C - Glossary of Terms

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C - Glossary of Terms

CABG	acronym standing for coronary artery bypass graft
caecum	(se´kum) latin = blind; the pouch like portion of the large intestine to which the ileum of the small intestine is attached.
calyx	(ka´liks) a cup-shaped portion of the renal pelvis that encircles a renal papilla.
calcaneus	latin calx = heel, hence the heel bone of the foot, located at the back of the tarsus.
calcar	(kal-kar) latin = a spur.
calcar avis	(kal-kar avis) a spur-like elevation.
calcarine	spur-shaped.
calcareous	(kal-kar'e-us) consisting of or containing lime or calcium
calcific	(kal-sif'ik) having or forming lime or calcium salts
calcification	The process by which noncellular material in the body becomes hardened due to deposits of calcium and other materials.
calcium score	A number reflecting the degree and extent of calcium deposits in the walls of the coronary arteries, as demonstrated by cardiac computed tomography.
calculus	(kal'ku-lus) abnormal concretion formed in any part of body, usually in various reservoirs of body and in their passages; eg biliary calculi or gallstones located mainly in the gallbladder and in biliary ducts, urinary calculi located in any part of urinary tract
calf	the soft tissue region at the back of the lower leg.
calipers	An instrument with two bent or curved legs used for measuring the thickness of a solid.
callosum	latin callum = hard.
callous	(kal'us) Hard, as in a thickened area of skin.
callus	(kal'us) Substance deposited around the healing fragments of fractured bone and ultimately converted into bone as it repairs.
calorie (c)	The energy necessary to raise the temperature of 1gam of water 1 degree celsius.
calvaria	latin calva = bald head, hence the part of the skull containing the brain - i.e. cranium minus the facial skeleton.
calyx	latin = a wine-cup (plural - calyces).
canaliculus	(kan´´ua-lik´yuu-lus) a microscopic channel in bone tissue that connects lacunae.
canal of schlemm	(shlem) see scleral venous sinus.
cancer	(kan-ser) a tumor characterized by abnormally rapid cell division and the loss of specialized tissue characteristics. General term frequently used to indicate any of various types of malignant neoplasms
cancellous	(can sell-us) adjective, latin cancelli = grating or lattice. (see cortical, trabeculea)
cancellous bone	(can'sell-us bone) - cancellous or spongy bone is found at ends of long bones & makes up the greater part of cuboidal bones. - cancellous bone is formed in layers and is therefore lamellar bone.
canthus	greek kanthos - used at first for rim of eye, then angle between ends of rims
canula	(kan'u-lah) small, tubular instrument used for insertion, usually with a torcar, into a body cavity.
cannulation	(kanu-la'shun) Insertion of a cannula into a body orifice or cavity.
canthus	(Kan'thus) Angle on each side of eye where upper and lower eyelids meet.
capacitor discharge unit	A mobile X-ray generating unit that operates by storing electricity in a capacitor. The electricity may then be discharged through an X-ray tube.
capillary	(kap´i-lar´´e) latin capillaris = hair-like. a microscopic blood vessel that connects an arteriole and a venule; the functional unit of the circulatory system.
capitate	adjective, Latin capitis = of a head
capitulum	Latin = head.
capsule	Latin capsa = box, hence an enclosing sheet.
carcinoma	(karsi-no'mah) Cancer of the epithelial (rather than connective tissue) origin
cardia	(kar'de-ah) Latin=heart
cardio	(kar'de-o) Prefix indicating in relation to the heart.
cardiac catheterization	(kar´de-ak) A diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is placed in a vein in the leg or arm and advanced to the heart to check for blood pressure within the heart, oxygen in the blood, and/or pumping ability of the heart muscle.
cardiac muscle	(kar´de-ak) Muscle of the heart, consisting of striated muscle cells. these cells are interconnected into a mass called the myocardium.
cardiac output	(kar´de-ak) The volume of blood pumped per minute by either the right or left ventricle.
cardiac pacemaker	(kar´de-ak) An electrical device, often implanted, that maintains a normal heart rhythm by stimulating the heart muscle.
cardiac tamponade	cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening condition caused by fluid under pressure around the heart. fluid that collects in the pericardial sac (the tissue sac in which the heart lies) can develop enough pressure to prevent the heart from relaxing completely between beats. usually, this fluid has accumulated rapidly, and the increase in pericardial pressure causes a sudden decrease in cardiac output
cardioangiography	(karde-o-anje-og'rafe) radiographic demonstration of heart and great vessels during injection of opaque contrast medium
cardiogenic shock	(kar´´de-o-jen´ik) shock that results from low cardiac output in heart disease.
cardiologist	A physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.
cardiophrenic angle	The angle formed by the heart "cardio" and the diaphragm "phrenic".
cardiospasm	(kar'de-o-spazm) Spasmodic contraction of cardiac sphincter of stomach.
caries	(ka'ri-ez) molecular decay and subsequent suppuration of bone, gradual disintegration as distinguished from mass destruction from necrosis, eg tooth decay.
carina	A ridge at the tracheal bifurcation, formed by the last tracheal cartilage that runs anteroposteriorly between the orifices of the two main bronchi - from "carina" - the "v" shape of the bottom of a boat.
