| A | B |
|---|
| calcaneus | The heel bone |
| capillaries | Tiny vessels that carry blood through the tissues; the network of capillaries i the tissues and organs is called the capillary bed |
| capillary refill time | Time required for the capillary beds to refill with blood after blanching; used for assessing perfusion in infants and children |
| cardiac compromise | Any action or factor that reduces the functionality of the cardiac system |
| cardiac muscle | Involuntary muscle tissue of the heart that is usually not under conscious control |
| carina | A triangular projection of the lowest tracheal cartilage; forms the division of the primary bronchi |
| cartoid artery | Major artery in the neck |
| carpals | The eight bones of the wrist |
| cavitation | Tissue compression and cavity formation caused by the prssure of a projectile entering the body |
| central nerous system | The brain and spinal cord |
| cerebellum | portion of the brain that coordinates voluntary muscular movements |
| cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) | Fluid that fills the ventricles and vavities of teh brain and surrounds the spinal cord |
| cerebrovasuclar accident (CVA) | Stroke or brain attack; occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked or ruptures |
| cerebrum | The largest part of the brain; consists of two hemispheres |
| cervical vertebrae | First seven vertebrae; neck |
| chain of survival | Term used for the four interventions that provide the best chance for successful resuscitation of a partient in cardiac arrest: Early access, early CPR; early defibrillation, early ACLS |
| chief complaint | Patien's self-described worst or most serious concern |
| chronic illness | Long term illness |
| chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | Generic term for emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and other obstructive airway diseases |
| circulation | Flow of blood from the heart through arteries to capillaries and returning to the heart through veins |
| clavicle | Bone of the shoulder girdle that joins the sternum to the scapula; collarbone |
| closed head injury | Trauma to the head in which the skull remains intact; scalp may or may not be lacerated |
| closed soft tissue injury | Damage to muscle, vessels, or skin; outer skin remains intact |
| coccys, coccygeal bones | The last four vertebrae, the tailbone |
| complex access | A rescue requiring specialized skills and equipment |
| compression injury | Spinal injury caused when a strong force is transmitted up or down the length of teh body |
| concussion | Temporary disruption of normal brain function, usually caused by blunt trauma to the head |
| conduction | Transfer of heat from a warmer object in contact with a colder object |
| confidentiality | An obligation to protect the patient's privacy by not disclosing information to unauthorized individuals |
| conjunctiva | Membrane lining the eyelids and the surface of teh sclera of the eye |
| contraindication | Condition under which a specific medication or treatment should not be given |
| contralateral | On the opposite side of the body |
| contusion | Bruise; a wound in which the epidermis remains intact, but the cells and blood vessels in the dermis become damaged |
| convection | Transfer of heat from a warm object to cooler air moving past its surface |
| coronary artery | Blood vessels that supply the heart with blood |
| coronary artery disease (CAD) | Condition of plaque accumulation causing narrowing within coronary artery walls; leads to decreade oxygen delivery to heart muscle |
| cranium | The skull |
| crepitation | A crackling sensation felt and heard beneath the skin; caused by broken bone ends grating against each other or by subcutaneous air |
| cricoid cartilage | Ring of cartilage that forms the bottom of the larynx and is an anatomical landmark |
| critical incident stress debriefing (CISD) | A meeting held after a critical incident that encourages emergency care workers to discuss their feelings openly with trained mental health professionals and peer counselors |
| crowning | The stage of delivery in which the head of teh fetus is first visible as it stretches the vaginal opening |
| crush injury | Open or closed soft tissue injury resulting from bilateral blunt trauma forces |
| cyanosis | Blue coloring of the skin; may indicate poor oxygen uptake or reduced perfusion |
