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Dictionary of Medical Terms

Gain a better understanding of medical terminology by searching our dictionary of more than 1,300 terms.

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All terms that start with the letter C
  • cleft lip or palate

    A congenital split of the upper lip or roof of the mouth.

  • clitoris

    A small, sensitive erectile organ located in the female at the top of the vulva.

  • Clostridium

    A genus of bacteria that includes the agents capable of causing food poisoning and tetanus.

  • clot

    A jelly-like mass of blood.

  • clubfoot

    A deformity in which the foot is turned inward from its normal position.

  • coal tar

    A by-product of coal used in the treatment of some skin conditions, such as psoriasis.

  • cobalamin

    Vitamin B12.

  • cocaine

    A drug that is made from coca leaves. It can be used by a doctor as a topical anesthetic. It’s…

  • coccyx

    The tailbone.

  • cochlea

    The portion of the inner ear that senses sound.

  • coitus

    Sexual intercourse.

  • cold

    An upper respiratory infection.

  • cold sore

    Herpes simplex infection of the lip.

  • colic

    1. A sudden, spasmodic abdominal pain. 2. In infants, a pattern of excessive crying, apparent abdominal pain and irritability.

  • collagen

    A protein formed in the connective tissue of the body.

  • colon

    The large intestine.

  • Colorado tick fever

    A viral illness spread by ticks. Characterized by headache, backache and fever that begins to break and then returns midway…

  • colostomy

    Surgery that makes an opening to the intestine through the surface of the abdomen. The opening empties the bowels.

  • colostrum

    An antibody-rich fluid released by the breasts for a short time after the birth of a baby, before the true…

  • comedo

    A dark-topped plug of fatty material in the opening of a hair follicle. The color is the result of exposure…

  • communicable disease

    A disease spread through direct contact with an infected person or substance.

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