Cap Health Dictionary

A term used in several senses in medicine. It is applied to a soluble case, usually of gelatine, for enclosing small doses of unpleasant medicine.

Enteric-coated capsules, which have been largely superseded by enteric-coated tablets, are capsules treated in such a manner that the ingredients do not come in contact with the acid stomach contents but are only released when the capsule disintegrates in the alkaline contents of the intestine.

The term is also applied to the ?brous or membranous envelope of various organs, as of the spleen, liver or kidney. Additionally, it is applied to the ligamentous bag surrounding various joints and attached by its edge to the bones on either side.... capsule

An ACE-inhibitor drug introduced for the treatment of patients with severe HYPERTENSION. It acts by lowering the concentration in the blood of angiotensin II which is one of the factors responsible for high blood pressure. (See ANGIOTENSIN; RENIN.)... captopril

Chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis – an outpatient technique for treating failure of the KIDNEYS. (See HAEMODIALYSIS.)... capd

The minute vessels which join the ends of the arteries to venules, the tiny commencement of veins. Their walls consist of a single layer of ?ne, ?at, transparent cells, bound together at the edges, and the vessels form a meshwork all through the tissues of the body, bathing the latter in blood with only the thin capillary wall interposed, through which gases and ?uids readily pass. These vessels are less than 0·025 mm in width.... capillaries

Usually shortened by obstetricians to ‘caput’, this is the temporary swelling which is sometimes found on the head of the newborn infant. It is due to OEDEMA in and around the scalp, caused by pressure on the head as the child is born. It is of no signi?cance and quickly disappears spontaneously.... caput succedaneum

The amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled from the lungs after a deep inspiration. (See RESPIRATION.)... vital capacity

Any of the vessels that carry blood between the smallest arteries, or arterioles, and the smallest veins, or venules (see circulatory system). Capillaries form a fine network throughout the body’s organs and tissues. Their thin walls are permeable and allow blood and cells to exchange constituents such as oxygen, glucose, carbon dioxide, and water (see respiration). Capillaries open and close to blood flow according to the requirements of different organs. The opening and closing of skin capillaries helps to regulate temperature.

A direct blow to the body may rupture the thin capillary walls, causing bleeding under the surface of the skin, which in turn causes swelling and bruising. Increasing age, high doses of corticosteroid drugs, and scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) make capillaries more fragile; a tendency to purpura (small areas of bleeding under the skin) may develop.... capillary

Inflammation of a capsule around an organ or joint, for example as occurs in frozen shoulder.... capsulitis

Linn.

Family: Adiantaceae.

Habitat: All along the Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim between altitudes of 1,800 and 2,700 m.

English: American Maidenhair Fern, Venus Hair, Rock Fern.

Ayurvedic: Hansaraaja, Hansapadi (related sp.).

Unani: Parsiaavashaan.

Siddha/Tamil: Seruppadai.

Folk: Mubaaraka.

Action: Astringent, demulcent, expectorant, antitussive, stimulant, emmenagogue. Fonds used in chronic catarrh (as an ingredient of cough and bronchial medicines); also in cold imposthumes of uterus, hard swellings and hard tumours of spleen, liver and other viscera.

The fern contains flavonoid gluco- sides, including rutin, isoquercetin, as- tragalin, kaempferol; hydroxycinnam- ic acid esters; terpenoids, including adiantone.... adiantum capillus-veneris

A small cyst attached to a germinal layer of the hydatid, containing many protoscolices.... brood capsule

The thickening of the cuticular lining of buccal cavity; buccal capsule may be large, small, vestigial or absent. In some nematodes, the cuticle lining within the buccal capsule may be modified to be chitinous teeth or cutting plates as in Ancylostomatidae or a stylet as in Trichinelloidea.... buccal capsule

(Slavic) Resembling a young stork Capekah, Capecca, Capeccah... capeka

(American) A fanciful woman... capelta

Potency, Lust, Luck... caper

A genus of nematode which includes Capillaria hepatica and C. philippinensis both of which can infect humans.... capillaria

A test for the adequacy of blood circulation by pressing on the skin and seeing how long it takes for the colour to return. (See PERFUSION.)... capillary return

