Dictionary

congenital hypothyroidism See cretinism.

congenital malformation A physical defect present in a baby at birth that can involve many different parts of the body, including the brain, heart, lungs, liver, bones, and intestinal tract. Congenital malformation can be genetic, it can result from exposure of the fetus to a malforming agent (such as alcohol), or it can be of…

communicable disease A disease caused by an infectious organism.

communication disorder A disorder of the speech apparatus and/or of the mental faculties used to speak or communicate by other means. Treatment includes speech therapy and other interventions, as appropriate, for the underlying condition. See also aphasia; apraxia of speech; articulation disorder; autism; cluttering; speech disorder; stuttering.

comorbid Occurring together. For example, if a person has both Crohn’s disease and stomach ulcers, these are comorbid conditions.

compassionate use A term used in the US for a method of providing experimental treatments, generally for very ill individuals who have no other treatment options, prior to final FDA approval for use in humans.

complementary medicine A group of diagnostic and therapeutic disciplines that are used together with conventional medicine. An example of a complementary therapy is using aromatherapy to help lessen a patient’s discomfort following surgery. Complementary medicine is traditionally not taught or used in Western medical schools or hospitals. Complementary medicine includes a large number of practices…

complete androgen insensitivity syndrome An older term for the complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, a genetic disorder that makes XY fetuses insensitive (unresponsive) to androgens (male hormones). Instead, they are born looking externally like normal girls. Internally, there is a short blind-pouch vagina and no uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries. There are testes in the abdomen…

complete blood count See CBC.

complete hysterectomy See hysterectomy, total.

complete syndactyly See syndactyly, complete.

complication In medicine, an unanticipated problem that arises following, and is a result of, a procedure, treatment, or illness. A complication is so named because it complicates the situation.