Cobalamin, Cobalamine - Code

cobalamin, cobalamine

(kō-bal′ă-mĭn, kō-bal′ă-mēn″) [cobal(t) + (vit)amin] Vitamin B₁₂.

cobalt

(kō′balt″) [Ger. Kobalt] SYMB: Co. A hard, gray, ductile, metallic element, atomic mass (weight) 59.933, atomic number 27, specific gravity 8.9. Cobalt deficiency causes anemia in ruminants, but this has not been demonstrated in humans. Cobalt is an essential element in vitamin B₁₂. Cobalt stimulates production of red blood cells, but its use as a therapeutic agent is not advised. In children, cobalt overdose may cause death. In adults, it may cause anorexia, nausea, vomiting, deafness, and thyroid hyperplasia with resultant compression of the trachea.

cobalt-57

A radioactive isotope of cobalt with a half-life of 272 days.

cobalt-60

A radioactive isotope of cobalt, having a half-life of 5.27 years. It formerly served as a source of beta and gamma rays in radiation units used to treat malignancies. Modern radiation units have replaced cobalt-60 by higher-energy sources, e.g., linear accelerators.

cobalt machine

A radiation therapy unit that uses the gamma rays emitted by radioactive cobalt-60 isotopes to treat the relatively shallow cancers of the head and neck (and other regions of the body).

Coban

Trade name for a self-adherent compression bandage used for protection and edema control. Also called Coban wrap.

Cobb angle

(kob) [J.R. Cobb, 20th-cent. U.S. orthopedic surgeon] The angle formed by the intersection of two lines drawn on a spinal radiograph of a person (usually a child or adolescent) suspected of having scoliosis. One line is drawn parallel to the lower surface of the lowest affected vertebral body, and the other is drawn parallel to the upper surface of the highest affected body. Angles of greater than 10% are diagnostic of scoliosis.

cobinamide

A precursor of vitamin B₁₂. Like hydroxocobalamin, it can be used to manage cyanide poisoning. SEE: hydroxocobalamin; vitamin B₁₂.

COBRA

(kō′bră) Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act.

cobra

(kō′bră) [fr. Portuguese cobra (de capello), (hooded) snake] Any of a group of poisonous snakes of the genera Naja, Ophiophagus and other genera, native to parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia. SEE: Naja; Ophiophagus.

COCA

color, odor, consistency, amount (for assessing drainage from the body).

coca

(kō′kă) Dried leaves of the shrub Erythroxylum coca, from which several alkaloids including cocaine are obtained.

cocaine

(kō-kān′) Cocaine hydrochloride.

cocaine baby

SEE: under baby.