Medical Terms and Definitions
Abortion
- Termination or end of pregnancy.
Alphafetoprotein (AFP)
- Substance produced by unborn baby. Large amounts of AFP are found in the amniotic fluid. Abnormal amounts can be found in the maternal bloodstream if neural tube defects are present in the fetus.
Amino acids
- Substances that act as building blocks in the developing
embryo and fetus.
Amniocentesis
- Removal of amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac.
Fluid is tested for some genetic defects.
Amnion
- Membrane around the fetus. It surrounds the amniotic cavity.
Amniotic fluid
- Liquid surrounding the baby inside the amniotic
sac.
Amniotic Sac
- Sac that surrounds baby. It contains the baby, the
placenta and the amniotic fluid.
Anencephaly
- Defective development of the brain combined with the
absence of the bones normally surrounding the brain.
Anovulatory
- Lack of or cessation of ovulation.
Arrhythmia
- Irregular or missed heartbeat.
Asthma
- Disease marked by recurrent attacks of shortness of breath
and difficulty breathing.
Atonic uterus
- Flaccid; relaxed; lack of tone.
Back labor
- Pain of labor felt in lower back.
Birthing center
- Facility in which a woman labors, delivers and
recovers in the same room
Blastomere
- One of the cells egg divides into after it has been
fertilized.
Braxton-Hicks contractions
- Irregular, painless tightening of uterus
during pregnancy.
Breech presentation
- Buttocks or legs come into the birth canal
ahead of the head.
Cataract, congenital
- Cloudiness of the eye lens
present at birth.
Cesarean section
- Delivery of a baby through an abdominal incision
rather than through the vagina. See our C-Setion Page
Chadwick's sign
- Dark-blue or purple discoloration of the mucosa
of the vagina and cervix during pregnancy.
Chloasma
- Extensive brown patches of irregular shape and size on
the face or other parts of the body.
Choriocarcinoma
- Malignant cancer that grows in the uterus during
pregnancy or at the site of an ectopic pregnancy.
Chorion
- Outermost fetal membrane found around the amnion.
Chorionic villus sampling
- Diagnostic test done early in pregnancy.
A biopsy of tissue is taken from inside the uterus through the cervical
opening to determine abnormalities of pregnancy.
Colostrum
- Thin, yellow fluid, which is the first milk to come from
the breast. Most often seen toward the end of pregnancy.
Conization of the cervix
- Surgical procedure performed on premalignant
and malignant conditions of the cervix. A large biopsy of the cervix is
taken in the shape of a cone.
Conjoined twins
- Twins connected at the body; they may share vital
organs. Also called Siamese twins.
Contraction stress test
- Response of fetus to uterine contractions
to evaluate fetal well-being.
Corpus luteum
- Area in the ovary where the egg is released at ovulation.
A cyst may form in this area after ovulation. Called a corpus luteum cyst.
D&C (dilatation and curettage)
- Surgical procedure
in which the cervix is dilated and the lining of the uterus is scraped.
Diastasis recti
- Separation of abdominal muscles.
Dizygotic twins
- Twins derived from two different eggs. Often called
fraternal twins.
Dysplasia
- Abnormal, precancerous changes in the cells of the cervix.
Ectodermal germ layer
- layer in the developing embryo that gives
rise to developing structures in the fetus. These include skin, teeth and
glands of the mouth, the nervous system and the pituitary gland.
Ectopic pregnancy
- Pregnancy that occurs outside the uterine cavity.
Effacement
- Thinning of cervix.
Embryonic period
- First 10 weeks of gestation.
Endodermal germ layer
- Area of tissue in early development of the
embryo that gives rise to other structures. These include the digestive
tract, respiratory organs, vagina, bladder and urethra. Also called endoderm
or entoderm.
Endometrial cycle
- Regular development of the mucous membrane lining
the inside of the uterus. It begins with the preparation for acceptance
of a pregnancy and ends with the shedding of the lining during a menstrual
period.
Endometrium
- Mucous membrane that lines inside of the uterine wall.
Enema - Fluid injected into the rectum for the purpose of clearing out
the bowel.
Epidural block
- Type of anesthesia. Medication is injected around
the spinal cord during labor or other types of surgery.
Episiotomy
- Surgical incision of the vulva (area behind the vagina,
above the rectum). Used during delivery to avoid tearing or laceration
of the vaginal opening and rectum. See our Episiotomy Section also.
Fallopian tube
- Tube that leads from the cavity
of the uterus to the area of the ovary.
False labor
- Tightening of uterus without dilatation of the cervix.
Fetal anomaly
- Fetal malformation or abnormal development.
Fetal goiter
- Enlargement of the thyroid in the fetus.
Fetal-growth retardation (IUGR)
- Inadequate growth of the fetus
during the last stages of pregnancy.
Fetal period
- Time period following the embryonic period (first
10 weeks of gestation) until birth.
Frank breech
- Baby presenting buttocks first. Legs are flexed and
knees extended.
Fraternal twins
- See Dizygotic twins.
Gestational diabetes
- Occurrence or worsening of
diabetes during pregnancy (gestation).
Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTN)
- Abnormal pregnancy with
cystic growth of the placenta. Characterized by bleeding during early and
middle pregnancy.
Habitual abortion
- Occurrence of three or more spontaneous
miscarriages.
Human chorionic gonadatropin (HCG)
- Hormone produced in early pregnancy.
Human placental lactogen
- Hormone of pregnancy produced by the placenta.
Found in the bloodstream.
Hyaline membrane disease
- Respiratory disease of the newborn.
Hydramnios
- Increased amniotic fluid.
