common bile ductA tube or vessel in the body that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder into the duodenum (the upper part of the small intestine).
Community Acquired InfectionAn infection that occurs without exposure in recent weeks or months to the risk from care in a hospital, clinic, doctor’s office, or home-care treatment…
Community Based Dental Partnership Program (CBDPP)The program within the HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau's Division of Community Based Programs that delivers HIV/AIDS dental care while simultaneously training dental…
Community Forum or Public MeetingA small-group method of collecting information from community members in which a community meeting is used to provide a directed but highly interactive…
Community-based Organization (CBO)An organization that provides services to locally defined populations, which may or may not include populations infected with or affected by HIV disease.
ComorbidityThe condition of having two or more diseases at the same time.
CompanyThe company (also called applicant or sponsor) submits an application to FDA for approval to market a drug product in the United States.
comparative anatomy(kum-PAYR-uh-tiv uh-NA-toh-mee) The comparison of the structure (anatomy) of one animal or plant with the structure of a different animal or plant.
compassionate use trialA way to provide an investigational therapy to a patient who is not eligible to receive that therapy in a clinical trial, but who has a serious or…
complement protein(KOM-pleh-ment PROH-teen) One of a group of about 20 proteins that is found in the blood and is important in fighting infections and other diseases.
complementary and alternative medicine(KOM-pleh-MEN- tuh-ree... all-TER-nuh-tiv MEH-dih-sin) Forms of treatment that are used in addition to (complementary) or instead of (alternative)…
complementary medicine(KOM-pleh-MEN-tuh-ree MEH-dih-sin) Practices often used to enhance or complement standard treatments.
complete blood countA test to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a sample of blood. Also called blood cell count and CBC.
complete hysterectomy(kum-PLEET HIS-teh-REK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove the entire uterus, including the cervix. Also called total hysterectomy.
complete metastasectomy(... meh-TAS-tuh-SEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove all metastases (tumors formed from cells that have spread from the primary tumor).
complete remissionThe disappearance of all signs of cancer in response to treatment. This does not always mean the cancer has been cured. Also called complete response.
complete response(kum-PLEET reh-SPONTS) The disappearance of all signs of cancer in response to treatment. This does not always mean the cancer has been cured.
compliance(kum-PLY-ants) The act of following a medical regimen or schedule correctly and consistently, including taking medicines or following a diet.
ComplicationA medical problem that occurs during a disease or after a procedure or treatment.
Compound(KOM-pownd) In science, a substance that is made up of more than one ingredient.
compound nevus(KOM-pownd NEE-vus) A type of mole formed by groups of nevus cells found in the epidermis and dermis (the two main layers of tissue that make up the skin).
Comprehensive PlanningThe process of determining the organization and delivery of HIV services. This strategy is used by planning bodies to improve decision-making about…
compression bandageA bandage designed to provide pressure to a particular area.
compression pump(kum-PREH-shun â¦) A machine used to keep blood and lymph flowing by pushing air through bands or sleeves that are placed on the arms or legs.
compulsion(kum-PUL-zhun) An uncontrollable urge to say or do something without an obvious reason.
computed tomographic colonography(kum-PYOO-ted toh-muh-GRA-fik KOH-lun-AH-gruh-fee) A procedure in which a detailed picture of the colon is created by an x-ray machine linked to a…
Computed Tomography(kom pyoo' ted to-mog' ruh fee) (CT Scan) the recording of internal body images at a predetermined plane by means of the tomograph.
computed tomography colography(kum-PYOO-ted toh-MAH-gruh-fee koh-LAH-gruh-fee) A method under study to examine the colon by taking a series of x-rays (called a CT scan) and using a…
computed tomography scan(kum-PYOO-ted toh-MAH-gruh-fee skan) A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles.
computerized axial tomography scan(kum-PYOO-teh-RIZED AK-see-ul toh-MAH-gruh-fee skan) A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles.
computerized tomography(kum-PYOO-teh-RIZED toh-MAH-gruh-fee) A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles.
conception(kun-SEP-shun) In biology, the beginning of pregnancy, marked by fertilization of an egg by a sperm.
concurrent therapy(kun-KER-ent THAYR-uh-pee) A treatment that is given at the same time as another.
conditioned response(kun-DIH-shund reh-SPONTS) A type of learning in which repeated exposure to something may affect a person's behavior when they encounter an unrelated…
conditioned stimulusA situation in which one signal, or stimulus, is given just before another signal.
conditioning regimen(con-DIH-shuh-ning REH-jih-men) The treatments used to prepare a patient for stem cell transplantation (a procedure in which a person receives blood stem…
condyloma(KON-dih-LOH-muh) A raised growth on the surface of the genitals caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
cone biopsySurgery to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix and cervical canal. Cone biopsy may be used to diagnose or treat a cervical condition.
Confidence IntervalAn estimated range of values which is likely to include an unknown population parameter. The 95% (p-value = .05) and 99% (p-value = .
Confidence IntervalsThe confidence interval for a hospital's standardized infection ratio (SIR) is the range of possible SIRs within which there is a 95 percent confidence…
confusion(kun-FYOO-zhun) A mental state in which one is not thinking clearly.
Congenital malariaMalaria in a newborn or infant, transmitted from the mother.
congenital mesoblastic nephroma(con-JEH-nih-tul mez-oh-BLAS-tik neh-FROH-muh) A type of kidney tumor that is usually found before birth by ultrasound or within the first 3 months of…
congestive heart failureWeakness of the heart muscle that leads to a buildup of fluid in body tissues.
conization(ko-nih-ZAY-shun) Surgery to remove a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix and cervical canal.
conjunctivaA membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and also covers the front part of the eye. Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva.
conjunctivitisA condition in which the conjunctiva (membranes lining the eyelids and covering the white part of the eye) become inflamed or infected.
connective tissueSupporting tissue that surrounds other tissues and organs. Specialized connective tissue includes bone, cartilage, blood, and fat.
consecutive case seriesA clinical study that includes all eligible patients identified by the researchers during the study registration period.
