of the epidermis as a result of friction or intermittent pressure.
cancellous. Resembling lattice work.
canthus. The slit between the eyelids.
capillary. Any one of the small blood vessels which serves to connect an artery and a vein and to allow of the passage of nutrient matter and oxygen from the blood into the tissues and of waste matter from the tissues into the blood.
carboluria. Carbolic acid in the urine.
carbuncle. A phlegmonous inflamation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues.
carcinoma. A malignant epithelial growth.
cardiac. Pertaining to the heart or cardium.
caries. Molecular bone decay.
carotid. The principle artery of the neck.
cartilage. A non-vascular elastic tissue, softer than bone.
cartilaginous. Partaking of the nature of cartilage.
caseation. Transformation of necrotic tissue into a mass resembling cheese.
caseous. Cheesy.
catheter. A hollow cylinder of silver, rubber or other material designed for passage thru the urethra and other channels.
caustic. Corrosive; capable of tissue destruction; syn. escharotic.
cautery. An agent which by heat or chemical action scars tissues.
cavities. Hollows.
cele. Tumor, as in hydrocele, a watery tumor.
cell. A small protoplasmic mass, usually nucleated.
cellular. Composed of cells.
cellulitis. Inflammation of cellular tissue.
cephalic. Head, as in hydrocephalic, water on the head (brain).
chancre. The primary syphilitic manifestation. A syphilitic induration.
Charcot’s disease. A form of tabes.
chemotaxis. The attraction or repulsion exhibited by certain chemicals to living cells.
chimatlon. Mild, chilblain; severe, frost-bite.
chiropodial orthopedics. That branch of podiatry which has to do with the treatment of chronic diseases and deformities of the foot and of the foot joints.
chiropodist. Literally, one who treats the feet and hands. Actually, one who specializes in the treatment of foot lesions not requiring major surgical operative procedures.
chloral. An oily liquid formed by the action of chlorine gas on alcohol.
chlorosis. A form of anemia occurring chiefly in young girls.
chondritis. Inflammation of cartilage.
chondroma. A tumor of cartilage tissue.
chronic. Of long standing.
chyle. The milky fluid found in the mesenteric lymph-vessels as the result of fatty digestion.
cilia. The eyelashes; hairlike processes of certain cells.
circumcision. Removing part or all of the foreskin.
clot. The solid portion resulting from the coagulation of blood.
coagulation. Clotting; in the blood, the result of fibrinogen changing to fibrin.
coalesce. To merge in growth.
coaptation. The fitting together of two opposing surfaces.
cocaine. An alkaloid derived from coca. Useful to produce local anesthesia.
cocci. Round, spheroidal or oval shaped bacteria.
cocoon. Shaped like the protection of the silk-worm larva.
colostomy. Opening into the colon to establish an artificial anus.
collodion. A solution of pyroxylin in ether and alcohol.
compression. Decreasing volume and increasing density by pressure.
concomitant. Accompanying. Accessory.
condyle. A rounded articular surface at the extremity of a long bone.
congenital. Existing at birth.
congestion. Hyperemia of a part.
conjunctiva. The mucous membrane covering the anterior surface of the eyeball.
connective tissue. The uniting tissue of the body.
constitutional. Relating to the system as a whole.
constriction. The act of drawing together, a narrowing or binding.
continuity. Connected; the quality or state of being continuous.
contra. A prefix meaning against.
contused. Bruised.
corium. The deep or connective tissue layer of the skin; the true skin.
cornea. A transparent membrane forming the outer coat of the eyeball.
cornification. Conversion into a hard or horny substance or tissue.
corpuscles. Minute bodies. Primary atoms of the blood.
corrosive. A substance that eats or destroys.
cortex. The external gray layer of the brain; the outer covering in plant life.
cortical. External, in contradistinction to other parts, in tissue or plant.
cosmetic. An agent or a means for beautifying the body.
counterirritant. Means or medications to produce irritation to relieve deeper congestion.
crepitus. The grating of fractured bones.
crisis. A sudden favorable change in the course of an acute disease.
cryptogam. A group of plants without flowers and without embryo—containing seeds.
cuneiform. A wedge-shaped bone found in the carpus (one) and in the tarsus (three).
cupping. Blood-abstraction by means of cupping-glasses.
curette (curet). Spoon-shaped instrument for scraping.
cutis. The skin.
cyanosis. Blue discoloration of the skin from non-oxidation of blood.
cyte. Cell or corpuscle, as in leucocyte, white blood cell.