Dictionary

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.

collapsed lung See atelectasis.

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…

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.

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 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.

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.

colon cancer See cancer, colon.

colon cancer prevention Measures taken to prevent the formation of colon cancer. Colorectal cancer can run in families. The risk of colon cancer is increased for a person whose immediate family member (parent, sibling, or child) had colorectal cancer. It is increased further for a person who has had more than one such relative with…

Colon polyps are benign growths on the lining of the large intestine that do not invade surrounding tissue or metastasize.​ Characteristics These polyps protrude into the colon lumen and are often asymptomatic, detected during routine colonoscopy. They include types like adenomatous (precancerous), hyperplastic (usually harmless), and inflammatory, with sizes ranging from diminutive (<5 mm) to…

colonic irrigation See irrigation of the colon.

colonoscope A flexible, lighted instrument used to view the inside of the colon.