(Latin) An intelligent and superior woman

Capitah, Capyta, Capeta, Capeeta, Capieta, Capeita, Capta, Capytah, Capetah, Capeetah, Capietah, Capeitah, Capeata, Capeatah... capita

Fixed or durable non-labour inputs or factors used in the production of goods and services, the value of such factors, or the money specifically allocated for their acquisition or development. Capital costs include, for example, the buildings, beds and equipment used in the provision of hospital services. Capital assets are usually thought of as permanent and durable, as distinguished from consumables, such as supplies.... capital

The decline in value of capital assets (assets of a permanent or fixed nature, such as goods and plant) with use over time. The rate and amount of depreciation is calculated by a variety of different methods (e.g. straight line, sum of the digits, declining balance), which often give quite different results.... capital depreciation

Expenditure for the acquisition, replacement, modernization or expansion of facilities or equipment which, under generally accepted accounting principles, is not properly chargeable as an expense of operation and maintenance.... capital expenditure

A method of payment for health care services in which an individual or institutional provider is paid a fixed amount for each person served in a set period of time, without regard to the actual number or nature of services provided to each person.... capitation

(American) One who is spontaneous Caplise, Capleece, Capleese, Capliece, Capliese, Capleice, Capleise, Capleace, Caplease... caplice

(Spanish) One who is protected; wearing a cloak... capote

Linn.

Capparis moonii Wight.

Family: Capparidaceae.

Habitat: Indigenous to New Zealand. Now distributed in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Ayurvedic: Rudanti.

Action: Fruit—used in puerperal sepsis and septic wounds, also for debility and cough.

EtOH (50%) extract of aerial parts is CNS depressant.

Fruits contain l-stachydrine, rutin and beta-sitosterol.... capparis spinosa

(Italian) One who is impulsive and unpredictable

Capri, Capricia, Capriana, Caprina, Capryce, Caprise, Capryse... caprice

(Latin) The tenth sign of the zodiac; the goat... capricorn

(Italian) Woman of the island Capri

Caprinah, Caprinna, Capryna, Capreena, Caprena, Capreenah, Carpynah, Capriena, Caprienah, Capreina, Capreinah, Capreana, Capreanah... caprina

The smallest blood or lymph vessel, formed of single layers of interconnected endothelial cells, sometimes with loosely attached connective tissue basement cells for added support. Capillaries allow the transport across their membranes and between their crevices of diffusible nutrients and waste products. Blood capillaries expand and contract, depending upon how much blood is needed in a given tissue and how much is piped into them by the small feeder arteries upstream. They further maintain a strong repelling charge that keeps blood proteins and red blood cells pushed into the center of the flow. Lymph capillaries have many open crypts, allowing free absorption of interstitial fluid forced out of the blood; these capillaries tend to maintain a charge that attracts bits of cellular garbage too large to return through the membranes of exiting venous capillaries.... caplllary

Roth.

Synonym: C. decidua Edgew.

Family: Capparidaceae.

Habitat: Rajasthan, Punjab and Sindh; southward to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

English: Caper Berry.

Ayurvedic: Karira, Krakar, Apatra, Granthila, Marubhoo-ruuha, Niguudhapatra, Karila.

Unani: Kabar, Kabar-ul-Hind, Kabar-e-Hindi; Tenti.

Siddha/Tamil: Chhengan.

Folk: Tenti.

Action: Anti-inflammatory (used for enlarged cervical glands, sciatica, rheumatoid arthritis; externally on swellings, skin eruptions, ringworm). Fruits and seeds—used for urinary purulent discharges and dysentery. Flowers and seeds— antimicrobial. The fruit is used as a pickle.

The root bark contains spermidine alkaloids, used for inflammations, asthma and gout.

Activity of the seed volatiles against vibro cholerae has been recorded.

Aqueous extract of the plant exhibits anthelmintic activity; seeds contain antibacterial principles—glucocapparin; isothiocynate aglycone of glucocap- parin.

The blanched fruits, when fed to rats at 10% dietary fibre level, showed a significant hypocholesterolaemic effect, which is attributed to its hemicel- lose content.