C-arm	A portable device for fluoroscopy. The opposite ends of the C-shaped support arm hold the image intensifier and the X-ray tube.
carotid artery	(ka-rot-id ar-ter-e) Major arterial blood vessel running through either side of the neck, which supply blood to the brain.
carotid bifurcation	the point of division of the common carotid arteries into the internal and external carotid arteries.
carotid sinus	(kua-rot´id) an expanded portion of the internal carotid artery located immediately above the point of branching from the external carotid artery. the carotid sinus contains baroreceptors that monitor blood pressure.
carpus	(kar´pus) greek=wrist. the proximal portion of the hand that contains the eight carpal bones.
caseation	Form of necrosis in which the tissue is changed into a dry, amorphous mass resembling cheese.
cassette	A light-tight container for holding a radiographic film during exposure, a rigid holder that contains the film and the screens.
cassette-loaded spot film	The conventional method of capturing images used with image-intensified fluoroscopes.
cata	(kat'ah) prefix signifying down lower, against, in accordance with, eg catabasis.
catamenial	Pertaining to menstruation.
cathartic	(ka-thar'tik) A substance that causes evacuation of the bowel.
catheter	(kath-e-ter) A tubular instrument to allow passage of fluid from or into a body cavity. Urinary catheter designed to be passed through the urethra into the bladder to drain it of retained urine. A flexible, hollow plastic or rubber tube that may be passed into a blood vessel to withdraw fluids or inject medicine or contrast materials.
catheter angiography	An examination of blood vessels by injecting contrast material directly into an artery through a small plastic tube.
catheter-directed thrombolysis	A procedure in which a catheter is inserted through the skin into a vessel and directed to a blood clot in a fistula or graft of a hemodialysis patient. A medication or mechanical device delivered via the catheter is used to break up the clot and restore blood flow.
cathode	The negatively charged electrode of an X-ray tube carrying the filament and focusing cup and from which electrons are discharged towards the target contained in the anode electrode.
cathode rays	A strean of electrons.
cathode ray tube (CRT)	An electron beam tube designed for two-dimensional display of signals.
cartilage	(kar´ti-lij) latin = gristle; a type of connective tissue with a solid elastic matrix.
cartilaginous joint	(kar´´ti-laj´in-nus) a joint that lacks a joint cavity, permitting little movement between the bones held together by cartilage.
cauda	(kaw'dah) tail or tail-shaped appendage eg cauda equina the tail-like termination of the spinal cord consisting of sacral nerves.
caudad	(kaw'dad) In a caudal direction toward the tail, opposite of cephalad.
cauda equina	(kaw´da e-kwi´na) the lower end of the spinal cord where the roots of spinal nerves have a tail-like appearance.
caudal	(kaw´dal) nearer the tail (or where it would be). the kidneys are caudal to the diaghpram.
caudate nucleus	(kaw'date) Part of the "deep gray matter", this group of neurons helps control coordinated limb movements. The caudate is part of the "basal ganglia" and "corpus striatum"
cauterize	(kaw-ter-ize)To use heat, usually from radiofrequency energy or a laser, to destroy tissue or seal blood vessels.
cavitation	Formation of cavities, as in pulmonary tuberculosis or neoplasm.
cele	(sel) Suffix signifying tumor or hernia eg cystocele a hernial protusion of the urinary bladder.
celiac, coeliac	(se'le-ak) Pertaining to the abdomen, eg celiotomy a surgical incision into the abdominal cavity.
celiac artery	(se'le-ak) The artery which originates from the abdominal aorta and divides into the left gastric, splenic and common hepatic arteries.
cell	(sel) the structural and functional unit of an organism; the smallest structure capable of performing all the functions necessary for life.
cell cloning	The process of normal cells producing a visible colony in a short time.
cell cycle time	The average time from one mitosis to another.
cell theory	The principle that all plants and animals contain cells as their basic functional units.
cellulitis	(selu-litis) Inflammation of connective cellular tissue, especially of subcutaneous areas.
cementum	(se-men´tum) bone like material that binds the root of a tooth to the periodontal membrane of the bony socket.
centesis	(sen-te'sis) Surgical puncture of a cavity, tapping.
centi	(sen'ti) Prefix denoting a hundred or hundredth part, used mainly in the metric system eg centimetre.
centigrade	(sen'ti-grad) temperature scale graduated into equal divisions. 0 is the freezing point of water and 100 is the boiling point.
central axis X-ray beam	An X-ray beam composed of X-rays traveling along the centre of the useful X-ray beam.
central canal	an elongated longitudinal channel in the centre of an osteon in bone tissue that contains branches of the nutrient vessels and a nerve; also called a haversian canal.
