Medicine

Castration Removal or suppression of gonadal function in males or females by surgical, chemical, or other means. Used in medicine, animal husbandry, historical roles and some legal contexts;…

Cataract (eye): causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment Cataract A cataract is clouding of the eye's natural lens that impairs vision. This article summarizes how cataracts develop, how they are diagnosed, treatment options including lens replac…

Catarrh: mucus buildup from inflamed mucous membranes Catarrh Catarrh is excess mucus and inflammatory fluid from swollen mucous membranes in the head and upper airways. It commonly accompanies colds, sinus or ear infections and causes conges…

Cavity: dental decay, anatomical hollows, and other meanings Cavity A cavity is a hollow space or hole; the term applies to tooth decay (dental cavities), body cavities (anatomical spaces), and hollow structures in nature and technology.

CBD: Cannabidiol, Central Business District, and other meanings CBD CBD is an abbreviation with several common meanings, most notably cannabidiol (a cannabis compound) and central business district (an urban commercial core); context determines whi…

Cecum (anatomy and function) Cecum The cecum is the blind pouch at the start of the large intestine where the small intestine empties. It supports fermentation and hosts microbiota; its size and role vary widely amo…

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Nonprofit tertiary academic hospital in Los Angeles offering advanced clinical care, research and medical education; a major regional referral center with hundreds of beds and thou…

Cellulite: appearance, causes, and clinical distinctions Cellulite Cellulite is the dimpled or lumpy skin appearance caused by fat pushing on connective tissue. It is a common cosmetic pattern, influenced by sex, age, genetics and hormones, and di…

Cellulitis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention Cellulitis Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection causing redness, warmth and pain. This article explains causes, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, complications and how it differs…

Central nervous system disease Conditions that impair the brain or spinal cord, including causes, common types, diagnosis, treatment approaches, and distinct challenges for care and research.

Central venous catheter: purpose, types, placement and care Central venous catheter Central venous catheter (central line): a long intravenous catheter placed in a large central vein for monitoring, delivering medications or fluids, and supporting complex medical…

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy: causes, features, diagnosis, and management Cerebral amyloid angiopathy Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is deposition of amyloid in cerebral vessel walls, often causing lobar hemorrhage, microbleeds, and cognitive decline, commonly seen in older adul…

Cerebral edema — causes, types, diagnosis and treatment Cerebral edema Cerebral edema is swelling of the brain due to excess fluid. This article explains mechanisms, common causes, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatments and important distinctions.

Cerebral palsy: causes, types, diagnosis and care Cerebral palsy Cerebral palsy (CP) is a lifelong, non-progressive movement disorder caused by early brain injury or malformation. This article explains causes, common forms, diagnosis, treatment…

Cerebrovascular disease Disorders of the brain’s blood vessels that disrupt cerebral blood flow, causing strokes, transient ischemic attacks, hemorrhages and long-term complications such as vascular demen…

Cervical cancer: causes, detection, treatment and prevention Cervical cancer Comprehensive overview of cervical cancer: causes (HPV), signs, screening and diagnosis, treatments by stage, vaccination and public-health measures to reduce incidence and mortali…

Cesarean section (C-section): procedure, history, indications and outcomes Cesarean section A Cesarean section (C-section) is a surgical method to deliver a baby through incisions in the abdomen and uterus. This article explains types, indications, risks, history, and glo…

Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) Chagas disease Parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted mainly by triatomine insects in the Americas. Can cause acute symptoms and long-term cardiac or digestive complications…

Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease: overview, genetics, symptoms, and care Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT) is a group of inherited peripheral neuropathies causing progressive distal muscle weakness and sensory loss. This article summarizes features, gen…

Charing Cross Hospital — London teaching hospital and medical centre Charing Cross Hospital Charing Cross Hospital is a major teaching and general hospital in London, founded in the early 19th century and now located on Fulham Palace Road as part of a modern medical campu…

Chest X-ray An introduction to chest X‑ray imaging: how images are made, common projections and findings, clinical uses, safety considerations, and historical context.

Chicago Tylenol murders (1982) Chicago Tylenol murders A series of 1982 poisonings in the Chicago area in which Tylenol capsules were contaminated with cyanide; seven people died. The case prompted major packaging, legal and safety cha…

Chickenpox: causes, symptoms, complications, prevention and treatment Chickenpox Comprehensive guide to chickenpox: causes, transmission, symptoms, possible complications, prevention through vaccination, and treatment options for children and adults.

Chikungunya — viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes Chikungunya Chikungunya is a mosquito‑borne viral illness causing fever and severe joint pain. This article explains symptoms, transmission, history, diagnosis, prevention, and public‑health i…

Child Abuse: Overview, Types, Signs, Effects and How to Help Child abuse A clear, neutral overview of child abuse covering forms, warning signs, causes, consequences, prevention and reporting, with guidance for recognizing harm and finding help.

