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

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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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