Copy of `Dorland's Medical Dictionary`

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Dorland's Medical Dictionary Category: Health and Medicine > Medical Dictionary Date & country: 31/12/2010, USA Words: 39128

calcareous
(kal-kar´e-әs) pertaining to or containing lime; chalky.

calcareous cataract
dystrophic calcium salt deposits in the subcapsular and cortical areas of the lens.

calcareous degeneration
degeneration with infiltration of calcareous materials into the tissues.

calcareous infiltration
deposit of lime and magnesium salts in the tissues.

calcarine
(kal´kә-rīn) spur-shaped. pertaining to the calcar avis.

calcarine sulcus
a sulcus of the medial surface of the occipital lobe, separating the cuneus from the lingual gyrus.

calcariuria
(kal-ka″re-u´re-ә) the presence of lime (calcium) salts in the urine; see hypercalciuria.

calcemia
(kal-se´me-ә) hypercalcemia.

calcibilia
(kal″sĭ-bil´e-ә) the presence of calcium in the bile.

calcic
(kal´sik) of or pertaining to lime or calcium.

calcicosis
(kal″sĭ-ko´sis) pneumoconiosis due to inhalation of marble dust.

calcifediol
(kal″sif-ә-di´ol) 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (a form of vitamin D), used in the treatment of hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, rickets, and osteodystrophy associated with medical conditions such as chronic renal failure and hypoparathyroidism, administered orally.

calciferol
(kal-sif´әr-ol) see vitamin D. ergocalciferol.

calcific
(kal-sif´ik) forming lime.

calcific bursitis
calcific tendinitis inflammation and calcification of the subacromial or subdeltoid bursa, resulting in pain, tenderness, and limitation of motion in the shoulder. Called also calcific bursitis and scapulohumeral bursitis.

calcification
(kal″sĭ-fĭ-ka´shәn) the deposit of calcium salts, mostly calcium phosphate, in body tissues. The normal absorption of calcium is facilitated by parathyroid hormone and vitamin D. When there are increased amounts of parathyroid hormone in the blood (as in hyperparathyroidism), there is deposition of calci...

calcified fetus
a dead fetus that has become calcified in utero; called also lithopedion.

calcinosis
(kal″sĭ-no´sis) a condition characterized by dystrophic calcifications in the tissues. calcinosis circumscripta localized dystrophic calcifications in subcutaneous tissues or muscle. calcinosis universalis widespread dystrophic calcifications in ...

calcipenia
(kal″sĭ-pe´ne-ә) deficiency of calcium in the system; see also hypocalcemia.

calcipexis
(kal″sĭ-pek´sis) calcipexy (kal´sĭ-pek″se) fixation of calcium in the tissues. adj., calcipec´tic, calcipex´ic., adj.

calciphilia
(kal″sĭ-fil´e-ә) a tendency to calcification.

calciphylaxis
(kal″sĭ-fә-lak´sis) a condition of induced hypersensitivity characterized by formation of calcified tissue in response to administration of a challenging agent.

calcipotriene
(kal″sĭ-po-tri´ēn) a synthetic derivative of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), applied to the skin to treat psoriasis.

calciprivia
(kal″sĭ-priv´e-ә) deprivation or loss of calcium; see also hypocalcemia. adj., calcipriv´ic., adj.

calcitonin
(kal″sĭ-to´nin) a polypeptide hormone secreted by the parafollicular or C cells of the thyroid gland; it is involved in plasma calcium homeostasis and acts to decrease the rate of bone resorption. Preparations are used in the treatment of severe hypercalcemia, Paget disease of bone, and postmenopausal osteoporosis....

calcitriol
(kal″sĭ-tri´ol) 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol; a form of vitamin D used as a calcium regulator in the management of hypocalcemia in conditions such as rickets, osteodystrophy, hypoparathyroidism, and complications of renal dialysis; administered orally or intravenously.

calcium
(Ca) (kal´se-әm) a chemical element, atomic number 20, atomic weight 40.08. It is the most abundant mineral in the body; in combination with phosphorus it forms calcium phosphate, the dense, hard material of bones and teeth. It is an important cation in intracellular and extracellular fluid ...

calcium acetate
the calcium salt of acetic acid; administered orally as a source of calcium and as a phosphate binder, such as in patients with end-stage renal disease. Also used as a pharmaceutical buffering agent.

calcium carbonate
an insoluble salt occurring naturally in bone, shells, and chalk; used as an antacid, calcium supplement, and phosphate binder, and for treatment of osteoporosis.

calcium channel
calcium-sodium channel a type of voltage-gated channel, very permeable to calcium ions and slightly permeable to sodium ions, that upon activation by membrane depolarization allows calcium to flow into the cell. Calcium channels contribute to membrane depolarization during action potentials and stimulate the contraction of cardiac and...

