Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

change of life
See 
menopause.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
A genetic dis-
ease of nerves that is characterized by progressively
debilitating weakness, particularly of the limbs. The
foremost feature is marked wasting of the extremi-
ties, particularly in the calves, resulting in “stork
legs.” The disease usually weakens the legs before it
weakens the arms. Pes cavus (deformity of the foot)
is often the first sign of the disease. The disease is
one of the most common genetic diseases, and it is
the most common genetic disorder of peripheral
nerves. The disease can be inherited as an autoso-
mal dominant trait, an autosomal recessive trait, or
an X-linked trait. There are also sporadic cases in
which there is no family history due to a new domi-
nant mutation. Abbreviated CMT. Also known as
peroneal muscular atrophy and hereditary motor
and sensory neuropathy.
charley horse
Slang for a cramp in a muscle in
the leg, usually caused by a strain or injury. A
charley horse can last anywhere from a few seconds
to over a quarter of an hour. It is not uncommon for
one to recur before it finally resolves.
chart, Snellen
The familiar eye chart used to
measure how well a person sees at various dis-
tances. A Snellen chart is imprinted with block let-
ters that decrease in size line by line, corresponding
to the distance at which that line of letters is nor-
mally visible.
chase the dragon
A practice of heroin use that
involves heating heroin and then inhaling it. This
cervical cancer
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practice carries a risk of irreversible brain damage
and death.
cheek
The side of the face, which forms the side
wall of the mouth. The cheekbone is part of the tem-
poral bone of the skull, and it provides the promi-
nence of the cheek. The term cheek also refers to
something that has the form of the human cheek,