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cancer

Also called malignancy. Cancer is an abnormal growth of calls that can occur anywhere in the body, and has the tendency to grow uncontrollably.

cardiomyopathy

A problem of the heart muscle that causes it not to pump like normal. The muscle can be too flabby (dilated cardiomopathy) or too tight (restrictive cardiomyopathy).

carrier

A carrier of a genetic condition is one who has a copy of the affected gene.

catheterization

A procedure where a flexible plastic tube is placed inside a vein in the upper leg or neck and pushed until it sits in a vein next to the heart. The tube can then be used to squirt dye into the heart to see how it is working or it can even be used to fix certain problems in the heart.

cells

The basic structural and functional units of all organisms including humans. They may exist and function alone (like blood cells) or in groups (like tissues and organs.

cholangiocarcinoma

a cancer of the bile ducts

chorionic villous sample

CVS is a procedure that is performed by removing a small sample of the placenta from the uterus. The sample is evaluated for chromosomal abnormalities in the baby. It is removed with either a catheter (a thin tube) or a needle. Local anesthesia is sometimes used for this test. CVS is usually done between the 10th and 12th weeks of pregnancy.

chromosome

Tightly packed bundles of DNA contained in almost all cells in the body, responsible for the determination and transmission of hereditary characteristics. There are normally 46 chromosomes in each cell in humans.

chromosome abnormality

Abnormality in the number of chromosomes or location and structure of DNA on the chromosome.

cleft lip and palate

A split or opening in the lip or palate or both.