central nervous system	Part of the nervous system consisting of the brain and the spinal cord.
central nervous system syndrome	A form of acute radiation syndrome caused by radiation doses of 50 Gy (5000 rad) or more of ionising radiation that results in the failure of the central nervous system, followed by death within a few hours to several days.
central processing unit (CPU)	The processing hardware in computers.
central ray	The centre of the X-ray beam that interacts with the image receptor.
centrifugal force	The force that causes an electron to travel straight and leave the atom.
centripetal force	The force that keeps an electron in orbit.
cephalad	(sef'al-ad) In a cranial direction, toward the head, opposite of caudad.
cephalic	(sef'al-ic) Nearer to, or pertaining to the head.
cephalic vein	(sef'al-ic) Originates from the dorsal venous arch in the hand and joins the axillary vein.
cephalo	(sef'al-o) Prefix indicating relation to cranium.
cerebellar peduncle	(ser-e-bel´ar pe-dung´k'l) an aggregation of nerve fibers connecting the cerebellum with the brain stem.
cerebellum	(ser-e-bel´um) the portion of the brain concerned with the coordination of skeletal muscle contraction. part of the metencephalon, it consists of two hemispheres and a central vermis.
cerebral	(ser'e-bral) Relating to the brain.
cerebral arterial circle	(ser´e-bral) An arterial vessel that encircles the pituitary gland. it provides alternate routes for blood to reach the brain should a carotid or vertebral artery become occluded; also called the circle of willis.
cerebral peduncles	(ser-e-bral pe-dung´k'l) A paired bundle of nerve fibers along the inferior surface of the midbrain that conduct impulses between the pons and the cerebral hemispheres.
cerebro	(ser'e-bro) Prefix indicating relation to the brain eg cerebrospinal relates to the brain and spinal cord.
cerebrospinal fluid	(ser´´e-bro-spi´nal) a fluid produced by the choroid plexus of the ventricles of the brain. it fills the ventricles and surrounds the central nervous system in association with the meninges.
cerebrum	(ser´e-brum) the largest portion of the brain, composed of the right and left hemispheres.
ceruminous gland	(sue-roo´mu-nus) a specialized integumentary gland that secretes cerumen, or earwax, into the external auditory canal.
cervical	(ser´vi-kal) pertaining to the neck or a necklike portion of an organ.
cervical ganglion	(ser'vi-kal gang´gle-on) a cluster of postganglionic sympathetic nerve cell bodies located in the neck, near the cervical vertebrae.
cervical plexus	(ser'vi-kal plek´sus) a network of spinal nerves formed by the anterior branches of the first four cervical nerves.
cervical spine	(ser'vi-kal spy-ne') Verterbral column of the neck,
cervico	(ser'vi-ko) Prefix indicating relation to neck or to cervix of any organ.
cervix	(ser´viks) latin = neck; 1.the narrow neck like portion of an organ. 2.the inferior end of the uterus that adjoins the vagina (cervix of the uterus).
characteristic curve	A curve expressing the relationship between radiation exposure to the film/screen combination and the resulting optical density.
characteristic radiation	Discrete electromagnetic radiation is released as electrons move from higher (outer) to lower (inner) electron energy shells in an excited atom. Energy of the x-ray is unique to the element, therefore “characteristic”. The energy of a characteristic x-ray is equal to the difference in binding energy of the two electron shells involved in the transition.
charged coupled device (CCD)	A solid-state device that converts visible light photons to electrons.
chelate	A sequestering agent.
chemical energy	The energy released by a chemical reaction.
chemical fog	An artifact produced by chemical contamination of the developer.
chemical symbol	The alphabetical abbreviation of an element.
chemotherapy	(kem-o-ther-a-pe) Treatment of disease by means of chemical substances or drugs; usually used in reference to neoplastic (cancer) disease.
cheyne-stokes respiration	(ch-an´st-okes´ res´´pu-ra´shun) breathing characterized by rhythmic waxing and waning of the depth of respiration, with regularly occurring periods of apnea (failure to breathe).
chiasma	(ki-as´ma) a crossing of nerve tracts from one side of the cns to the other; also called a chiasm.
chip	A tiny piece of semiconductor material.
choanae	(ko-a´ne) greek = funnel, plural - choanae; the two posterior openings from the nasal cavity into the nasal pharynx; also called the internal nares.
cholangeitis, cholangitis	(kolan-ji'tis) Inflammation of the bile ducts.
cholangiography	(ko-lanje-og'ra-fe) Radiographic demonstration of bile ducts after they have been filled with radiopaque contrast medium.
chole	(kol'e) Prefix signifying relation to bile or to biliary tract, eg cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder.
cholecystitis	(kole-sis-ti'tis) Inflammation of the gallbladder.
cholecystography	(kole-sis-tog'ra-fe) Radiographic demonstration of gallbladder following administration of substance that makes the organ radiopaque.
