Dictionary

colon cancer See cancer, colon.

colon The long, coiled, tubelike organ that removes water from digested food. The remaining material, solid waste called stool, moves through the colon to the rectum and leaves the body through the anus. Also known as large bowel and large intestine.

collateral knee ligament, medial A ligament on the inner side of the knee joint. The medial collateral knee ligament adds stability and strength to the knee joint. Abbreviated MCL.

collateral knee ligament, lateral A ligament that straps the outside of the knee joint and provides stability and strength to the knee joint. Abbreviated LCL.

collateral 1 In anatomy, a subordinate or accessory part. 2 A side branch, as of a blood vessel or nerve. After a coronary artery occlusion, collateral vessels often develop to shunt blood around the blockage.

collarbone A horizontal bone above the first rib that makes up the front part of the shoulder. Also known as the clavicle, the collarbone links the breastbone (sternum) with the scapula, a triangular bone in the back of the shoulder. One end of the collarbone connects to the sternum, forming one side of the sternoclavicular…

collapsed lung See atelectasis.

collagen injection The practice of injecting collagen into a part of the face or body (often the lips) to make it larger. The effects are long-lasting but not permanent. Collagen injections are usually done by plastic surgeons.

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

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.

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

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…