Pickled fruits are use for destroying intestinal worms.

Dosage: Leaf, root—50-125 mg (CCRAS.)

Folk: Hains, Kanthaar.

Action: Antiseptic, antipyretic. Used for eczema and scabies.

Leaves contain taraxasterol, alpha- and beta-amyrin and beta-sitosterol, erythrodiol and betulin.

Dosage: Root—5-10 g powder. (CCRAS.)... capparis aphylla

Linn.

Family: Capparidaceae.

Habitat: Dry regions of the country, also planted as a hedge plant.

English: Indian Caper.

Ayurvedic: Himsraa, Gridhnakhi, Duh-pragharshaa, Kaakdaani, Kabara, Kanthaari.

Siddha/Tamil: Karunjurai.

Family: Cappariadaceae.

Habitat: Native to the Mediterranean region. Distributed in North-west India, Rajasthan, and Peninsular India.

English: Caper Bush.

Ayurvedic: Himsraa, Kaakdaani, Kabara.

Unani: Kabar.

Action: Anti-inflammatory, deob- struent to liver and spleen, diuretic, anthelmintic, vasoconstrictive. Bark—given in splenic, renal and hepatic complaints. Juice of leaves and fruits—anticystic, bactericidal and fungicidal. Dried flower buds— used in scurvy.

Plant gave glucosinolates—glucoi- berin, glucocapparin, sinigrin, gluco- cleomin and glucocapangatin. Rutin has also been reported from plant. The root bark, cortex and leaves gave stachydrine. Stachydrine, when given to dogs, rabbits and rats, quickened the coagulation of blood and reduced loss of blood.... capparis sepiaria

(French) Resembling the watercress Capucine, Capucinia, Capucinea... capucina

The term describing the abnormally dilated veins that form around the umbilicus in CIRRHOSIS of the liver.... caput medusae (medusa’s head)

A membranous structure containing eggs of a tapeworm, in the absence of uterus (e.g. in Dipylidium caninum).... egg capsule

Linn.

Synonym: C. horrida Linn.f.

Family: Cappariadaceae.

Habitat: Common in plains as a hedge plant.

English: Ceylon Caper.

Ayurvedic: Ahimsra (Himsraa and Ahimsra are synonyms). Vyaaghranakhi.

Siddha/Tamil: Aathondai.

Folk: Kareruaa.

Action: Root bark—sedative, stomachic, anticholerin, diuretic febrifuge. Leaves—applied as poultice to piles, swellings, boils.

The plant contains a saponin and p- hydroxybenzoic, syringic, vanillic, fer- ulic and p-coumaric acids. The leaves contain beta-carotene. The leaves and seeds contain glucocapparin, alpha- amyrin, n-triacontane and a fixed oil.

Aerial parts exhibited spasmolytic activity.... capparis zeylanica

(Linn.) Moench.

Family: Cruciferae; Brassicaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India as a weed in cultivated areas and waste places, particularly in the temperate regions up to an altitude of 4,200 m.

English: Shepherd's Purse, St. James's Wort.

Folk: Mumiri.

Action: The herb or its juice extracts are employed to check menorrhagia and haemorrhages from renal and genitourinary tract. Also used in diarrhoea and dysentery and as a diuretic.

Key application: In symptom-based treatment of mild menorrhagia and metrorrhagia. (German Commission E.) The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia reported antihaem- orrhagic action.

Aerial parts contain flavonoids, polypeptides, choline, acetylcholine, histamine and tyramine.

The extract of dried or green plant causes strong contraction of the small intestines and uterus of guinea pigs. A quarternary ammonium salt has been isolated from the herb which is reported to be responsible for its pharmacological activity.

Young leaves contain vitamin A (5,000 IU/100 g) and ascorbic acid (91 mg/100 g); among other constituents are hesperidin and rutin, which reduced permeability of blood vessel walls in white mice. A neoplasm inhibitory substance has been identified as fumaric acid. An inhibitory effect of the extracts of the herb on Ehrlich solid tumour in mice was found to be due to the fumaric acid.

Major constituent of the essential oil is camphor.... capsella bursa-pastoris

Linn.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Native to the West Indies and tropical America; now cultivated throughout tropical regions of India.