choledochogram	(ko-led-o'ko-gram) Radiograph of common bile duct while it is filled with contrast medium.
choledochography	(ko-led-o-kog'ra-fe) Radiographic demonstration of common bile duct while it is filled with opaque medium administered by ingestion or injection.
choledochus	(ko-led'o-kus) Common bile duct.
cholegraphy	(ko-leg'ra-fi) Radiologic examination of biliary tract by means of contrast medium.
cholelithiasis	(kole-li-thi'a-sis) being affected with cacluli in the bile duct.
cholesteatoma	(koles-te-a-to'mah) Tumor containing cholesterol and fatty tissue, occuring in the middle ear.
chondro	(kon'dro) Prefix signifying relation to cartilage eg chondroma is a benign tumor composed of cartilage.
chondroblastic	Forming cartilaginous tissue.
chorea	(ko-re'ah) A nervous disease characterised by spasmodic twitching of muscles most common in children.
chorion	(ko're-on) Outer membrane of protective covering that envelops the fetus.
choroid	The vascular membrane between the sclera and the retina of the eye, that extends from the ora serrata to the optic nerve.
choroid plexus	Highly vascular secretary tissue found within the ventricular system in the brain, responsible for secreting cerebral spinal fluid.
chondrocranium	(kon´´dro-kra´ne-um) the portion of the skull that supports the brain. it is derived from endochondral bone.
chordae tendineae	(kor´de ten-din´e-e) chordlike tendinous bands that connect papillary muscles to the leaflets of the atrioventricular valves within the ventricles of the heart.
chorea	(kuo-re´-ua) the occurrence of a wide variety of rapid, complex, jerky movements that appear to be well coordinated but that are performed involuntarily.
chorion	an extraembryonic membrane that participates in the formation of the placenta.
chromatid deletion	The breakage of a chromatid.
choroid	(kor´oid) adjective, greek chorion = skin and eidos = shape or form, hence, like a membrane
choroid plexus	a mass of vascular capillaries from which cerebrospinal fluid is secreted into the ventricles of the brain.
chronic	(Kron'ik) Continuing for a long time eg a chronic disease is one that is characterised by a protracted course, opposite of acute.
chyme	(k-eye-m) greek = juice. the mass of partially digested food that passes from the pylorus of the stomach into the duodenum of the small intestine.
cicatrical	(sik'a-trish'al) Pertaining to or having character of a scar or cicatrix.
cicatrix	(sik'a-triks) Scar or scar like mark, contracted fibrious tissue that formsat site of a wound during the process of healing.
cilia	(sil´e-ua) latin cilia = eyelashes; microscopic hair like processes that move in a wavelike manner on the exposed surfaces of certain epithelial cells.
ciliary body	(sil´e-er´´e) a portion of the choroid layer of the eye that secretes aqueous humor. it contains the ciliary muscle.
cine film	The film used in cinefluorography.
cinefluorography	The recording of fluoroscopic images on movie film.
circadian rhythms	(ser´´kua-de´an) physiological changes that repeat at about 24-hour intervals. these are often synchronized with changes in the external environment, such as the day-night cycles.
circle of willis	The polygonal (hexagon/pentagon) anastomoses that is made up of the internal carotid, anterior and posterior cerebral arteries, the anterior communicating artery and the posterior communicating arteries all in the region of the suprasellar cistern.
circumduction	(ser´´kum-duk´shun) a movement of a body part that outlines a cone, such that the distal end moves in a circle while the proximal portion remains relatively stable.
circumflex artery	(serkum-flex) Any of several paired curving arteries.
cirrhosis	(sir-o´sis) liver disease characterized by loss of normal microscopic structure, which is replaced by fibrosis and nodular regeneration.
cisterna chyli	(sis-turna) The dilated portion of the thoracic duct (lymphatic channel) in the lumbar region that receives fluid from the intestinal, lumbar and descending intercostal lymph vessels.
classical scattering	The scattering of X-rays with no loss of energy. Also called coherent, rayleigh or thompson scattering.
clavicle	(klav-icle) Long bone that makes up part of the shoulder girdle. Commonly known inlaymasn terms as the "collar bone".
claustrophobic	(klaw-stro-fo-bik) A morbid fear of being in a confined place.
clearing agent	A chemical usually ammonium thiosulfate, added to the fixer to remove undeveloped silver bromide from the emulsion.
clearing time	The time it takes for fixer to dissolve undeveloped silver halide, characterised by disappearance of milky diffusion on film after it is placed in fixer solution.
cleido	(kli'do) Prefix indicating relation to the clavicle.
clinical tolerance	Moist desquamation in radiation therapy.
clitoris	(klit´or-is, kli´tor-is) A small, erectile structure in the vulva of the female, homologous to the glans penis in the male.
clivis	(kli-vis) A triangular bone that slopes upward from the foramen magnum to the dorsum sellae, in the posterior cranial fossa. Clivis=wedge.
