The full form of CGS in the general scientific and metrological context, which can occasionally be relevant in medical contexts, is Centimetre-Gram-Second system.
While the CGS system isn't directly a medical term itself, understanding it is crucial when dealing with certain scientific measurements that might appear in medical research, laboratory settings, or even in understanding the historical context of some medical devices or measurements.
The CGS system is a system of physical units based on three fundamental units:
- Centimetre (cm): The unit of length.
- Gram (g): The unit of mass.
- Second (s): The unit of time.
It's important to note that while CGS was historically significant, the modern scientific standard is the International System of Units (SI), which uses meters, kilograms, and seconds. However, some older research papers, instruments, or even specific areas within fields like physics still occasionally use CGS units, necessitating familiarity with the system. Therefore, a medical researcher might encounter CGS units when reviewing older literature or when working with equipment calibrated in CGS units.
