Medical Glossary

Terms starting with C

Calcium: Calcium is a mineral that is important for bones, teeth, muscles and nerve function. The calcium level in the blood is measured frequently because both excessively high and excessively low values can cause symptoms.
CephalgiaCephalgie: Cephalgia is the medical term for headache. Headaches may be harmless and temporary, or a sign of a condition that requires treatment.
Cerebral: «Cerebral» means «relating to the brain». The term is often used in contexts such as cerebral blood flow or a cerebral event.
ChemotherapyChemotherapie: Chemotherapy is a treatment with medicines that act mainly against rapidly growing cells and is frequently used for cancer. It can be given on its own or together with surgery and radiotherapy.
CholangiographyCholangiographie: Cholangiography is an imaging technique used to visualise the bile ducts, often with a contrast agent. It helps to identify stones, narrowings or other causes of impaired bile drainage.
CholecystitisCholezystitis: Cholecystitis is the term for an inflammation of the gallbladder, often triggered by gallstones. Typical complaints are pain in the right upper abdomen, nausea and fever.
CholestasisCholestase: Cholestasis means an impaired flow of bile from the liver into the intestine. The resulting build-up may become noticeable through yellowing of the skin, dark urine and itching, among other signs.
CholesterolCholesterin: Cholesterol is a fatty substance that the body needs for cell walls and hormones; it is partly produced by the body itself and partly taken in through food. Raised levels are considered a risk factor for deposits in the blood vessels.
chronicchronifiziert: «Chronified» means that a problem that was originally temporary, such as pain, has become permanent. One then speaks of chronified symptoms, which require longer-term treatment.
chronicchronisch: «Chronic» describes a condition that begins slowly and persists over a long period — often permanently — in contrast to «acute». Chronic illnesses such as diabetes are usually managed over the long term.
Colitis: Colitis refers to an inflammation of the large intestine, which may be accompanied by diarrhoea, abdominal pain and sometimes blood in the stool. A well-known chronic form is ulcerative colitis.
Compliance: Compliance describes how well someone follows an agreed treatment, for example taking medicines regularly. Today the term «adherence» is often preferred, as it emphasises the active involvement of the patient.
Computed tomographyComputertomographie: Computed tomography is an X-ray procedure that uses many images taken from different directions to produce detailed cross-sectional pictures of the inside of the body. It is well suited for showing bones, organs and bleeding.
ConcussionCommotio: Commotio, commonly called concussion, is a mild and usually temporary disturbance of brain function after a blow or a fall on the head. Possible signs are brief loss of consciousness, headache, nausea and gaps in memory.
ContusionContusio: Contusio is the medical term for a bruise, that is, a blunt injury to tissue without an open wound. Typical features are pain, swelling and a haematoma at the affected site.
COPD: COPD is the abbreviation for a chronic lung disease in which the airways are permanently narrowed and damaged. Those affected suffer above all from coughing, sputum and shortness of breath; smoking is the most common cause.
CoronaryCoronar: «Coronary» refers to the coronary vessels, which supply the heart muscle with blood. Coronary heart disease develops when these vessels become narrowed.
Cortex: The cortex is the outer layer of an organ, such as the cerebral cortex or the renal cortex. In structure and function it differs from the inner region, known as the medulla.
CortisolCortisol: Cortisol is a hormone produced by the body in the adrenal cortex; it regulates metabolism and helps the body cope with stress. Both a deficiency and an excess can cause symptoms.
CRP: CRP is a protein in the blood whose level rises with inflammation and infection. Doctors use it as an indication of whether an inflammatory process is taking place in the body and how pronounced it is.
CT: CT is the common abbreviation for computed tomography, an X-ray procedure that produces cross-sectional images of the body. It is often used for the rapid assessment of injuries, tumours or bleeding.
CT angiographyCT-Angiographie: CT angiography is a computed tomography scan with contrast medium that specifically shows the blood vessels. It helps to detect narrowings, blockages or bulges in vessels.
Cystitis: Cystitis is inflammation of the urinary bladder, usually caused by bacteria. Typical symptoms are a frequent urge to urinate, burning when passing water and pain in the lower abdomen.
SurgeryChirurgie: Surgery is the specialty that treats diseases and injuries mainly by means of operations. It comprises numerous subspecialties such as abdominal, trauma or vascular surgery.
surgicalchirurgisch: «Surgical» means «relating to an operation» or «by operative means». Surgical treatment is in contrast to purely medicinal or conservative therapy.