closed-core transformer	A square core of ferromagnetic material built up of laminated layers of iron, which help reduce energy losses caused by eddy currents.
clot	To coagulate or turn from a free-flowing liquid to a thickened or semi-solid state.
clysis	(kli'sis) Washing out of a body cavity, as by lavage or irrigation.
cns	Abbreviation for central nervous system
coagulate	To change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state. Blood that does not flow smoothly through a vessel can coagulate or clot by turning from a free-flowing liquid to a semi-solid gel.
coalesce	To merge into a single mass.
coalescence	(koa-les'ens) Growing together or fusion of parts.
coast time	The time it takes the rotor to rest after use.
cohesion	(ko-he'zhun) Molecular attraction or force that causes particles of a substance to cohere or cling together.
coarctation	(ko-arc-ta'-shon) A narrowing.
coccygeal	(kok-sij´e-al) Pertaining to the region of the coccyx; the caudal termination of the vertebral column.
coccyx	(kok-siks) The caudal extremity of the vertebral column formed by the fusion of four rudimentary vertebrae.
cochlea	(kok´le-ua) The organ of hearing in the inner ear where nerve impulses are generated in response to sound waves.
cochlear window	see round window.
codon	A series of three base pairs in the DNA.
coelom	(se´lom) Greek = a hollow; the abdominal cavity.
colic	Intermittent abdominal pain that fluctuates corresponding to smooth muscle peristalsis.
collimation	Controlling the size of the field when using ionising radiation. This enables reduced patient dose and improves the image contrast.
collimator	A device used to restrict X-ray beam size and shape.
collimators	An x-ray tube attachment for restricting the size and shape of the primary radiation beam. A variable collimator consists of two (and sometimes more) sets of independently adjustable lead shutters at right angles to each other, which provide a great variety of rectangular or square fields.
collitis	(ko-li'tis) Inflammation of the colon.
collateral	(ko-lat´er-al) A small branch of a blood vessel or nerve fiber; secondary or accesory in function.
collaterals	Blood vessels that develop or enlarge to provide an alternative route around an obstruction.
colo	(ko'lo) Prefix denoting relation to colon eg colocentesis is a surgicalpuncture of the colon.
collodion	A liquid that, on evaporation, leaves a protective film over cuts.
colon	(ko´lon) The first portion of the large intestine.
colonoscopy	(ko-lon-os-ko-pe) Visual examination of the inner surface of the colon by means of a lighted, flexible tubular instrument inserted into the colon through the rectum.
color Doppler	Color Doppler uses a computer to convert the Doppler measurements into an array of colors. This color visualization is combined with a standard ultrasound picture of a blood vessel to show the speed and direction of blood flow through the vessel.
colorectal cancer	Malignant disease affecting the colon and rectum.
colostomy	Establishment of an artificial opening into the colon.
columella	(kolu-mel'ah) A little column, any part likened to a column eg columella nasi.
coma	(ko'mah) State of profound unconsciousness caused by disease or injury and from which the patient cannot be aroused.
comatose	(kom'a-tos) Resembling or affected with coma.
comets	Artifacts produced on film that resemble comets. They are usually caused by rust particles adhering to film during development.
comminuted	(komi-nut'ed) Broken into small pieces; splintered eg comminuted fracture.
common bile duct	A tube formed by the union of the hepatic duct and cystic duct that transports bile to the duodenum.
common carotid arteries	The major artery for the head and neck that divides into the internal and external carotid arteries. On the right it begins at the bifurcation of the brachiocephalic trunk, and on the left it is a direct branch from the aorta.
communicating veins	Veins found int he thigh, lower leg and foot that connect superficial and deep veins.
commutator	A device that acts like a switch, converting an alternating current generator to a direct current generator.
compact bone	Tightly packed bone that is superficial to spongy bone and covered by the periosteum; also called dense bone.
compensating filter	Material inserted between an X-ray source and a patient to shape the intensity of the X-ray beam. An X-ray beam filter is designed to make the remnant beam more uniform in intensity.
compound	(kom'pound) Distinct homogenous substance composed of two or more chemically combined elements that have lost their original identity and cannot be separated by other than chemical means, mixture, solution.
compound fracture	(kom'pound frak-ture) Fracture having an open wound into site of fracture.
compression	The act of flattening soft tissue to improve optical density.
compression device	A devie that maintains close film screen contact when the cassette is closed and latched.
compton effect	Attenuation process for X or gamma radiation. In this process the incident photon interacts with a “free” or loosely-bound electron, transferring a portion of the photon’s energy to the electron (termed a “Compton electron”) as kinetic energy and the remainder to a newly created scattered photon which travels in a different direction than the incident photon.
compton scattering	The interaction between an X-ray and a loosely bound outer-shell electron, resulting ionisation and X-ray scattering.
computed radiography (CR)	Radiographic technique that uses a photostimulable phosphor as the image receptor and an area beam.
