Medical dictionary

What is craniosynostosis? Craniosynostosis is a problem with the growth and development of the skull in childhood. Normally, the skull of a child is made up of a number of plates which fit together but don’t fuse until adulthood. In craniosynostosis, some of these plates fuse early, causing the skull to have an irregular shape. Craniosynostosis is a rare condition, affecting just 1 in

What is analysed?C-reactive (CRP) protein is an acute phase reactant (a protein) produced by the liver in response to inflammation in the body.Elevated levels of CRP can occur, for example, because of tissue injury, infection, heart attack, disease, inflammatory disorders, or recent surgery.What does the result mean?The CRP test measures CRP levels in the bloodstream in order to indicate whether t

What is being analysed? Creatinine clearance is a crucial medical analysis that measures the rate at which the kidneys filter creatinine, a waste product produced by muscle metabolism. The analysis evaluates how well the kidneys are functioning in removing creatinine from the blood.   What does the result mean? The creatinine clearance result indicates the efficiency of the ki

What is analysed? Creatine Kinase (CK) analysis involves measuring the levels of CK enzyme in the blood to assess muscle damage or heart-related conditions. What does the result mean? The result indicates the level of CK enzyme in the bloodstream. Elevated CK levels may suggest muscle injury, heart attack, or other medical conditions. Why undergo the analysis? CK analysis is per

What is analysed? Creatine Kinase MB (CK-MB) is an enzyme primarily found in the heart muscle. The CK-MB test measures enzyme levels in the blood, assessing and monitoring cardiac health with a focus on potential heart muscle damage. What does the result mean? Elevated CK-MB levels may indicate heart muscle damage, such as during a heart attack or other cardiac events.   W

What is being analysed? Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscles during metabolism. When your body breaks down creatine, a substance important for muscle function, creatinine is formed. The analysis of creatinine levels in the blood and urine provides valuable insights into kidney function. What does the result mean? Creatinine levels in the blood and urine help assess the ef

What is Crohn’s disease?Crohn’s disease is a type of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any part of the digestive tract from mouth to anus, but is most commonly found at the end of the small intestine, where this meets the colon (large intestine). It is characterised by inflammation, which is often severe and can be debilitating, and may extend through the whole width of the

What is cross-dominance? Cross-dominance is also known as mixed-handedness and occurs when a person favours one hand for certain tasks and the opposite hand for other things. For example, a mixed-handed person might write with their right hand and do everything else with the left one. Cross-dominance may also be known as mixed laterality, which refers to a person favouring motor skills on on

What is croup?Croup is a contagious condition which causes your child’s upper airways to swell. The swelling occurs in the larynx (vocal cords), trachea (windpipe) and (bronchial tubes), bronchi, which is why croup is sometimes referred to as laryngotracheobronchitis. Croup mainly occurs in children between 6 months and 3 years old. It is slightly more common in boys, and it tends to occur mo