English: Chilli, Red Pepper.

Ayurvedic: Raktamaricha, Lankaa, Katuviraa.

Unani: Mirch, Filfil-e-Ahmar, Filfl-e-Surkh, Surkh Mirch.

Siddha/Tamil: Milagay.

Action: Stimulant, accelerates oxygenation of cells, encourages adrenal glands to produce corticos- teroids, increases gastrointestinal secretion. Carminative, antispas- modic, antiseptic. Used externally for rheumatism, backache, lumbago, neuralgia, painful muscle spasm.

Red chilli contains capsaicin (0.11.5%), carotenoids, flavonoids, volatile oil; steroidal saponins (capsicidins, only in seeds).

Capsaicin stimulates the circulation and alters temperature regulation; topically desensitizes nerve endings and acts as a local analgesic.

Capsaicin produces a protective effect in rat lung and liver by strengthening the pulmonary antioxidant enzyme defence system. Acute capsaicin treatment causes release of substance desensitization of the respiratory tract mucosa to a variety of lung irritants.

Red pepper or an equivalent amount of capsaicin, when fed along with cholesterol-containing diets to female albino rats, prevented significantly the rise of liver cholesterol levels.

Vitamin P has been isolated from the chillies. Vitamin C gradually increases during maturation and reaches maximum at the semi-ripe or pink coloured stage and decreases thereafter.

Capsaicin exhibited a hypoglycae- mic effect in dogs; insulin release was increased. (Phytother Res, 2001, Aug 15(5), 391-4.)

Dosage: Fruit—30-60 mg powder. (CCRAS.)... capsicum annuum

Human skills and capabilities generated by investments in education and health.... human capital

Thunb.

Synonym: P. auriculata Lam.

Family: Plumbaginaceae.

Habitat: Native to South Africa; grown in gardens in India.

Ayurvedic: Nila-chitraka (blue- flowered var.). (Bears pale-blue flowers.)

Action: See P. zeylanica.... plumbago capensis

Kin and other sources of support available to an individual.... social capital

Capparis aphylla

Description: This is a thorny shrub that loses its leaves during the dry season. Its stems are gray-green and its flowers pink.

Habitat and Distribution: These shrubs form large stands in scrub and thorn forests and in desert scrub and waste. They are common throughout North Africa and the Middle East.

Edible Parts: The fruit and the buds of young shoots are edible raw.... wild caper

The sum of the institution’s short-term or current assets, including cash, marketable (short-term) securities, accounts receivable and inventories. Net working capital is defined as the excess of total current assets over total current liabilities.... working capital

Linn.

Family: Solanaceae.

Habitat: Cultivated as a condiment crop.

English: Bird Chilli.

Ayurvedic: Katuviraa.

Unani: Surkh Mirch.

Siddha/Tamil: Musi Milagay.

Action: See Capsicum annuum.

Key application: Externally, in painful muscle spasms in areas of shoulder, arm and spine; for treating arthritis, rheumatism, neuralgia, lumbago and chilbains. (German Commission E.) The British Pharmacopoeia reported rubefacient and vasostimulant action.

The plant contains hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid and ascorbic acid. Fruits contain up to 1% of capsaicin.... capsicum frutescens

Linn.

Family: Tiliaceae.

Habitat: Throughout warmer parts of India; extensively cultivated in West Bengal.

English: White Jute.

Ayurvedic: Kaala shaaka.

Siddha/Tamil: Pirattai-keerai.

Folk: Naadi shaaka, Narichaa. Titapat (Bengal).

Action: Leaves—stomachic, carminative, diuretic, antidysenteric (dried leaves). Seeds—purgative.

Seeds contain cardiac glycosides. These include two monosides, helveti- coside and corchoroside A and two polar glycosides, erysimoside and olitori- side. Leaves contain beta-sitosterol- glucoside. Corchoroside A exhibited cardiotonic properties.

The aqueous/alcoholic extracts, containing polysaccharides, may be used in preparations of skin cosmetics or hair preparations for their moisturizing effect.... corchorus capsularis

(Linn.) Sweet.

