Basicmedical Key

Deafness Deafness is loss of hearing and may be divided into ‘conductive’ and ‘sensorineural’ to facilitate interpretation of clinical examination. Causes Conductive Deafness Congenital • Atresia of the meatus Acquired • Obstruction…

Cyanosis Cyanosis is the abnormal blue discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes resulting from the presence of 5 g/dL or more of reduced haemoglobin in the blood. It is not…

Convulsions A convulsion is a series of involuntary violent contractions of voluntary muscles. Causes Neurological • Epilepsy • Febrile convulsions Traumatic • Head injuries Metabolic • Hypoxia • Glucose • Electrolyte abnormalities, e.g. calcium, sodium • Uraemia…

Constipation Constipation is a common complaint that results from decreased frequency of abnormally firm motions for a particular patient. It must be related to the patient’s normal bowel habit. Acute…

Confusion Confusion is a behavioural state of reduced mental clarity, coherence, comprehension and reasoning. The causes may be organic or psychiatric (the reader is referred to a textbook of psychiatry…

Axillary Swellings The great majority of axillary swellings are enlarged lymph nodes. Axillary nodes are often enlarged due to secondary deposits from carcinoma of the breast. Most axillary swellings are…

Arm Swellings Swelling may be localised or generalised. Localised swellings may be related to joints or fractures. Localised swellings around joints are covered in the section on Joint disorders (p….