Dictionary

coma A state of deep, unarousable unconsciousness. A coma may occur as a result of head trauma, disease, poisoning, or numerous other causes. Coma states are sometimes graded based on the absence or presence of reflexive responses to stimuli.

comedo The primary sign of acne, consisting of a widened hair follicle filled with keratin skin debris, bacteria, and sebum (oil). A comedo may be closed or open. A closed comedo (called a whitehead) has an obstructed opening to the skin and may rupture to cause a low-grade inflammatory skin reaction in the area. An…

comedones The plural of comedo. See also comedo.

comminuted fracture See fracture, comminuted.

common bile duct The duct that carries bile from the gallbladder and liver into the duodenum (upper part of the small intestine). The common bile duct is formed by the junction of the cystic duct, from the gallbladder, and the common hepatic duct, from the liver.

common cold See cold, common. communicable disease

colitis, pseudomembranous Severe inflammation of the inner lining of the colon, usually due to the Clostridium difficile bacterium. Patients taking antibiotics are at particular risk of becoming infected with C. difficile because the natural bacteria of the bowel can usually prevent proliferation of C. difficile, but they are disrupted by antibiotics. A toxin produced by…

colitis, spastic See irritable bowel syndrome.

colitis, ulcerative A bowel disease that is characterized by inflammation with ulcer formation in the lining of colon (large intestine). Its cause is unknown. The end of the colon (the rectum) is generally involved. When limited to the rectum, the disease is called ulcerative proctitis. The inflammation may extend to varying degrees into the upper…

colitis, universal Ulcerative colitis that involves the entire colon (large intestine).

collagen The principal protein of the skin, tendons, cartilage, bone, and connective tissue. Collagen is an essential part of the framework of the design of our various body tissues.

collagen disease A disease that damages collagen or other components of connective tissue. For example, dermatomyositis and systemic lupus erythematosus are collagen diseases.