Category: C

  • Crib death

    Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The death of a baby, usually occurring overnight while it is in its cot, from an unidentifiable cause. Some 30% of infant deaths in the US occur in this way. The causes may include virus infections or allergic reactions, but evidence is growing that crib deaths are less likely in…

  • Crepitus

    The grating sensation of the tow ends of a broken bone rubbing together. A harsh crackling sound heard through a stethoscope in a person with inflammation of the lungs. A scratching sound made by a broken bone or rough joint. Noisy release of bowel gas (flatus) from the intestine. Crunching or grinding sounds produced in…

  • Crenation

    An abnormal appearance of red blood cells seen under a microscope, in which the normally smooth cell margins appear crinkly or irregular. Crenation may be a feature of certain blood disorders, but most commonly occurs as a result of prolonged storage of a blood specimen prior to preparation of a blood film. Abnormal microscopic appearance…

  • Cremation

    The incineration of the remains of a dead person. An alternative to burial in which a dead body is disposed of by burning it to ashes. The ashes can be kept by the family or discarded by the crematorium. A physician must examine a body if it is to be cremated in order to prevent…

  • Cremasteric reflex

    The contraction of the scrotum up toward the pelvis when the inner thigh is stimulated. Retraction of the testis when the skin is stroked on the front inner side of the thigh. In the realm of male anatomy, there exists a reflex known as the cremasteric reflex, whereby the cremaster muscle, enveloping the testes and…

  • Cremaster muscle

    The muscle that extends from the testes into the spermatic cord and controls the proximity of the testes to the body. A muscle located within the scrotum that, when it tightens, retracts the testicle.  

  • Cremaster

    The muscles that elevates the testes. One of the fascia-like muscles inside the middle layer of the spermatic cord.  

  • Credit unions

    Employee-operated mutual benefit organizations for savings and low interest loans.  

  • Credit hour

    In education a unit of measure that represents an hour of instruction that can be applied to the total number of hours needed for completing the requirements of degree, diploma, certificate, or other formal award. In most institutions, one credit hour is the equivalent to approximately 15 clock hours.  

  • Credit course

    In education, when successfully complete, can be applied toward the number of courses required for achieving a degree, diploma, certificate, or other formal award.