Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

claustrophobiaIntense fear of being

in enclosed spaces, such as lifts, or of

being in crowded areas. Behaviour ther-

apyis the usual form of treatment.

clavicleThe collarbone. The 2 clavicles,

1 on each side, form joints with the top

of the sternum (breastbone) and the

scapula (shoulderblade). The clavicles

support the arms and transmit forces

from the arms to the central skeleton.

claw-footA deformity of the foot in

which the arch of the foot is exaggerated

and the tips of the toes turn under. Claw-

foot may be present from birth or result

from damage to the nerve or blood sup-

ply to the muscles of the foot. Surgery

may improve the condition.

claw-handA deformity in which the

fingers are permanently curled, caused

by injury to the ulnar nerve. Treatment

includes repair of the damaged nerve, if

possible, by using splints to hold the

finger straight, or cutting a tendon in

the wrist to allow the fingers to straighten.

claw-toeA deformity of unknown cause

in which the end of one or more affected

toes bends downwards so that the toe

curls under. A painful cornmay develop

on the tip of the toe or on the top of the

bent joint. Protective pads can relieve

pressure from footwear. In severe cases,

surgery may be required.

cleft lip and palateA split in the

upper lip and/or palate that is present

at birth. Cleft lip is a vertical, usually

off-centre split in the upper lip that may

be a small notch or may extend to the

nose. The upper gum may also be cleft,

and the nose may be crooked. The term

hare lip refers only to a midline cleft lip,

which is rare. Cleft palate is a gap that

may extend from the back of the palate

to behind the teeth and be open to the

nasal cavity. Cleft palate is often accom-

panied by partial deafness and there

may be other birth defects.

Surgery to repair a cleft lip may be

undertaken in the first few days after

birth or at about 3 months. It improves

appearance; after repair, speech defects

are rare. A cleft palate is usually re-

paired at about 12 months, but further

surgery, orthodontic treatment, and

speech therapymay be required.

clemastineAn antihistamine drugused to

relieve the symptoms of allergies such

as urticariaand allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

Clemastine can cause drowsiness.

clergyman’s kneeInflammation of the

bursathat cushions the pressure point

over the tibial tubercle (the bony promi-

nence just below the knee) caused by

prolonged kneeling (see bursitis).

climactericSee menopause.

clindamycinAn antibiotic drug with

severe side effects, used only to treat

serious infections that do not respond

to other antibiotic drugs.

clitoridectomyAn operation to remove

the clitoris(see circumcision, female).

clitorisPart of the female genitalia – a

small, sensitive, erectile organ, located

just below the pubic bone and partly

enclosed within the folds of the labia.

The clitoris swells and becomes more

sensitive during sexual stimulation.

clofibrateA lipid-lowering drug that

reduces levels of cholesteroland trigly-

ceridesin the blood and is a treatment

for some types of hyperlipidaemia.

clomifeneA drug used to treat female

infertilitycaused by failure to ovulate.

Minor side effects may include hot flush-

es, nausea, headache, breast tenderness,

and blurred vision. Occasionally, ovarian

cystsdevelop, but these shrink when

the dose is reduced. Use of the drug

may result in multiple births.

clomipramineA tricyclic antidepressant

drugused as treatment for depression.

Side effects include dry mouth, blurred

vision, and constipation.

clonazepamA benzodiazepine drug that

is usedmainly as an anticonvulsant drug

CLAUSTROPHOBIA CLONAZEPAM

C

CLAVICLE

Clavicle

Humerus

Scapula

Sternum

Vertebral column