Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

“illusion of doubles’’, the syndrome is

seen most frequently in paranoid

schizophrenia,but also occurs in organ-

ic brain disorders (see brain syndrome,

organic)and affective disorders.

capillaryAny of the vessels that carry

blood between the smallest arteries, or

arterioles, and the smallest veins, or ven-

ules (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 capil-

laries 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 cortico-

steroid drugs, and scurvy(vitamin C

deficiency) make capillaries more frag-

ile; a tendency to purpura (small areas

of bleeding under the skin) may develop.

capping, dentalSee crown, dental.

capsuleAn anatomical structure en-

closing an organ or body part: for

example, capsules enclose the liver, kid-

neys, joints, and eye lenses.

The term capsule is also used to de-

scribe a soluble, elongated shell, usually

made of gelatine, containing a drug to be

taken by mouth. The coating of some cap-

sules prevents a drug that may have an

irritant effect being released into the

stomach, or allows a drug to be released

slowly so it can be taken less frequently.

capsulitisInflammation of a capsule

around an organ or joint, for example as

occurs in frozen shoulder.

captoprilA drug belonging to the cate-

gory ACE inhibitors, which are used in

the treatment of hypertension, heart fail-

ure, and diabeticnephropathy.

caputThe 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 ori-

gin of a muscle, or to any enlarged

extremity, such as the caput femoris,

the head of the femur (thigh bone).

carbamazepineAn anticonvulsant drug,

chemically related to the tricyclic anti-

depressants. Carbamazepine is mainly

used in the long-term treatment of epi-

lepsy. It is also used to treat neuralgiaand

psychological disorders, such as mania.

carbarylAn insecticide used to treat

head lice and crab lice. Carbaryl is

applied topically as a liquid, avoiding

contact with the eyes or broken skin.

carbenoxoloneAn ulcer-healing drug

used to treat oesophageal inflammation

and ulceration. A gel containing carben-

oxolone is used to relieve mouth ulcers.

carbimazoleA drug that is used to treat

hyperthyroidism (overactivity of the thy-

roid gland). Carbimazole is slow to take

effect, so beta-blockersmay be given to

relieve symptoms in the interim. Long-

term treatment with carbimazole may

reduce production of blood cells, so

regular blood counts are required. Ad-

verse effects may include headaches,

dizziness, joint pain, and nausea.

carbohydratesA group of compounds

composed of carbon, hydrogen, and

oxygen, which supply the body with its

main source of energy. Carbohydrates

are found in fruits, cereals, and root

crops and fall into 2 groups. These are

available carbohydrates, which are meta-

bolizedinto glucose for the body’s use,

and unavailable carbohydrates, such as

cellulose, which cannot be broken down

by digestive enzymesand make up the

bulk of dietary fibre (see fibre, dietary).

CAPILLARY CARBOHYDRATES

C

Ateriole

CAPILLARY NETWORK

Capillary Capillary wall

Venule CAPILLARY

SECTION

Cell

nucleus

CAPILLARY