calcium channel blocker
calcium channel blocking agent a drug that selectively blocks the influx of calcium ions through a calcium channel of cardiac muscle and smooth muscle cells; used in the treatment of Prinzmetal angina, chronic stable angina, and cardiac arrhythmias.

calcium chloride
a salt used in solution to restore electrolyte balance, treat hypocalcemia, and act as a treatment adjunct in cardiac arrest and in magnesium poisoning.

calcium citrate
a salt used as a calcium replenisher and in treatment of hyperphosphatemia in renal osteodystrophy.

calcium glubionate
a calcium salt used as a nutritional supplement and for treatment of hypocalcemia; administered orally.

calcium gluceptate
a calcium salt administered intramuscularly or intravenously in the prevention and treatment of hypocalcemia and as an electrolyte replenisher.

calcium gluconate
a calcium salt administered intravenously or orally in the treatment and prevention of hypocalcemia and as a nutritional supplement. It is also administered by injection as a treatment adjunct in cardiac arrest and in the treatment of hyperkalemia.

calcium hydroxide
an astringent compound used topically in solution or lotions.

calcium infusion test
(for hyperglycinemia)calcium gluconate is administered to the fasting patient for 180 minutes. Serum samples are obtained 30 minutes before infusion, at its initiation, and every 30 minutes for two hours afterwards. The patient with a gastrinoma will show a sharp rise in production of gastrin.

calcium lactate
a calcium replenisher, administered orally in the treatment and prevention of hypocalcemia and as a nutritional supplement.

calcium oxalate
a salt of oxalic acid, which in excess in the urine may lead to formation of oxalate urinary calculi.

calcium oxalate calculus
oxalate calculus.

calcium oxide
lime (def. 1).

calcium pantothenate
a calcium salt of the B vitamin pantothenic acid; used as a nutritional supplement.

calcium phosphate
a salt containing calcium and the phosphate radical; dibasic and tribasic calcium phosphate are used as sources of calcium.

calcium polycarbophil
a hydrophilic agent used as a bulk laxative.

calcium propionate
a salt used as an antifungal preservative in foods and as a topical antifungal agent.

calcium pump
the mechanism of active transport of calcium (Ca2+) across a membrane, as of the sarcoplasmic reticulum of muscle cells, against a concentration gradient; the mechanism is driven by hydrolysis of ATP.

calcium pyrophosphate
the pyrophosphate salt of calcium, used as a polishing agent in dentifrices. Crystals of the dihydrate form occur in the joints in calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease.

calcium sulfate
a compound of calcium and sulfate, occurring as gypsum or as plaster of paris.

calciuria
(kal″se-u´re-ә) hypercalciuria.

calcospherite
(kal″ko-sfēr´īt) one of the minute globular bodies formed during calcification by chemical union of calcium particles and albuminous matter of cells.

calculogenesis
(kal″ku-lo-jen´ә-sis) the formation of calculi.

calculosis
(kal″ku-lo´sis) lithiasis.

calculous cholecystitis
cholecystitis accompanied by gallstones; most cases are of this type.

calculus
(kal´ku-lәs) pl. cal´culi an abnormal concretion in the body, usually composed of mineral salts; the usual location is in a hollow organ or passage. Called also stone. See also kidney stone and gallstone. adj., cal´culous., adj.

Calderol
(kal´dәr-ol) trademark for a preparation of calcifediol, a calcium regulator.

Caldwell position
a radiographic position with the forehead and nose against the x-ray plate, used with the Caldwell projection.

Caldwell-Luc operation
(kawld´wel lūk´) antrostomy in which an opening is made into the maxillary sinus via an incision into the supradental fossa opposite the premolar teeth. in compound zygomaticomaxillary fractures, a method of packing of the maxillary sinus to allow reduction of displaced fragments of the zygoma by upwa...

Caldwell-Moloy classification
(kawld´wel mә-loi´) the classification of female pelves as gynecoid, android, anthropoid, and platypelloid.

calefacient
(kal″ә-fa´shәnt) causing a sensation of warmth; an agent that so acts.

calendar method
(kal´әn-dәr) a type of natural family planning in which the couple abstains from sexual intercourse during certain times of the menstrual cycle. See contraception.

