Dictionary

Conor and Bruch disease See typhus, African tick.

Consanguinity – Close blood relationship, sometimes used to denote human inbreeding. Mating of closely related persons can cause significant genetic disease in offspring. Everyone carries rare recessive genes that, in the company of other genes of the same type, are capable of causing autosomal recessive diseases. First cousins share a set of grandparents, so for…

constipation Infrequent and frequently incomplete bowel movements. Constipation is the opposite of diarrhea and is commonly caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulosis, and medications. Paradoxically, constipation can also be caused by overuse of laxatives. Colon cancer can also narrow the colon and thereby cause constipation. A high-fiber diet can frequently relieve constipation. If the…

continuing medical education See CME.

continuous positive airway pressure A treatment for sleep apnea that involves wearing over the face a breathing mask that forces air through the nasal passages at a steady rate, preventing the airway from collapsing during sleep. Abbreviated CPAP. See also sleep apnea.

contraceptive Something capable of preventing conception from taking place. See also barrier method; birth control; cervical cap; condom; condom, female; condom, male; contraceptive, emergency; contraceptive, implanted; DepoProvera; diaphragm; intrauterine device; oral contraceptive.

condom A barrier method of contraception consisting of a sheath made of latex, lambskin, or other material that collects semen and thereby prevents conception. There are both male and female condoms. When not specified, the term condom usually refers to a male condom. See also barrier method; birth control; condom, female; condom, male.

condom, female A sheath made of plastic or latex that is anchored outside the vagina and lines the interior of the vagina. It collects semen, preventing the semen from reaching the cervix, and thereby preventing conception. It also provides some protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including the HIV virus. See also barrier method; birth control.

condom, male A sheath made of latex, lambskin, or other material that is placed over the erect penis before penetration to collect semen, preventing the semen from reaching the cervix, and thereby preventing conception. When used consistently, a condom is a reasonably reliable method of contraception, especially if it is combined with the use of…

conduction system, cardiac See cardiac conduction system.

condyloma Wartlike growths around the anus, vulva, or glans penis. There are three major types of condyloma, each of which is sexually transmitted: condyloma acuminatum (warts around the vulva), condyloma latum (a form of secondary syphilis), and condyloma subcutaneum (also known as molluscum contagiosum).

condyloma acuminatum A sexually transmitted disorder characterized by wartlike growths around the vulva. See also genital warts.