Healthcare — page 11 of 69

Healthcare terms

1001. carnitine A substance made in the muscles and liver, and also found in certain foods such as meat, poultry, fish, and some dairy products.
1002. carotenoid A substance found in yellow and orange fruits and vegetables and in dark green, leafy vegetables. Carotenoids may reduce the risk of developing cancer.
1003. carotenoids (kuh-RAH-tuh-noydz): Pigments made by plants that are commonly found in orange fruits and vegetables and some dark, green vegetables.
1004. carotid artery (kuh-RAH-tid AR-tuh-ree) A major artery that carries blood from the heart to the head.
1005. carrier oil (KAYR-ee-er...) An oil with little or no scent that is used to dilute or "carry" essential oils (scented liquid taken from plants).
1006. Carriers A company that provides health insurance plans.
1007. Cartilage (KAR-tih-lij) A tough, flexible tissue that lines joints and gives structure to the nose, ears, larynx, and other parts of the body.
1008. carzelesin An anticancer drug that belongs to the family of drugs called alkylating agents.
1009. case report A detailed report of the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of an individual patient.
1010. case series A group or series of case reports involving patients who were given similar treatment.
1011. case-control study A study that compares two groups of people: those with the disease or condition under study (cases) and a very similar group of people who do not have the…
1012. caspofungin acetate A drug used to prevent or treat infections caused by a fungus (a type of microorganism). It belongs to the family of drugs called antifungal agents.
1013. Castleman disease (KA-sel-man dih-ZEEZ) A rare disorder in which noncancerous growths develop in lymph node tissue.
1014. castration Removal or destruction of the testicles or ovaries using radiation, surgery, or drugs.
1015. CAT scan A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles. The pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine.
1016. CAT-8015 A monoclonal antibody linked to a toxic substance. It is being studied in the treatment of some types of B-cell cancer. CAT-8015 is made in the laboratory.
1017. cataract (KA-tuh-RAKT) A condition in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Symptoms include blurred, cloudy, or double vision; sensitivity to light; and…
1018. Catastrophic Health Insurance Catastrophic health insurance is a type of health insurance that typically has very high deductibles.
1019. Catastrophic Health Plan Health plans that meet all of the requirements applicable to other Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) but that don't cover any benefits other than 3 primary…
1020. Catastrophic Plan A catastrophic plan covers an individual or family in the event of a major medical emergency.
1021. catechol (ka-tuh-KOL) A chemical originally isolated from a type of mimosa tree. Catechol is used as an astringent, an antiseptic, and in photography…
1022. catecholamine (ka-tuh-KOH-luh-meen) A type of neurohormone (a chemical that is made by nerve cells and used to send signals to other cells).
1023. Catheter (KA-theh-ter) A flexible tube used to deliver fluids into or withdraw fluids from the body.
1024. Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) (CAUTI) Infection involving any part of the urinary system, including urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidney that is caused by the insertion of a urinary catheter.
1025. cauterize (KAW-teh-RIZE) To destroy tissue using a hot or cold instrument, an electrical current, or a chemical that burns or dissolves the tissue.
1026. cavity (KA-vih-tee) A hollow area or hole. It may describe a body cavity (such as the space within the abdomen) or a hole in a tooth caused by decay.
1027. CBC A test to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood.
1028. cBR96-doxorubicin immunoconjugate (... DOK-soh-ROO-bih-sin IH-myoo-noh-KON-juh-gayt) A substance being studied in the treatment of cancer.
1029. CC-1088 A drug that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is similar but not identical to thalidomide.
1030. CC-4047 A substance being studied in the treatment of prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, and other types of cancer. CC-4047 is a form of the drug thalidomide.
1031. CC-49 A type of monoclonal antibody used in cancer detection or therapy. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced substances that can locate and bind to…
1032. CC-5013 A drug that is similar to thalidomide, and is used to treat multiple myeloma and certain types of anemia.
1033. CC-8490 A substance that is being studied in the treatment of brain cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called benzopyrans.