computed tomography (CT)	(to-mog-ru-fe) Sometimes referred to as CAT scan (computerized axial tomography). Imaging anatomical information from a cross-sectional plane of the body, each image generated by a computer synthesis of X-ray transmission data obtained in many different directions in a given plane.
computed tomography (CT) angiography	(to-mog-ru-fe an-je-o-gra-fe) A method of examining blood vessels utilizing x-rays and injection of iodinated contrast medium.
concentric	(kon-sen'trik) Having a common centre, as graduated circles, one within the other; directed toward or converging at a common centre, opposed to eccentric.
concretion	(kon-kre'shun) A solid, stony mass formed by succeeding layers of mineral salts surrounding a foreign body, such as a grain of sand.
conduction	The transfer of heat by molecular agitation.
conductor	A material that allows heat or electric current to flow.
condyle	(kon´d-il) greek kondylos = knuckle; a rounded process at the end of a long bone that forms an articulation.
cone	(kone) A color receptor cell in the retina of the eye. In radiography a circular metal housing that attaches to X-ray tube housing to limit the beam size and shape.
cone cutting	Misalignment of cones that cause one side of the radiograph to not be exposed because the edge of the cone may interfere with the X-ray beam.
cones	Metal tubes that are attached to the X-ray unit head to limit the field to a predetermined size and shape. Also known as a fixed collimator.
cones and cylinders	Modifications of the aperture diaphragm.
confluent	(kon'flu-ent) Coming together, meeting or merging.
congenital	(kon-jen´i-tal) Present at the time of birth, acquired or developed in utero.
congestion	(kon-jes'chun) Abnormal accumulation of fluid in any body organ or area.
congestive heart failure	(kon-jes´tiv) the inability of the heart to deliver an adequate blood flow as a result of heart disease or hypertension. This condition is associated with breathlessness, salt and water retention, and oedema.
coniosis	(kone-o'sis) Pulmonary disease caused by inhalation of dust.
conjunctiva	(kon´´jungk-ti´vua) the thin membrane covering the anterior surface of the eyeball and lining the eyelids.
conjunctivitis	Inflammation of the delicate membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the exposed surface of sclera (white part) of the eye.
connective tissue	One of the four basic tissue types within the body. Tissue that binds tissue and organs together.
conoid	Greek = resembling a cone, cone shape.
consolidation	(kon-soli-da'shun) Process of solidification in porous tissue as a result of disease, as of lung in pneumonia and tuberculosis.
constant potential circuit	A circuit which is arranged to supply a substantially constant voltage across an X-ray tube.
constipation	(kon-sti-pa-shun) A condition in which bowel movements are infrequent or incomplete.
constriction	(kon-strik'shun) narrowing of lumen or orifice of a passage, a stricture.
contact shields	Shields that are flat and are placed directly on the patients gonads.
contagion	(kon-ta'jun) Communication of disease by direct or indirect contact; contagious disease is one that is readily transmissible from one to another without immediate contact.
contagious	(kon-ta'jus) transmissible by mediate or immediate contact; conveying contagion.
continuous quality improvement	A program that includes administrative protocols for the continual improvement of mammographic quality.
contra	(kon'trah) Prefix signifying against, in opposition eg contraindication.
contracture	Shortening or shrinkage of a muscle or tendon resulting in persistent flexion or distortion at a joint.
contralateral	(kon´´tra-lat´er-al) taking place or originating in a corresponding part on the opposite side of the body.
contrast	The degree of difference between the light and dark areas of a radiograph.
contrast agent	Also referred to as contrast or contrast medium. Any internally administered substance that has a different opacity from soft tissue on radiography or computed tomography. Includes: Barium - used to make parts of the gastrointestinal tract opaque. Iodine in water, used for arthrography. Water soluble iodine, used to make blood vessels opaque; to demonstrate the inner structures of the urinary tract (kidneys, ureters and bladder); and to outline joints (the spaces between two bones). Iodine mixed with water or oil may be used to evaluate the fallopian tubes and lining of the uterus. Sterile saline (salt water) is used during hysterosonography. May refer to air occurring naturally or introduced into the body. Magnevist used in magnetic resonance imaging.
contrast improvement factor	The ratio of radiographic contrast with a grid to that without a grid.
contrast index	The difference between the step with an average optical density closest to 2.2 and the step with an average optical density closest to, but not less than 0.5 .
contrast media	see (contrast agent) - Foreign substances (iodine, barium, air, gadolinium) introduced in tissue to increase the inherent subject contrast.
contrast medium	see (contrast agent) - Foreign substances (iodine, barium, air, gadolinium) introduced in tissue to increase the inherent subject contrast.
contrast resolution	The ability to distinguish between and to image similar tissues.
controlled area	An area where personnel occupancy and activity are subject to control and supervision for the purpose of radiation protection.