Synonym: I. biloba Forsk.

Family: Convolvulaceae.

Habitat: Near sea, especially on the West Coast.

English: Goat's Foot Creeper.

Ayurvedic: Chhagalaantri, Mar- yaada-valli.

Siddha/Tamil: Adambu, Attukkal, Musattalai.

Action: Astringent, stomachic, laxative, antidiarrhoeal, antiemetic, analgesic. Leaf—diuretic, anti- inflammatory. Used in colic, prolapsus ani; externally in rheumatism. Essential oil of leaves— antagonistic to histamine. Leaf extract is used for different types of inflammations including injuries caused by poisonous jelly-fish.

Clinical trials have proved that an extract (IPA) inhibited the action of jelly-fish toxins. Its topical application inhibited carrageenan-induced paw and ear oedema induced by arachi- donic acid or ethyl phenylpropionate in rats. The crude extract of leaves also show inhibitory effect on prostaglan- din synthesis in vitro.

Crude extract (IPA) of the leaves has also been shown to antagonize smooth muscle contraction induced by several agonists via non-specific mechanism. Antispasmodic isoprenoids, beta-damascenone and E-phytol have been isolated from the extract. The an- tispasmodic activity was found to be in the same range as that of papaverine.

The alcoholic extract of leaves showed insulinogenic and hypogly- caemic activities in rats, comparable to the hypoglycaemic drug chlor- propamide.

The leaves and seeds contain indole alkaloid. Plant also contains a steroid, an amide, pentatriacontane, triacon- tane, volatile oil and behenic, melissic, butyric and myristic acids.... ipomoea pes-caprae

Linn.

Family: Salicaceae.

Habitat: Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

English: Sallow, Goat Willow, Common Willow.

Ayurvedic: Vetasa, Vaanira, Vidula, Vanjula, Vaanjulaa. In Kerala Homonoia riparia Lour., Euphorbiaceae, is used as Vetasa or Jalavetasa.

Unani: Bed Mushk.

Action: Distilled water from flowers—cordial, stimulant; externally applied to headache. Stem and leaves—astringent. Leaves—decoction used as febrifuge. Bark and twigs—astringent, applied to piles. Ash of wood—used in haemoptysis; mixed with vinegar, applied to piles.

Alkaloids, glycosides and saponins of male racemes increase the amplitude and slow the heartbeat and act more rapidly than digitalis on isolated frog heart.

Flavonoids present in the male racemes are: diometin, isorhamnetin, cap- reoside and salicapreoside.

Phenol glycosides present in the bark are: delphinidin, cyanidin, pipe- colic acid, fragilin, picein, salicin, sal- icortin, salireproside, triandrin and vimalin. Tannin content is reported to be 8-13%.

Salix daphnoides Vill. and Salix ele- gans Wall. (The Himalayas from Kash mir to Nepal) are also known as Jalave- tasa.

Dosage: Leaf, bark, root—50- 100 ml decoction. (CCRAS.)... salix caprea

A caprylic acid formulation that facilitates absorption of calcium and magnesium. Occurs naturally in mother’s milk. Antibacterial and antifungal properties. Like fish oils (EPA) this preparation, extracted from coconut, inhibits clumping of platelets and is effective against the organisms of Candida, rhodotorulla, etc. Taken with a yeast-free and sugar-free diet for Candida. This, and other caprylic formulations, are sometimes used as an alternative to Nystatin. ... capricin

The delusion that a relative or friend has been replaced by an identical impostor. Also known as the

“illusion of doubles’’, the syndrome is seen most frequently in paranoid schizophrenia, but also occurs in organic brain disorders (see brain syndrome, organic) and affective disorders.... capgras’ syndrome

A deficiency of Vitamins C or E allows cells to deteriorate, thus weakening capillary walls and placing them at risk of being broken, severed or mashed; with subsequent clot formation, bruising, nose-bleeds, bleeding gums or petechia (small spots due to effusion of blood under the skin).

Large amounts of Vitamins C and E may be given for this condition without toxicity.

Alternatives. Teas. Dried leaves. Buckwheat. Heartsease. Marigold. Yarrow, Butcher’s Broom, Red Vine. One, or more in combination.

