CHEST. _Thorax._ An old English term, commonly traced to the Latin _cista_.—“When it is considered that the same word was anciently used for a _basket_, the appropriation of it to the human thorax will appear quite natural to any one who has ever seen a skeleton.”—_Forbes._ CHYLE (Gr. _chulòs_, juice). The milk-like fluid absorbed by the lacteal vessels. CHYLIFICATION (L. _fio_, to become). The process by which the chyle is separated from the chyme. CHYME (Gr. _chumòs_, juice). The semi-fluid matter which passes from the stomach into the duodenum. CHYMIFICATION (L. _fio_, to become). The process by which the aliment is converted into chyme. CLAVICULA (dim. of _clavis_, a key). The clavicle, or collar-bone; so called from its resemblance to an ancient key. COCCYX (Gr. _kókkux_, a cuckoo). The lower end of the spine; so called from its resemblance to a cuckoo’s beak. COLON (Gr. _kolīn_, quasi, _koīlon_, hollow). The first of the large intestines, commencing at the cœcum, and terminating at the rectum. COMA (Gr. _kōma_, drowsiness, from _kéō_, to lie). Drowsiness; lethargic sleep; dead sleep; torpor. COMMISSURE (L. _commissura_). To joint or sever the place where two bodies or parts of a body meet and unite. CONDYLE (Gr. _kóndulos_, a knuckle). A rounded eminence in the joints of several bones, as the humerus and the femur. CONGESTION (L. _congero_, to amass). Undue fullness of the blood-vessels. CONJUNCTIVA (L. _conjungo_, to unite). The mucous membrane which lines the posterior surface of the eyelids, and is continued over the fore-part of the globe of the eye. CORIUM. Leather. The deep layer of cutis, or true skin, forming the basis of the support of the skin. CORPUSCULUM (L. dim. of _corpus_, a body). A corpuscle, or little body. CRANIUM (Gr. _kára_, the head). The skull, or cavity, which contains the brain, its membranes and vessels. CRICOS (Gr. _krikíos_, a ring). Whence crícoïd, the name of the ring-like cartilage of the larynx. CRYSTALLINE (Gr. _krústallos_, ice). A term applied to the lens of the eye. CUTICLE (L. dim. of _cutis_). The epidermis or scarf-skin. CUTIS (Gr. _kútos_, the skin). The true skin, as distinguished from the cuticle, epidermis or scarf-skin. D DEGLUTITION (L. _deglutio_, to swallow). The act of swallowing. DIAPHRAGM (Gr. _diàphragma_, a partition). The midriff; the transverse muscular partition which separates the thorax from the abdomen. DIGESTION (L. _digero_, from _diversim gero_, to carry into different parts). In _Physiology_, the change of food into _chyme_ by the mouth, stomach and small intestines; and the absorption and distribution of the more nutritious parts, or the _chyle_, through the system. DORSUM (Latin). The back; the round part of the back of a man or beast. Whence _Dorsal_, appertaining to the back, as applied to a region, ligaments, &c.