contusion	(kon-tu'zhun) bruise, injury to subcutaneous tissue, with effusiion of blood throughout area, but without breaking the skin.
conus arteriosus	(see infundibulum)
conus medullaris	(kó nus med´´u-lar´is) the inferior, tapering portion of the spinal cord.
convection	The transfer of heat by the movement of hot matter to a colder place.
convergent point	The point at which all of the lead strips of a crossed focused grid would intersect if the strips were extended above the grid to the focal distance.
conversion efficiency (CE)	The rate at which X-ray energy is transformed into light in an intensifying screen.
conversion factor	The ratio of the illumination intensity at the output phosphor to the radiation intensity incident on the input phosphor.
convolution	(kon-vuo-loo´shun) an elevation on the surface of a structure and an infolding of the tissue upon itself.
coolidge tube	A type of vacuum tube in use today that allows X-ray intensity and energy to be separately and accurately selected.
cooling curve	The graphic relaton between heat accumulation in an X-ray tube and the time it takes for the tube to cool.
coracoid process	(kor'a-koid) Process of bone projecting upward and foward from upper part of neck of scapula, called coracoid process because it resembles a crows beak.
core needle biopsy	A type of biopsy in which a large hollow needle is inserted through the skin to the site of an abnormal growth to collect and remove a sample of cells for analysis. This procedure uses an automated needle, which obtains one sample of tissue at a time and is re-inserted several times.
corium	(ko're-um) Layer of skin below the epidermis.
cornea	(kor´ne-a) The transparent, convex, anterior portion of the outer layer of the eyeball.
corona	A blue electrical discharge surrounding a high voltage conductor caused by air ionised by current leakage.
coronal plane	(ko-ro´nal) A plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions; also called a frontal plane.
coronal suture	(ko-ro'nal) This calvarial (vault) synostosis is the coronal plane between the frontal and parietal bones.
coronary arteries	(kor-o-nar-e ar-ter-es) The arteries which originate from the root of the ascending aorta and supply the cardiac muscle of the atria and ventricles with blood.
coronary artery disease	A condition involving the narrowing of the coronary arteries that carry blood and oxygen to the heart muscle.
coronary bypass surgery	A surgical means of rerouting blood in the coronary artery system around diseased vessels.
coronary circulation	(kor´o-nar´e) the arterial and venous blood circulation to the wall of the heart.
coronary sinus	A large venous channel on the posterior surface of the heart into which the cardiac veins drain.
coronoid	(kor'o-noid) Shaped like the beak of a crow a process on the anterior surface of the upper extremeity of the ulna, also the process on anterior surface of manddibular of ramus.
corpora quadrigemina	(kor´por-a kwad´´ri-jem´i-na) Four superior lobes of the midbrain concerned with visual and auditory functions.
corpus	(kor'pus) Latin for body, main part of any organ, mass of specialised tissue.
corpus callosum	(kor´pus ka-lo´sum) Latin corpus=body, callosum =hard; a large tract of hard white matter within the brain that connects the right and left cerebral hemispheres.
corpuscle of touch	(kor´pus'l) a touch sensory receptor found in the papillary layer of the dermis of the skin; also called meissner's corpuscle.
cortex	(kor´teks) 1.the outer layer of an internal organ or body structure, as of the kidney or adrenal gland. 2. the convoluted layer of gray matter that covers the surface of each cerebral hemisphere.
cortical	(kort-icl) latin = bark like; the hard outer bone of a long bone. (see cancellous)
cosmic rays	Partculate and electromgnetic radiation emitted by the sun and the stars.
costal	(kos'tal) Of or pertaining to a rib or ribs.
costal cartilage	(kos´tal) The cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum.
costo	(kos'to) Prefix signifying relation to ribs.
costophrenic	(kosto-fren'ik) Pertaining to ribs and diaphragm eg costophrenic angle is the angle formed by the ribs and diaphragm.
coulomb (C)	The SI unit of electric charge.
coulomb per kilogram (C/kg)	The SI unit of radiation exposure 2.58 x 10⁻⁴ C/kg = 1R.
coupling	The joining of magnetic fields produced by the primary and secondary coils.
covalent bond	The chemical union between atoms formed by sharing one or more pairs of electrons.
covering power	The more efficient use of silver in an emulsion to produce the same optical density per unit exposure.
cox	(koks) Prefix denotingrelation to hip or hip joint eg coxalgia is pain in the hip.
coxa	(kok'sah) Hip or hip joint.
cranial	(kra´ne-al) Pertaining to the cranium.
cranial nerves	(kra'ne-al) The twelve pairs of nerves that are directly connected to the brain. They are the nervi olfactorii (I), opticus (II), oculomotorius (III), trochlearis (IV), trigeminus (V), abducens (VI), facialis (VII), vestibulocochloaris (VIII), glossopharyngeus (IX), vagus (X), accessorius (XI), and hypoglossus (XII).
cranio	(kra'ne-o) Prefix denoting relation to cranium.
