Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

complete androgen insensitivity syndrome
An older term for the complete androgen insensitiv-
ity syndrome, a genetic disorder that makes XY
fetuses insensitive (unresponsive) to androgens
(male hormones). Instead, they are born looking
externally like normal girls. Internally, there is a
short blind-pouch vagina and no uterus, fallopian
tubes, or ovaries. There are testes in the abdomen
or the inguinal canal. The complete androgen
insensitivity syndrome is usually detected at puberty
when a girl should but does not begin to menstru-
ate. The gene for the syndrome is on the X chromo-
some and codes for the androgen receptor (also
called the dihydrotestosterone receptor). There are
also partial androgen insensitivity syndromes.
complete blood count
See 
CBC.
complete hysterectomy
See 
hysterectomy,
total.
complete syndactyly
See 
syndactyly, complete.
complication
In medicine, an unanticipated
problem that arises following, and is a result of, a
procedure, treatment, or illness. A complication is
so named because it complicates the situation.
compound fracture
See 
fracture, compound.
compound microscope
A microscope that con-
sists of two microscopes in series, the first serving
as the ocular lens (close to the eye) and the second
serving as the objective lens (close to the object to
be viewed).
compress
Cloth or another material applied
under pressure to an area of the skin and held in
place for a period of time. A compress can be any
temperature, and it can be dry or wet. It may also be
impregnated with medication or an herbal remedy.
Most compresses are used to relieve inflammation.
compression fracture
See 
fracture, compres-
sion.