Tablets/capsules. Rutin (Buckwheat). Hawthorn, Motherwort.

Tinctures. Formula. Hawthorn 1; Marigold 1; Yarrow 2. One 5ml teaspoon thrice daily.

Dr Alfred Vogel. Yarrow 42; Horse Chestnut 30; St John’s Wort 21; Arnica 7.

BHP (1983). “Fagopyrum (Buckwheat) combines well with Vitamin C in reducing capillary permeability.”

Diet. Low fat. Low salt. High fibre. Bilberries.

Supplementation. Vitamin C 500mg daily. Vitamin E 400iu daily.

See also: CIRCULATION. PHLEBITIS. BRUISES, etc. ... capillary fragility

See: CAYENNE.

CAPSULES. A convenient vehicle for administration of powders, seeds, oils, balsams, Castor oil, Garlic, Rose Hip, etc, having the advantage to mask nasty tasting or smelly medicines. Ideal for regulating dosage for children. Swallowed, they soon reach the stomach where their contents are slowly released. Gelatin capsules are of animal origin but cellulose non-animal materials are available. Their use extends also to gynaecological and rectal problems, inserted into the vagina or anus.

Standard sizes range from size 5 to 000. Size 00 is most popular in European pharmacy. See: POWDERS.

To fill empty capsules, take apart the two sections, ‘dab’ open end into powder on a flat surface; fill to capacity and affix unfilled half-shell. Manufacturers use a special filling machine for this purpose.

Patients should remain standing for at least 90 seconds after taking capsules, and followed up with sips of water. Swallowing failure is possible when capsules are taken in the recumbent position when they may adhere to the oesophageal membrane delaying disintegration time.

Equipment suppliers: capsules and capsule-making machines – Dav-Caps, PO Box 11, Monmouth, Gwent NP5 3NX. Also: The Herbal Apothecary, 120 High Street, Syston, Leicester 1E7 8GC. ... capsicum

See crown, dental.... capping, dental

The Latin word for head.

The term is commonly used to refer to the caput succedaneum, a soft, temporary swelling in the scalp of newborn babies, caused by pressure during labour.

Caput is also used to refer to the face, skull, and associated organs, to the origin of a muscle, or to any enlarged extremity, such as the caput femoris, the head of the femur (thigh bone).... caput

see frozen shoulder.... adhesive capsulitis

the cup-shaped end of a *nephron, which encloses a knot of blood capillaries (glomerulus). It is the site of primary filtration of the blood into the kidney tubule. [Sir W. P. Bowman (1816–92), British physician]... bowman’s capsule

n. a drug of the *fluoropyrimidine class that is used in treatment of advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, and breast cancer. Side-effects may include blood disorders (see myelosuppression) and mouth ulcers.... capecitabine

(illusion of doubles) the delusion that a person closely involved with the patient has been replaced by an identical-looking impostor. It is often, but not necessarily, a symptom of paranoid *schizophrenia. [J. M. J. Capgras (1873–1950), French psychiatrist]... capgras’ syndrome

a quickly performed test to assess the adequacy of circulation in an individual with poor cardiac output. An area of skin is pressed firmly by (say) a fingertip until it loses its colour; the number of seconds for the area to return to its original colour indicates capillary refill time. Normal capillary refill takes around 2 seconds. Slow capillary refill may occur globally in an individual with poor circulation or in a small area (e.g. a toe) in which local circulation is compromised (due, for example, to peripheral vascular disease). This test may not be very useful in people with dark skin.... capillary refill time

adj. head-shaped; having a rounded extremity.... capitate

the largest bone of the wrist (see carpus). It articulates with the scaphoid and lunate bones behind, with the second, third, and fourth metacarpal bones in front, and with the trapezoid and hamate laterally.... capitate bone

n. the state of being able to make decisions about one’s medical care, i.e. to consent to or to refuse treatment. The law, by virtue of the *Mental Capacity Act 2005, requires that to assess capacity doctors should evaluate whether a patient can comprehend, retain, and weigh up information in the balance such as to make a considered decision that can be communicated. The patient must understand the nature, purpose, and possible consequences of having and not having investigations or treatments. Capacity is often impaired in such conditions as stroke, dementia, learning disability, mental illness, and intoxication with illicit substances. The term competence is often used as a synonym, but since the Mental Capacity Act 2005 came into force capacity is the preferred term. See also incompetence. —capacitous adj.... capacity

