Glossary

BioScience.com.pk try the best to avoid the use of medical terms that could make it more difficult to understand the information on this website. Still, there are a number of terms that can’t be avoided and that are useful to know because they are so often used by the doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals with whom you might speak. The list below includes the terms used on BioScience.com.pk for which we have provided definitions.

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Term Definition
Central Nervous System

Also known as: CNS

One of the two main divisions of the human nervous system, consisting of the brain and the spinal cord; the other division is the peripheral nervous system.
Catheter

1. long, thin, flexible tube inserted into a body cavity or vessel to allow the passage of fluids
2. thin, flexible tube inserted into a vessel in the body for the purpose of opening (distending) the vessel
Cartilage

Tissue that lines joints to absorb shock; it also forms the shape of the nose and ears.
Carrier

1. Person, generally in apparent good health, who harbours organisms that can infect and cause disease in others
2. Person who has one copy of a recessive disease gene but is not affected themselves
Cardiovascular System

The heart and blood vessels involved in the pumping of blood and the transport of nutrients, oxygen, and waste products throughout the body
Carcinoid tumor

Slow-growing mass that can develop in the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and sometimes the lungs
Carbuncle

A collection of boils caused by an infection of a large area of skin involving several hair follicles and deeper layers of tissue; the area often has several openings for pus drainage and sloughing dead tissue
Carbohydrate

The starches and sugars that are the chief energy sources of the body
Capillary

The tiniest of blood vessels. Through the one-cell-layer-thick walls of capillaries, oxygen and nutrients are delivered to body tissues and carbon dioxide and other wastes are cleared from body tissues.
Calibrate

To adjust the output or reading from a testing device to assure that it gives a correct answer; the adjustment is based on measurement of one or more known substances called standards (or calibrators).
Calcification

Hardening of tissue resulting from the formation of calcium salts
Bronchus

Also known as: Bronchi (plural)


One of the two main branches of the windpipe (trachea) that lead directly to the lungs
Bronchiolitis

Also known as: Croup


Inflamed bronchioles, the smaller airway passages/branches of the lower respiratory tract
Bronchioles

The smaller airway passages/branches of the lower respiratory tract
Bronchiectasis

A condition in which the airways are stretched and/or widened that can be caused by recurrent inflammation or infection of the airways and results in symptoms such as bluish skin, coughing and wheezing, and shortness of breath