Dictionary

Caffey disease An inflammatory bone disorder seen only in newborn and very young babies, characterized by swelling of soft tissues, irritability, fever, and paleness. Also known as infantile cortical hyperostosis.

caffeine A stimulant compound found naturally in coffee, tea, cocoa (chocolate), and kola nuts (cola) and added to soft drinks, foods, and medicines. Caffeine can cause anxiety, insomnia, nervousness, and hypertension. Caffeine is a diuretic and increases urination. It can decrease a person’s ability to lose weight because it stimulates insulin secretion, which reduces blood…

café au lait spot A flat spot on the skin that has a color similar to that of coffee with milk (café au lait) in persons with light skin or that has a darker appearance than the surrounding skin in persons with dark skin. About 10 percent of the general population has café au lait…

caesarean section, vaginal birth after A vaginal delivery for a woman who previously had a caesarean section. It was once the rule that after a caesarean section, the next delivery also had to be by caesarean section. Now vaginal delivery after caesarean section is sometimes feasible. Age is one of the factors that need to…

caesarean section, lower segment A caesarean section in which the surgical incision is made in the lower segment of the uterus. Abbreviated LSCS.

caesarean section A procedure in which an infant is surgically removed from the uterus rather than being born vaginally. Caesarean sections were performed in ancient civilizations to salvage babies upon the death of nearly full-term pregnant women. Julius Caesar is said to have been born by this procedure, hence the name. The term section in…

caduceus A staff with two snakes entwined about it, topped by a pair of wings. The caduceus was carried by the Greek messenger god Hermes, whose Roman counterpart was Mercury, and is therefore the sign of a herald. By a curious misconception, the caduceus also became the insignia of the US Army Medical Corps and…

CAD Coronary artery disease.

cachexia General physical wasting with loss of weight and muscle mass due to a disease. Also known as marasmus.

cachetic Having cachexia. Patients with cancer, AIDS, and other serious chronic diseases may appear cachetic. See also cachexia.

CABG Coronary artery bypass graft. See bypass, coronary.

CA 125 Cancer antigen 125, a protein normally made by certain cells in the body, including those of the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and lining of the chest and abdominal cavities (the pleura and peritoneum). When CA 125 is found in higher than normal amounts (more than 35 kU/ml), it is considered a marker…