n. see capitulum.... capitellum

n. the small rounded end of a bone that articulates with another bone. For example, the capitulum humeri (or capitellum) is the round prominence at the elbow end of the humerus that articulates with the radius.... capitulum

n. (in dentistry) 1. a colloquial term for crowning: the technique of fitting a tooth with an artificial *crown. 2. see pulp capping.... capping

n. an antibiotic, derived from the bacterium Streptomyces capreolus, that is used in the treatment of tuberculosis. It is given with other antituberculosis drugs to reduce the development of resistance by the infective bacteria. The more serious side-effects include ear and kidney damage.... capreomycin

see video capsule endoscopy.... capsule endoscopy

n. a continuous tear made in the lens capsule of the eye. In anterior capsulorrhexis, performed during cataract surgery, the tear is made in the anterior surface of the capsule. It has the advantage over a *capsulotomy in making the residual capsule much more resilient to being torn during surgery.... capsulorrhexis

n. an incision made in the capsule of the lens. In posterior capsulotomy a hole is made in the centre of the posterior capsule using a *YAG laser, thus providing a clear path for light rays to reach the retina. The laser light is aimed using a modified slit-lamp microscope from outside the eye.... capsulotomy

(IMCA) a person who must, by virtue of the *Mental Capacity Act 2005, be contacted to represent the *best interests of a patient who lacks *capacity and has no family or friends while acting as a proxy in medical decision-making. IMCAs are available via the local Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy Service.... independent mental capacity advocate

legislation for England and Wales, which came into force in October 2007, to govern the treatment of people who lack *capacity to make decisions. It gives legal force to the importance of *autonomy in health care and to *advance directives, decisions, or statements. It also provides statutory legislation for medical and social decision-makers to act in the patient’s best interests should he or she lose capacity (see Independent Mental Capacity Advocate). It allows proportionate force to implement decisions made in a patient’s best interests. For Scotland the current legislation is the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.... mental capacity act 2005

the cup-shaped cartilage in the head of an embryo that later develops into the bony *labyrinth of the ear.... otic capsule

progressive clouding of the posterior lens capsule due to *Elschnig pearls and proliferation of lens fibres following extracapsular *cataract extraction by *phacoemulsification. This can lead to clouding of vision and is treated with YAG laser *capsulotomy.... posterior capsular opacification

(PCWP) an indirect measurement of the pressure of blood in the left atrium of the heart, which indicates the adequacy of left heart function. It is measured using a catheter wedged in the most distal segment of the pulmonary artery. See also Swan-Ganz catheter.... pulmonary capillary wedge pressure

the procedure of covering an exposed tooth pulp (direct pulp cap) or nearly exposed tooth pulp (indirect pulp cap) following trauma with a medicament (usually based on calcium hydroxide), which is then covered with a temporary or permanent *restoration.... pulp capping

a condition that occurs when the upper (capital) epiphysis of the femur slips in relation to the rest of the femur. It most commonly affects older teenage boys who are overweight. The main symptoms are pain in the hip or knee and limping gait. It can be diagnosed on X-ray. Treatment usually involves surgery to stabilize the epiphysis.... slipped capital femoral epiphysis

the fibrous tissue that lines the orbit and surrounds the eyeball. [J. R. Tenon (1724–1816), French surgeon]... tenon’s capsule

(VCE) an investigation for visualizing the intestinal lining (mucosa). A capsule containing a miniature digital video camera is swallowed by the patient and passively propelled through the intestine by peristalsis. The images are uploaded to a computer for subsequent analysis. Various capsules are available for investigation of oesophageal, small-intestinal, and colonic disorders. The commonest in use is the small-intestinal capsule, for investigation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, recurrent iron-deficiency anaemia, or in cases of suspected Crohn’s disease, coeliac disease, or small-bowel tumours.... video capsule endoscopy