1034. CC49-streptavidin A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is made by combining the monoclonal antibody CC49 with a chemical called streptavidin.
1035. CCI-779 A drug used to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma (a type of kidney cancer). It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
1036. cCLB8 A chimeric (made from human and mouse proteins) monoclonal antibody being studied in the treatment of advanced kidney cancer and other types of cancer.
1037. CD134 A protein being studied in the treatment of cancer. Substances that attach to CD134 on the surface of T cells (a type of white blood cell) may help the T…
1038. CD34 antigen A protein found on the surface of some bone marrow and blood cells.
1039. CD40-ligand A substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It binds to certain immune cells and may suppress cancer growth.
1040. CDDO A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer. CDDO may block enzymes involved in inflammation and cancer growth.
1041. CDK inhibitor AT7519M (... in-HIH-bih-ter ...) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
1042. CEA A substance that is sometimes found in an increased amount in the blood of people who have certain cancers, other diseases, or who smoke.
1043. CEA assay A laboratory test to measure carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a substance that is sometimes found in an increased amount in the blood of people who have…
1044. cecum (SEE-kum) A pouch that forms the first part of the large intestine. It connects the small intestine to the colon, which is part of the large intestine.
1045. cedarwood (SEE-der-WOOD) A type of evergreen tree with hard fragrant wood that is a member of the cypress family.
1046. cediranib (seh-DIR-uh-nib) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
1047. cefepime A drug used to treat infection. It belongs to the family of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics.
1048. cefixime An antibiotic drug used to treat infection. It belongs to the family of drugs called cephalosporins.
1049. ceftriaxone A drug used to treat infection. It belongs to the family of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics.
1050. celecoxib (SEL-uh-KOK-sib) A drug that reduces pain. Celecoxib belongs to the family of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents.
1051. Celexa A drug used to treat depression. It belongs to the families of drugs called antidepressant agents and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
1052. celiac disease A digestive disease that is caused by an immune response to a protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, rye, barley, and oats.
1053. cell (sel) The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.
1054. Cell culture (SEL KUL-chur) The growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast, or human, plant, or animal cells in the laboratory.
1055. cell cycle (SEL SY-kul) The process a cell goes through each time it divides. The cell cycle consists of a series of steps during which the chromosomes and other…
1056. cell differentiation The process during which young, immature (unspecialized) cells take on individual characteristics and reach their mature (specialized) form and function.
1057. cell motility The ability of a cell to move.
1058. cell proliferation (SEL proh-LIH-fuh-RAY-shun) An increase in the number of cells as a result of cell growth and cell division.
1059. cell respiration A chemical process in which oxygen is used to make energy from carbohydrates (sugars).
1060. cell-cycle regulation Any process that controls the series of events by which a cell goes through the cell cycle.
1061. cell-to-cell signaling The transfer of information from one cell to another.
1062. CellCept (SEL-sept) A drug used to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after organ transplants.
1063. cellular adhesion (SEL-yoo-ler ad-HEE-zhun) The close adherence (bonding) to adjoining cell surfaces.
1064. cellular adoptive immunotherapy (SEL-yoo-ler uh-DOP-tiv IH-myoo-noh-THAYR-uh-pee) A treatment used to help the immune system fight cancer.
1065. cellular metabolism (SEL-yoo-ler meh-TA-buh-lih-zum) The sum of all chemical changes that take place in a cell through which energy and basic components are provided for…
1066. cellulitis An acute, spreading infection of the deep tissues of the skin and muscle that causes the skin to become warm and tender and may also cause fever, chills…
1067. Cellulose (SEL-yoo-lose) A building block of plant cells and fiber. Cellulose cannot be digested by people, and is used to add bulk to the diet.
1068. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (CDC) One of the foremost national agencies in the world that serves to support and advance public health.
1069. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (CMS) A federal agency that runs the national health insurance programs Medicare and Medicaid
1070. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (CDC) A division of Department of Health and Human Services.
1071. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (CMS) The federal agency that runs the Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance Programs, and the federally facilitated Marketplace.
1072. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) (CMS) A division of Department of Health and Human Services.
