Dictionary

Named signs

Signs and patterns named after the people who described them: Kussmaul, Homans, Chvostek and more.

Chadwick signA bluish or purplish color of the cervix, vagina and vulva in early pregnancy.

Charcot triadThree findings together: fever with chills, pain in the upper right abdomen, and jaundice.

Cheyne-Stokes respirationsA breathing pattern in which breaths grow deeper and then shallower in a repeating cycle, with pauses in breathing between cycles.

Chvostek signA twitch of the muscles of the face when the facial nerve, just in front of the ear, is tapped.

coffee-ground emesisVomit that is dark brown and grainy, like used coffee grounds.

Courvoisier signA swollen gallbladder that can be felt through the abdomen but is not tender, in a person with jaundice.

Cullen signBluish or purplish bruising of the skin around the navel.

currant jelly stoolsStool made of dark red blood mixed with mucus, looking like red currant jelly.

Cushing triadA group of three findings: rising systolic blood pressure with a widening pulse pressure, a slowing pulse, and irregular breathing.