Consensus Development ProgramA program of the National Institutes of Health to bring together an independent group of experts to review scientific evidence related to an important…
consolidation therapy(kun-SAH-lih-DAY-shun THAYR-uh-pee) A type of high-dose chemotherapy often given as the second phase (after induction therapy) of a cancer treatment…
Consortium/HIV Care ConsortiumA regional or statewide planning entity established by many State grantees under Part B of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program to plan and sometimes…
constipation(KAHN-stih-PAY-shun) A condition in which stool becomes hard, dry, and difficult to pass, and bowel movements don't happen very often.
constitutional acupuncture(KON-stih-TOO-shuh-nul AK-yoo-PUNK-cher) A type of acupuncture based on a form of Oriental medicine in which treatment is based on a person's constitution.
Consumer / healthcare consumerThe consumer is a person who uses healthcare services such as doctor visits, hospital services, laboratory services.
Contact IsolationDesigned to prevent transmission of highly transmissible or epidemiologically important infections that do not warrant strict isolation.
ContagiousEasily spread from one person to another or from one part of the body to another; able to be spread from person to person or living object to nonliving…
contiguous lymphoma(kun-TIG-yoo-us lim-FOH-muh) Lymphoma in which the lymph nodes containing cancer are next to each other.
continent reservoir(KAHN-tih-nent RES-er-vwar) A pouch formed from a piece of small intestine to hold urine after the bladder has been removed.
contingency managementIn medicine, a treatment plan that gives immediate rewards for desired changes in behavior.
continuous hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion(kon-TIN-yoo-us HY-per-THER-mik PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-ul per-FYOO-zhun) A procedure that bathes the abdominal cavity in fluid that contains anticancer drugs.
continuous infusion(kon-TIN-yoo-us in-FYOO-zhun) The administration of a fluid into a blood vessel, usually over a prolonged period of time.
Continuous Quality ImprovementAn ongoing process that involves organization members in monitoring and evaluating programs to continuously improve service delivery.
Continuum of Care(kon-TIN-yoo-um â¦) In medicine, describes the delivery of health care over a period of time.
contraindicationA symptom or medical condition that makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable because a person is likely to have a bad reaction.
contraindications(con'truh in dih ca" shuns) reasons not to take a drug or undergo a treatment.
contralateralHaving to do with the opposite side of the body.
contrast materialA dye or other substance that helps show abnormal areas inside the body. It is given by injection into a vein, by enema, or by mouth.
control animalAn animal in a study that does not receive the treatment being tested. Comparing the health of control animals with the health of treated animals allows…
control groupIn a clinical trial, the group that does not receive the new treatment being studied.
controlled clinical trialA clinical study that includes a comparison (control) group. The comparison group receives a placebo, another treatment, or no treatment at all.
controlled low-voltage electrical stimulation(kun-TROLD loh VOLE-tij ee-LEK-trih-kul STIM-yoo-LAY-shun) A technique in which mild electric currents are applied to some areas of the skin by a small…
controlled studyAn experiment or clinical trial that includes a comparison (control) group.
conventional medicine(kun-VEN-shuh-nul MEH-dih-sin) A system in which medical doctors and other healthcare professionals (such as nurses, pharmacists, and therapists) treat…
conventional therapy(kun-VEN-shuh-nul THAYR-uh-pee) A currently accepted and widely used treatment for a certain type of disease, based on the results of past research.
conventional treatmentA currently accepted and widely used treatment for a certain type of disease, based on the results of past research. Also called conventional therapy.
Coomb's testA laboratory test to identify antibodies that can bind to the surface of red blood cells or platelets and destroy them.
COPDA type of lung disease marked by permanent damage to tissues in the lungs, making it hard to breathe.
cope (kope)To adjust to new situations and overcome problems.
coping skills(KOH-ping skilz) The methods a person uses to deal with stressful situations. These may help a person face a situation, take action, and be flexible and…
copolymer(KOH-pah-lih-mer) A molecule made up of two or more different kinds of small molecules called monomers.
CoQ10A substance found in most tissues in the body, and in many foods. It can also be made in the laboratory.
cordectomy(kor-DEK-toh-mee) An operation on the vocal cords or on the spinal cord.
cordycepinAn anticancer drug that belongs to a family of drugs called antitumor antibiotics.
Core(Kor) the central part of anything, such as the central mass of necrotic matter in a boil.
core biopsy(... BY-op-see) The removal of a tissue sample with a wide needle for examination under a microscope.
Core ServicesGrantee expenditures are limited to core medical services, support services, and administrative expenses.
CorneaThe transparent part of the eye that covers the iris and the pupil and allows light to enter the inside.
cornsA thickening of the skin of the feet or hands, usually caused by pressure against the skin.
coronary artery bypass(KOR-uh-NAYR-ee AR-tuh-ree BY-pas) Surgery in which a healthy blood vessel taken from another part of the body is used to make a new path for blood around…
Coronary Artery DiseaseA narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. It is the leading cause of death in the United States for men and women.
coronary heart disease(KOR-uh-NAYR-ee hart dih-ZEEZ) A disease in which there is a narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries (blood vessels that carry blood and oxygen to…
Coronary Vascular DiseaseRelating to the blood supply to the heart, particularly with reference to pathologic changes.
corticosteroid(KOR-tih-koh-STAYR-oyd) Any steroid hormone made in the adrenal cortex (the outer part of the adrenal gland). They are also made in the laboratory.