1073. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (CMS) Federal agency within HHS that administers the Medicaid, Medicare, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
1074. centimeter (SEN-tih-MEE-ter) A measure of length in the metric system. There are 100 centimeters in a meter and 2½ centimeters in an inch.
1075. Central Line A central line is a flexible tube that is inserted near a patient's heart or into one of the large blood vessels near the heart.
1076. Central line catheter A long flexible tube that is inserted into a large blood vessel near the heart.
1077. Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI) (CLABSI) Central line-associated bloodstream infections can result if an intravenous catheter is inserted incorrectly or not cared for properly.
1078. Central Nervous System (SEN-trul NER-vus SIS-tem) The brain and spinal cord. Also called CNS.
1079. central nervous system metastasis (SEN-trul NER-vus SIS-tem meh-TAS-tuh-sis) Cancer that has spread from the original (primary) tumor to the central nervous system (CNS).
1080. central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal tumor (SEN-trul NER-vus SIS-tem PRI-muh-tiv NOOR-oh-EK-toh-DER-mul TOO-mer) A type of cancer that arises from a particular type of cell within the brain or…
1081. central nervous system prophylaxis (SEN-trul NER-vus SIS-tem pro-fih-LAK-sis) Chemotherapy or radiation therapy given to the central nervous system (CNS) as a preventive treatment.
1082. central nervous system sanctuary therapy (SEN-trul NER-vus SIS-tem SANK-choo-WAYR-ee THAYR-uh-pee) Chemotherapy or radiation therapy given to the central nervous system (CNS) as a preventive…
1083. central nervous system tumor (SEN-trul NER-vus SIS-tem TOO-mer) A tumor of the central nervous system, including brain stem glioma, craniopharyngioma, medulloblastoma, and meningioma.
1084. central venous access catheter (SEN-trul VEE-nus AK-ses KA-theh-ter) A tube surgically placed into a blood vessel for the purpose of giving intravenous fluid and drugs.
1085. CEP-2563 dihydrochloride (... dy-HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A substance being studied in the treatment of some types of cancer.
1086. CEP-701 A drug being studied in the treatment of acute leukemias and some other types of cancer.
1087. cephalexin An antibiotic drug that belongs to the family of drugs called cephalosporins.
1088. cephalosporin A drug used to treat bacterial infections. It belongs to the family of drugs called antibiotics.
1089. ceramide A type of fat produced in the body. It may cause some types of cells to die and is being studied in cancer treatment.
1090. cerebellar hemangioblastoma (ser-eh-BEH-ler hee-MAN-jee-OH-blas-TOH-muh) A benign, slow-growing tumor in the cerebellum (part of the brain at the back of the head), made up of…
1091. cerebellopontine (SER-uh-BEL-o-PON-teen) Having to do with two structures of the brain, the cerebellum (located at the lower back of the brain) and the pons (located at…
1092. cerebellum (ser-uh-BEL-um) The portion of the brain in the back of the head between the cerebrum and the brain stem.
1093. cerebral hemisphere (seh-REE-bral HEM-is-feer) One half of the cerebrum, the part of the brain that controls muscle functions and also controls speech, thought, emotions…
1094. Cerebral malaria A severemalaria syndrome in which infected red blood cells obstruct blood circulation in the small blood vessels in the brain and/or release cytokines…
1095. Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA, Stroke) Impaired cerebral blood supply.
1096. Cerebrospinal fluid (seh-REE-broh-SPY-nul...) The fluid that flows in and around the hollow spaces of the brain and spinal cord, and between two of the meninges (the thin…
1097. cerebrospinal fluid diversion A process used to drain fluid that has built up around the brain and spinal cord.
1098. Cerebrovascular Disease Relating to the blood supply to the brain, particularly with reference to pathologic changes such as stroke and other cognitive deficits.
1099. cerebrum (seh-REE-brum) The largest part of the brain. It is divided into two hemispheres, or halves, called the cerebral hemispheres.
1100. Certificate of Coverage A document issued to a member of a group health insurance plan showing evidence of participation in the insurance.