Category: Cb-Ch
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Cholecystokinin
Abbreviated CCK. A polypeptide hormone that stimulates the contraction of the gallbladder with release of bile and the secretion of pancreatic enzymes into the small intestine. CCK is secreted by cells lining the upper intestine and by the hypothalamus. Hypothalamic cholecystokinin is a neurotransmitter. Called also pancreozymin.
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Cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gallbladder. Cholecystitis is a complication of gallstones, and it is frequently associated with infection in the gallbladder. Risk factors for cholecystitis include age, obesity, female gender, multiple pregnancies, use of birth control pills, and heredity. The most common symptom is pain in the upper abdomen, although some patients have no symptoms. Diagnosis can be made with ultrasound of the abdomen.…
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Cholecyst
The gallbladder. The word cholecyst is not much used today but it figures into a number of other terms to do with the gallbladder Cholecystectomy is removal of the gallbladder. Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder. Cholecystogram is an x-ray of the gallbladder. Cholecyst, literally, means, bilebladder. It comes from chol, referring to bile + cyst, a bladder.Cholecystectomy
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Cholecalciferol
Vitamin D3.
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Cholangi-
Relating to a bile duct. From the Greek chole meaning bile + a(n)geion meaning a vessel = a bile vessel.
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Chloroform
A clear, volatile liquid with a strong smell similar to that of ether. Chloroform was once administered by inhalation to produce anesthesia, given to relieve pain, and used as a remedy for cough. It is quite toxic to the kidneys and the liver.
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Chloride
The major anion (negatively charged substance) in the blood and extracellular fluid (the body fluid that lies outside cells). Blood and other body fluids have almost the same concentration of chloride ion as sea water. The balance of chloride ion (Cl–) is closely regulated by the body. Significant increases or decreases in chloride can have deleterious and…
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Chloral hydrate
A prescription sedative/hypnotic drug developed in the 19th century. The drug acts rapidly and induces sleep within 60 minutes, and is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Chloral hydrate can be taken orally in syrup or capsule form and is also available in the form of rectal suppositories. The medical use of chloral hydrate has declined over the years…
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Chlamydia trachomatis
A bacterium that causes a disease called trachoma that results in blindness so frequently that it places a huge burden a year on world health funding ($25 billion in the year 2000). The disease goes by a number of names such as sandy blight. The transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis is mainly among children and from children to…
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Chiropractor
A chiropractic practitioner. Becoming a doctor of chiropractic (DC) requires a minimum of 2 years of college and 4 years in a school of chiropractic medicine. Some chiropractors also earn a traditional medical degree (MD) or other additional qualifications. Not all chiropractors are alike in their practice. The International Chiropractors Association believes that patients should be treated…