Child sexual abuse: definition, impacts, perpetrators, and response Child sexual abuse An overview of child sexual abuse: what it is, common patterns and perpetrators, short- and long-term effects, prevalence, warning signs, and approaches to prevention and support.

Childbed fever (puerperal fever) — causes, signs, treatment and history Childbed fever Postpartum infection of the uterus and surrounding tissues after childbirth or miscarriage, historically lethal but now preventable and treatable with antibiotics and good hygiene.

Childbirth (labour and delivery) — process, timing and population effects Childbirth Childbirth, or labour and delivery, is when one or more babies leave the uterus by vaginal birth or Caesarean. Covers modes of delivery, timing (preterm/post-term) and its signific…

Childhood obesity: causes, consequences, and prevention Childhood obesity Childhood obesity is excess body fat that harms health. This article explains measurement, causes, health effects, prevention strategies, and public health concerns for children an…

Chinese Herbology (Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbs) Chinese herbology An overview of Chinese herbology: the raw materials, plant parts and preparations used in traditional Chinese medicine, their properties, history, common uses, cultivation, and saf…

Chiropractic: practice, history, evidence, and uses Chiropractic Overview of chiropractic care: methods, education, history, common uses, evidence and controversies, and practical considerations for patients.

Chlamydia infection An overview of Chlamydia infection: causes, biology, transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, complications and prevention measures.

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine): a first‑generation antipsychotic Chlorpromazine Chlorpromazine is a first‑generation (typical) antipsychotic introduced in the early 1950s. Used for schizophrenia, acute mania, severe agitation, nausea and intractable hiccups; i…

Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer) Cholangiocarcinoma Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignant tumor of the bile duct epithelium. It occurs in intrahepatic, perihilar and distal locations, with varied risk factors, diagnostic imaging, and li…

Cholera (acute diarrhoeal disease) Cholera Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal illness caused by Vibrio cholerae. It spreads through contaminated water or food and can cause rapid dehydration; prevention relies on safe water, sa…

Chordoma: a rare malignant tumor of the spine and skull base Chordoma Chordoma is a rare, typically slow-growing malignant tumor arising from notochord remnants in the axial skeleton, often occurring at the skull base or sacrum and managed by surgery…

Chronic: long‑standing medical conditions and their management Chronic Chronic describes conditions that persist or recur over long periods. This article explains definitions, features, causes, common examples, diagnosis, long‑term care, public health…

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy CIDP is an immune-mediated disorder of peripheral nerves causing progressive or relapsing weakness and sensory loss; diagnosis relies on clinical exam, electrodiagnostics, CSF, and…

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): overview, causes, stages and treatment Chronic myeloid leukemia Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a blood cancer caused by the BCR-ABL fusion gene. It typically follows chronic, accelerated and blast phases and is mainly treated with targeted t…

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD is a progressive group of lung disorders that reduce airflow and impair breathing. This article explains causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and its public‑health impact.

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) Chronic traumatic encephalopathy A progressive brain disorder linked to repeated head impacts. CTE causes mood, behavior and cognitive problems years after injury; diagnosis is currently post-mortem and prevention…

Chytridiomycosis: a fungal disease driving global amphibian declines Chytridiomycosis Chytridiomycosis is an infectious disease of amphibians caused by chytrid fungi. It disrupts skin function, has caused widespread population declines and extinctions, and poses maj…

Cigarette A cigarette is a small roll of cured plant material—most commonly tobacco—wrapped in paper and smoked to deliver nicotine and other chemicals; it is associated with addiction and s…

Cinchonism (quinine poisoning): causes, symptoms, treatment, and history Cinchonism Cinchonism is toxicity from quinine and related cinchona alkaloids. This article explains causes, typical signs (tinnitus, nausea, visual changes), treatment, prevention, and histo…

Circadian rhythm sleep disorders Circadian rhythm sleep disorder Conditions in which the body's internal clock is misaligned with the external day, causing sleep timing problems, daytime sleepiness or insomnia despite otherwise normal sleep dura…

Circumcision: practice, techniques, history, and considerations Circumcision Surgical removal of the foreskin. An overview of techniques, cultural and religious roles, medical indications, risks, history, and ethical debates surrounding neonatal and later-l…

Cirrhosis: chronic liver scarring and its clinical impact Cirrhosis Cirrhosis is advanced, irreversible scarring of the liver that reduces function. This article explains causes, progression, complications, diagnosis, treatment approaches and preve…

Citalopram — overview, uses, mechanism, and precautions Citalopram Citalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant, marketed as Celexa, used primarily for major depressive disorder and certain anxiety disorders. Side e…