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CcCapsulitis: Inflammation of tissues enclosing a joint. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Soreness, tenderness, and weakness of the muscles of the thumb, index and middle fingers caused by pressure on the median nerve at the point at which it goes through the carpal tunnel of the wrist. Cartilage: The dense connective tissue between the bodies of the vertebrae (the intervertebral discs) and between the articular surfaces of the joints. Cauda Equina: The end portion of the spinal cord and the roots of the spinal nerves below the first vertebra in the low back. Central Nervous System: The combination of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves that control voluntary and involuntary acts.
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF): Liquid which fills the ventricles of the brain and surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Cervical: Referring to the neck. The cervical spine has seven vertebrae (C1 through C-7) which allow for head and neck movement. Cervicogenic Headache: A headache that originates in the neck. Chiropractic: A branch of the healing arts focused on human health, disease processes, and physiological and biochemical aspects of the body including structural, spinal, musculoskeletal, neurological, vascular, nutritional, emotional and environmental relationships. Chiropractic procedures include the adjustment and manipulation of the articulations and adjacent tissues of the human body, particularly of the spinal column. Included is the treatment of intersegmental dysfunction for alleviation of related functional disorders. Chiropractors do not use medications or surgery.However, nutritional supplementation may be prescribed. Chronic: A condition of long standing. Health care providers consider injuries or conditions still existing 12 weeks after the occurrence to be chronic. Circumlocution: Use of other words to describe a specific word or idea which cannot be remembered. Civil Law: Law developed by governmental groups such as statutes, regulations and ordinances enacted by legislative bodies such as Congress, state legislatures, county and city officials. This is different from laws based on custom. Claim: A demand for compensation. Claimant: A person who makes a claim or asserts a right. The plaintiff in a personal injury case may also be known as the claimant. Clavicle: The “collar bone” which articulates with the scapula, acromion and the sternum. Clonus: A sustained series of rhythmic jerks following quick stretch of a muscle. Closing Argument : The chronological and psychological conclusion of a trial. The last opportunity for the attorneys representing each party to communicate directly with the jury and/or judge about their theory of the case, explain contested facts, and argue why their side should prevail. C.O.B.R.A.: A federal program that allows people who lose or leave their jobs to pay for and keep their employee health insurance for up to 18 months. People who become disabled soon after they lose their job can pay for and keep their employee health insurance for up to 29 months after leaving their job. Cognition: The conscious process of knowing or being aware of thoughts or perceptions, including understanding and reasoning. Cognitive Rehabilitation: Therapy programs which aid persons in the management of specific problems in thinking and perception. Skills are practiced and strategies are taught to help improve function and/or compensate for remaining deficits. Coma: A state of unconsciousness from which the person cannot be aroused, even by powerful stimulation; lack of any response to one’s environment. Community Resources: Public or private agencies, schools or programs offering services, usually of a social nature, to the public. They are usually funded by governmental bodies, community drives, donations and fees. Comparative Fault: An affirmative defense available to the defendant. Reduction of the plaintiff’s recovery in proportion to the percentage of negligence or fault attributed to the plaintiff. Competency OR Capacity: A decision only a judge can make about whether a person is able to make informed choices about their living situation, finances, or health care. A judge must hold a hearing and be given convincing evidence that the person cannot make informed choices. People who lack the ability to make these choices are called “incompetent” or “incapacitated”. Complaint: A formal statement filed by the plaintiff with the court that sets forth his/her injuries and damages and why he/she believes the defendant is liable. Common Law: Body of law developed over a long period of time which derives its authority solely from usage and custom. Concrete Thinking: A style of thinking in which the individual sees each situation as unique and is unable to generalize from the similarities between situations. Thinking in which language is interpreted literally. Concussion: Any alteration in cerebral function caused by direct or indirect (rotation) force transmitted to the head resulting in one or more of the following: a brief loss of consciousness, lightheadedness, vertigo, cognitive and memory dysfunction, tinnitus, difficulty concentrating, amnesia, headache, balance disorder, nausea or vomiting. Confabulation: Verbalizations about people, places and events with no basis in reality. The person appears to “fill in” gaps in memory with plausible facts. Confusion: A state in which a person is bewildered, perplexed or unable to self-orient. Connective Tissue: Tissue connecting and supporting muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Consciousness: The state of awareness of the self and the environment. Continent: The ability to control urination and bowel movements. Contracture: Loss of range of motion in a joint due to abnormal shortening of soft tissues.
Cortical Blindness: Loss of vision resulting from a lesion of the primary visual areas of the occipital lobe. Light reflex is preserved. Corticosteroid: A potent anti-inflammatory drug.
Coup Damage: Damage to the brain at the point of impact. Counter Claim: The defendant sues the plaintiff for damages for which the defendant claims the plaintiff is legally liable or at fault. Court Rules: The rules governing legal proceedings in all courts in Washington state. Many counties also have Local Rules (LR) specifying rules of practice unique to that county. Court of Appeals: This court is established to review appeals from the trial court. It can affirm or overturn, in whole or in part, a trial court’s decision. A party has a legal right to appeal any final decision of a superior court to the Court of Appeals. Craniosacral Therapy: A manipulation-based therapy first developed by William Sutherland, D.O. It is based upon the belief that cranial plates are mobile and connected to the spinal cord and sacrum through the meninges. Some techniques concentrate on detecting cranial plates that are “out of place” and correcting these dysfunctions. While controversial, many patients report relief of headaches and tempormandibular joint pain with the technique. Crepitus:Crunching, rubbing or snapping sounds heard or felt when moving a joint. Cross Claim: The defendant brings a claim against another defendant in the same lawsuit or identifies a new party not previously named by the plaintiff in the lawsuit, asserting that party is responsible for the plaintiff’s damages. Cross Examination: The questioning of a witness by the adverse party. Cryotherapy: The application of ice to injury sites to reduce inflammation and pain by decreasing blood flow in the area of the injury or discomfort. CT Discogram: A discogram followed by a CT Scan. The CT scan allows visualization of the disc structure following the injection of radiographic dye during the discography procedure. CT Myelogram: A myelogram followed by a CT scan. This technique visualizes the spinal nerves as they relate to the surrounding bony structures. This study is commonly used for surgical planning. CT Scan: Also called CAT scan, Computer Tomography, Computer Assisted Tomography, or Computer Axial Tomography. The use of x-ray energy passing through the body at different angles and processed through a computer to produce a cross-sectional (axial) image of an area of the body. The current term, CT Scan, is the most accurate since reformatting has allowed other planes to be imaged besides just the axial plane. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: “Cubital tunnel” refers to a passageway along the inner part of the elbow bounded by bones, muscles and ligaments. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome involves symptoms of numbness, tingling, or weakness of the pinky and ring fingers due to compression of the ulnar nerve passing through the cubital tunnel. Cue: A signal or direction used to assist a person in performing an activity (telling a person the initial of your first name serves as a cue when he cannot remember your name). Custodial Care: Services and supports that can be provided by most people and do not require special training. The opposite of custodial care is often called skilled nursing care. |
Cerebellum: The
portion of the brain (located at the back) which helps coordinate movement.
Damage may result in ataxia.
Contusion,
Brain: A bruise. The result of a blow to the
head which bruises the brain.
Contrecoup: Bruising
of brain tissue on the side opposite where the blow was struck.