Glossary

Category: C

  • Corpsman

    An enlisted person in the U.S. Armed Forces who works as a member of the medical team. During duty in the armed forces he or she receives training and experience in one or more health-related fields. In wartime, a corpsman may be assigned as the only medically trained person to a field unit or a…

  • Corpora quadrigemina

    The superior portion of the midbrain consisting of two pairs of rounded bodies, the superior and inferior colliculi.  

  • Coroscopy

    Shadow test to determine refractive error of an eye.  

  • Coronary perfusion pressure

    The blood pressure in the aorta during diastole minus the blood pressure during right atrial diastole. In intensively monitored patients, an indicator of the adequacy of blood flow through the epicardial coronary arteries, e.g., during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Patients whose CPP is > 15 mm Hg during CPR are more likely to regain spontaneous circulation…

  • Coronary flow reserve

    The ratio of the blood flow in the coronary arteries when they are at rest to their blood flow when they are maximally stimulated or dilated.  

  • Coronary blood flow

    The amount of blood perfusing the heart muscle through the coronary arteries. This may be measured by one of several techniques including indicator dilution or use of radioisotopes.  

  • Coronary atherectomy

    A technique of removing obstructions from the coronary artery with a cutting instrument inserted through a cardiac catheter.  

  • Coronary artery spasm

    Intermittent constriction of the large coronary arteries. This may lead to angina pectoris in various conditions and is not necessarily associated with exertion.  

  • Coronary artery scan

    A noninvasive diagnostic computed tomography scan that may identify patients at risk for atherosclerosis and coronary disease episodes by measuring calcium in the coronary arteries.  

  • Coronary artery calcification

    Calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite) in coronary arteries, an indicator of coronary artery atherosclerosis. CAC is found in diseased but not healthy coronary arteries. During ultrafast CT scanning of the heart, tissue densities that exceed 130 Hounsfield units typically contain significant amounts of deposited calcium. The total amount of calcium present in a person’s coronary arteries can…