cranium	(kra´ne-um) The bones of the skull that enclose or support the brain and the organs of sight, hearing, and balance.
crater	(kra'ter) A pit, a bowel shaped depression.
crenation	(kre-na´shun) a notched or scalloped appearance of the red blood cell membrane caused by the osmotic loss of water from these cells.
crepitation	(krepi-ta'shun) Crackling or grating sound eg as produced by rubbing together two ends of a fractured bone.
crepitus	(krep'i-tus) Crackling noise ; crepitation is the noise produced by rubbing together the ends of fractured bones.
crest	A thickened ridge of bone for the attachment of muscle.
cricoid cartilage	(kri´koid) Greek krikos = ring, and eidos = shape; a ring-shaped cartilage that forms the inferior portion of the larynx.
cribriform	Adjective, latin cribrum = sieve, hence, sieve-like
crisis	(kri'sis) Turning point in a disease, change that indicates whether symptoms will begin to subside or to increase in severity.
crista	(kris´ta) Latin = crest; a crest, such as the crista galli that extends superiorly from the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone.
crista terminalis	(kris'ta) Marks the junction between the two embyological parts of the right atruim of the heart. At its upper end is the sinoatrial node.
Crohn's disease	A moderately severe chronic inflammation of the intestine, especially of the small intestine, of unknown cause, involving the obstruction of the lower part of the small bowel and less frequently other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. It is characterized by patchy deep ulcers that may cause abnormal passages within the bowel, and narrowing and thickening of the bowel. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, cramping abdominal pain, and weight loss.
crookes tube	The forerunner of modern fluorescent, neon and X-ray tubes.
crossed grid	A grid composed of two linear grids, one on top of the other, with the grid lines of one perpendicular to the grid lines of the other.
cross-linking	The process of side spurs created by irradiation and attaching to a neighboring macromolecule or to another segment of the same molecule.
crossover	The process occurring during meiosis when chromatids exchange chromosomal material.
crossover rack	A device in an automatic processor that transports film from one tank to the next.
cruciate ligaments	The "cross shaped" ligaments situated in the knee joint between the femoral condyles and the proximal tibia (tibial spines) that form a cross shaped structure.
crus of diaphragm	The fibromuscular bands originating from the upper three or four lumbar vertebrae and inserting into the central tendon of the diaphragm.
cryogen	An extremely cold liquid.
cryptorchidism	(krip-tor´ki-diz´´em) a developmental defect in which one or both testes fail to descend into the scrotum and, instead, remain in the body cavity.
crystal lattice	A three-dimensional, cross-linked structure of silver, bromine and iodine atoms.
csf	Acronym for cerebrospinal fluid (ser´´e-bro-spi´nal) a fluid produced by the choroid plexus of the ventricles of the brain. It fills the ventricles and surrounds the central nervous system in association with the meninges.
cubital	(kyoo´bi-tal) latin cubitus = elbow; the cubital fossa is the anterior aspect of the elbow joint.
cuboid	A cube-shaped bone in the foot.
cul-de-sac	A blind pouch.
cumulative	(ku'mu-lativ) Composed of added parts, increasing in intensity of action after succesive additions.
cumulative dose	The total dose of repeated radiation exposure received by an object.
cuneiforms	A wedged-shaped bone in the foot.
curettage	A procedure in which the cervix is dilated and the inner lining of the uterus is scraped to remove the uterine contents.
curie (Ci)	The former unit of radioactivity. Expressed as 1 Ci = 3.7 x 10¹⁰ disintegration per seconds = 3.7 x 10¹⁰ Bq.
curvilinear	Having a curved configuration.
cutaneous	(ku-ta'ne-us) Of or pertaining to skin or cutis.
cutie pie	The nickname for an ionisation chamber type survey meter.
cutis	(ku'tis) Corium or dermis, true skin as distinguished from epidermis.
cyanosis	(si´a--no´sis) A bluish discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to excessive concentration of deoxyhemoglobin; indicates inadequate oxygen concentration in the blood.
cystic duct	(sis´tik dukt) the tube that transports bile from the gallbladder to the common bile duct.
cystography	(sis-tog-ru-fe) Radiography of the bladder, following injection of a radiopaque substance.
cyst	(sist) Abnormal sacs containing gas, fluid, or a semisolid material, with a membranous lining.
cystitis	(sis-titis) Inflammation of the urinary bladder.
cystography	(sis-tog'ra-fe) Radiographic examination of urinary bladder after it has been filled with contrast medium.
cystogram	(sis-to'-gram) A radiograph of the bladder opacified after it has been filled with contrast medium.
cytoplasm	The protoplasm existing outside the cells nucleus.
cystoscopy	(sis-tos'ko-pe) Visual inspection of interior of urinary bladder by means of cytoscope.
cytosine	A nitrogenous organic base that attaches to a deoxyribose molecule.
cytology	(si-tol´o-je) The science dealing with the study of cells.

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