Calendula
(kә-len´du-lә) a genus of flowering plants. The dried flowers of C. officina´lis, the pot marigold, are applied to the skin for inflammation and to promote healing and are used in homeopathy and folk medicine.

calf
(kaf) the fleshy back part of the lower leg; called also sura.

calfactant
(kal-fak´tәnt) a pulmonary surfactant from calf lung, used in prophylaxis and treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome; administered intratracheally by instillation through an endotracheal tube.

caliber
(kal´ĭ-bәr) the diameter of the lumen of a canal or tube.

calibration
(kal″ĭ-bra´shәn) determination of the accuracy of an instrument, usually by measurement of its variation from a standard, to ascertain necessary correction factors.

calicectasis
(kal″ĭ-sek´tә-sis) caliectasis.

calicectomy
(kal″ĭ-sek´tә-me) excision of a calix of the kidney.

calices
(ka´lĭ-sēz) plural of calyx.

caliciform cell
goblet cell.

Caliciviridae
the caliciviruses, a family of RNA viruses that cause disease in humans and other animals; genera that cause human disease are Norovirus and Sapovirus.

calicivirus
(kә-lis´ĭ-vi″rәs) any virus of the family Caliciviridae.

caliculus
(kә-lik´u-lәs) pl. cali´culi a bud-shaped or cup-shaped structure.

caliectasis
(ka″le-ek´tә-sis) dilatation of a renal calyx; called also calicectasis.

California disease
(kal″ĭ-for´nyә) coccidioidomycosis.

California encephalitis
(kal″ĭ-for´nyә) a usually mild form of encephalitis that mainly affects children. It is caused by a bunyavirus and is transmitted by mosquitoes.

California encephalitis virus
a member of the genus Bunyavirus that causes California encephalitis and is transmitted by mosquitoes.

californium
(Cf) (kal″ĭ-for´ne-әm) a chemical element, atomic number 98, atomic weight 249.

calipers
(kal´ĭ-pәrz) an instrument with two bent or curved legs used for measuring thickness or diameter of a solid.

calisthenics
(kal″is-then´iks) systematic exercise for attaining strength and gracefulness.

calix
(ka´liks) pl. ca´lices calyx. renal calices the subdivisions of the renal pelvis that enclose the renal pyramids.

Call-Exner bodies
the accumulations of densely staining material that appear among granulosa cells in maturing ovarian follicles; they may be intracellular precursors of the fluid of vesicular ovarian follicles; these bodies are also seen in ovarian tumors of granulosal origin.

Calliphora
(kә-lif´o-rә) a genus of flies, the blowflies or bluebottle flies, which deposit their eggs in decaying matter, on wounds, or in body openings; the maggots are a cause of myiasis.

callistin shellfish poisoning
poisoning caused by ingestion of the gastropod shellfish Callista brevisphonata; an outbreak occurred in Japan in the 1950s. It was believed to be due to a choline present in the ovaries of the shellfish.

callosity
(kә-los´ĭ-te) callus (def. 1).

callosomarginal artery
origin, postcommunical part of anterior cerebral artery; branches, anteromedial frontal, intermediomedial frontal, posteromedial frontal, cingular, and paracentral branches; distribution, medial and superolateral surfaces of cerebral hemisphere.

callosum
(kә-lo´sәm) corpus callosum.

callous
(kal´әs) hardened. pertaining to or characterized by callus.

callus
(kal´әs) localized hyperplasia of the horny layer of the epidermis due to pressure or friction. an unorganized network of woven bone formed about the ends of a broken bone; it is absorbed as repair is completed (provisional callus), and ultimately replaced by true bone (definitive callus). ...

calmative
(kahm´ә-tiv) (kahl´mә-tiv) sedative.

Calmette vaccine
BCG vaccine.

Calmette-Guérin bacillus
bacille Calmette-Guérin.

calmodulin
(kal-mod´u-lin) a calcium-binding protein, present in all nucleated cells, that mediates a wide variety of calcium-dependent cellular processes.

calomel electrode
one capable of both collecting and giving up chloride ions in neutral or acidic aqueous media, consisting of mercury in contact with mercurous chloride; used as a reference electrode in pH measurements.

calor
(kal´or) heat; one of the cardinal signs of inflammation.

caloric
(kә-lor´ik) pertaining to heat or to calories.

caloric nystagmus
rotatory nystagmus in response to caloric stimuli in the ear, seen during the caloric test.

caloric test
a test of third, sixth, and eighth cranial nerves. Irrigation of the normal ear with warm water produces caloric nystagmus toward the irrigated side; irrigation with cold water produces similar nystagmus away from that side. Called also oculovestibular test.

calorie
(kal´ә-re) any of several units of heat defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1 degree Celsius (1°C) at a specified temperature. The calorie used in chemistry and biochemistry is equal to 4.184 joules. Symbol cal. In referring to the energy content of foods it is...

calorimetry
(kal″ә-rim´ә-tre) measurement of the heat eliminated or stored in any system. direct calorimetry measurement of the amount of heat produced by a subject enclosed within a small chamber. indirect calorimetry measurement of the amount of hea...