Medical dictionary

What is a cone biopsy?A cone biopsy, also known as cervical conisation, is small diagnostic procedure, performed using general anaesthetic, that removes a cone-shaped section of abnormal tissue from the cervix. A cone biopsy is used to detect cervical cancer or pre-cancerous cells. It is also a treatment option to remove all abnormal (pre-cancerous cells) cells. What does a cone bio

What is congenital glaucoma?   Congenital glaucoma, or childhood glaucoma, is a rare condition which affects babies and young children, in which the drainage system in the eye does not develop properly, causing increased intraocular pressure. This pressure damages the optic nerve, which transmits information between the retina and the brain. It is usually diagnosed within a child’

What is a congenital heart disease?         A congenital heart disease happens when there is a malformation of the heart or nearby vessels of the newborn or foetus. Some of these heart diseases don’t develop until months or years later.      In these cases we speak of a congenital heart defect, such as an underdeveloped heart, narr

What are congenital malformations? Congenital malformations are defects or abnormalities in the baby's body that develop during pregnancy. There are more than 4,000 types of congenital malformations, and they are categorised into two main groups: Structural congenital malformations: Those in which the baby is born without a part of the body or they have a malformation in that part. Wi

What is congenital torticollis? Torticollis, also known as wry neck, is a condition in which the patient’s neck is abnormally twisted, leaving the head at an asymmetrical angle. It is often painful and difficult to turn the head from this position. There are two categories of torticollis: acquired and congenital. Congenital means the patient was born with the condition. While acquired

What is conjunctivitis? Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva, the transparent membrane which covers the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. Sometimes referred to as 'pink eye', this inflammation can be caused by allergies or by an infection: Viral conjunctivitis Bacterial conjunctivitis Allergic conjunctivitis Conjunctivitis generally doe

What is connective tissue disease? A connective tissue disease is any one of a number of conditions that affect the connective tissues of the body. Connective tissues are those that join and support different organs and body parts, and include tendons, ligaments, cartilage, adipose (fat) tissue, and bone. Connective tissues are made up of proteins such as collagen and elastin. In connect

What is Conn’s syndrome? Primary hyperaldosteronism/aldosteronism, which is sometimes known as Conn’s syndrome, is a condition where the adrenal gland produces and releases too much aldosterone hormone into the bloodstream. Aldosterone is the hormone that regulates blood pressure and the water-salt metabolism.    Most cases are caused by a benign tumour growing

What is consanguinity? Consanguinity refers to when a couple are blood relatives (they share an ancestor). An example is a when a couple are first cousins. Consanguinity is quite common in many cultures.   If a couple are consanguineous (related) their children have a higher chance of being affected by autosomal recessive genetic disorders. These only occur if a child has a mutation (c