Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Glossary
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C
CBC: Complete blood count
Cell: Portion of protoplasm usually enclosed in a membrane, ultimate element of organic structures
Chemokine: Protein that activates white blood cells and causes them to move towards its origin and is involved in an inflammatory response
Chromosome: A DNA-containing linear body of the cell nuclei of plants or animals, responsible for determination of hereditary characteristics; each human cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes
Clubbing: Deformity of the fingers and fingernails associated with a number of diseases, mostly of the heart and lung
Colchicine: A poisonous alkaloid used to treat inflammatory diseases such as gout
Collagen: The major protein in scar tissue
Concomitant: Accompanying Conidia Spores derived from fungi that may be dispersed into the air and breathed into the lungs causing an infection or inflammation
Cor Pulmonale: Failure of right side of heart caused by chronic lung disease
Corpuscle: Minute body especially forming distinct part of organism
Corticosteroids: A steroid compound produced in the adrenal cortex and having anti-inflammatory and metabolic activity when given in large doses
Cryptogenic: Of obscure or unknown origin
Cyanosis: Blue colored skin Cyto- Referring to cell
Cytogenesis: The formation and development of cells
Cytokine: Group of proteinaceous signally compounds that are used extensively for inter-cell communications
Cytology: The study of the formation, structure, and function of cells
Cytolysis: The dissolution of a cell
Cytomegalovirus: A member of the herpes virus family often referred to as CMV and one of the most common human viruses
D
Dendritic Cells: These are potent antigen presenting cells that stimulate T cells which recognize the antigen. They are present in small quantities in tissue that are in contact with the external environment, manly skin but also lining of the nose and lung
Desquamate: To shed, peel, or scale off
DIP: Desquamative Interstitial Pneumonia
Dlco: Diffusion coefficient for carbon monoxide, a method for measuring the transfer of oxygen from the air into blood in the lung
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid–Nucleic acid that is found in the cell nucleus and that is the carrier of genetic information
Dys-: Abnormal, impaired
Dysplasia: Altered shape, size, organization of cells
Dyspnea: Shortness of breath that produces marked discomfort and anxiety
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