Hydrocephalus
- Excessive accumulation of fluid around the brain
of the baby. Sometimes called water on the brain.
Hyperemesis gravidarum
- Severe nausea, dehydration and vomiting
during pregnancy. Occurs most frequently during the first trimester.
Hypertension
- pregnancy-induced-High blood pressure that occurs
during pregnancy. Defined by an increase in the diastolic and/or systolic
blood pressure.
Identical twins
- See Monozygotic twins.
Immune globulin preparation
- Substance used to protect against infection
with certain diseases, such as hepatitis or measles.
In utero
- Within the uterus.
Incompetent cervix
- Cervix that dilates painlessly, without contractions.
Incomplete abortion
- Miscarriage in which part, but not all, of
the uterine contents are expelled.
Inevitable abortion
- Pregnancy complicated with bleeding and cramping.
Usually results in miscarriage.
Insulin
- Peptide hormone made by the pancreas. It promotes the use
of glucose.
Intrauterine
- growth retardation (IUGR) - See Fetal-growth retardation.
Invasive squamous-cell carcinoma
- Cancer of the cervix that extends
beyond the cervix into surrounding tissues or deeper layers.
Iron-deficiency anemia
- Anemia produced by lack of iron in the diet.
Often seen in pregnancy. See Anemia.
Isoimmunization
- Development of specific antibody directed at the
red blood cells of another individual, such as a baby in utero. Often occurs
when an Ph-negative woman carries an Ph-positive baby or is given Rh-positive
blood.
Jaundice
- Yellow staining of the skin, sclera (eyes)
and deeper tissues of the body. Caused by excessive amounts of bilirubin.
Treated with phototherapy.
Ketones
- Breakdown product of metabolism found in
the blood, particularly in starvation or uncontrolled diabetes.
Kidney stones
- Small mass or lesion found in the kidney or urinary
tract. Can block the flow of urine.
Laaoo
- Process of expelling a fetus from the uterus.
Laparoscopy
- Minor surgical procedure performed for tubal ligation,
diagnosis of pelvic pain or diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.
Leukorrhea
- Vaginal discharge characterized by a white or yellowish
color. Primarily composed of mucus.
Lightening
- Change in the shape of the pregnant uterus a few weeks
before labor. Often described as the baby "dropping."
Linea nigra
- line of increased pigmentation running down the abdomen
from the bellybutton to the pubic area during pregnancy.
Malignant GTN
- Cancerous change of gestational trophoblastic
disease. See Gestational trophoblastic disease.
Mammogram
- X-ray study of the breasts to identify normal and abnormal
breasttissue.
Mask of pregnancy
- Increased pigmentation over the area of the face
under each eye. Commonly has the appearance of a butterfly.
McDonald cerclage
- Surgical procedure performed on an incompetent
cervix. A drawstring-type suture holds the cervical opening closed during
pregnancy. See Incompetent cervix.
Meconium
- First intestinal discharge of the newborn; green or yellow
in color. It consists of epithelial or surface cells, mucus and bile. Discharge
may occur before or during labor or soon after birth.
Melanoma
- Pigmented mole or tumor. It may or may not be cancerous.
Meningomyelocele
- Congenital defect of the central nervous system
of the baby. Membranes and the spinal cord protrude through an opening
or defect in the vertebral column.
Menstrual age
- See Gestational age.
Menstruation
- Regular or Periodic discharge of a bloody fluid from
the uterus.
Mesodermal germ layer
- Tissue of the embryo that forms connective
tissue, muscles, kidneys, ureters and other organs.
Metaplasia
- Change in the structure of a tissue into another type
that is not normal for that tissue.
Microcephaly
- Abnormally small development of the head in the developing
fetus.
Microphthalmia
- Abnormally small eyeballs.
Miscarriage
- See Abortion.
Missed abortion
- Failed pregnancy without bleeding or cramping.
Often diagnosed by ultrasound weeks or months after a pregnancy fails.
Mittelschmerz
- Pain that coincides with release of an egg from the
ovary.
Molar pregnancy
- See Cestational trophoblastic disease.
Monilial vulvovaginitis
- Infection caused by yeast or monilia. Usually
affects the vagina and vulva.
Monozygotic twins
- Twins conceived from one egg. Often called identical
twins.
Morning sickness
- Nausea and vomiting, with ill health, found primarily
during the first trimester of pregnancy. See Hyperemesis gravidarum.
Moruaa
- Cells resulting from the early division of the fertilized
egg at the beginning of pregnancy.
Mucus plug
- Secretions in cervix; often released just before labor.
Mutations
- Change in the character of a gene. Passed from one cell
division to another.
Neural-tube defects
- Abnormalities in the development
of the spinal cord and brain in a fetus. See Anencephaly; Hydrocephalus;
Spina bifida.
Nurse-midwife
- Nurse who has received extra training in the care
of pregnant patients and the delivery of babies.
Obstetrician
- Physician who specializes in the care
of pregnant women and the delivery of babies.
Oligohydramnios
- Lack or deficiency of amniotic fluid.
Omphalocele
- Presence of congenital outpouching of the umbilicus
containing internal organs in the fetus or newborn infant.
Organogenesis
- Development of the organ systems in the embryo.
Ossification
- Bone formation.
Ovarian cycle
- Regular production of hormones from the ovary in
response to hormonal messages from the brain. The ovarian cycle governs
the endometrial cycle.
Ovulation
- Cyclic production of an egg from the ovary.
Ovulatory age
- See Fertilization age.
Oxytocin
- Medication that causes uterine contractions.
Palmer erythema
- Redness of palms of the hands.
Pap smear
- A Routine screening test that evaluates presence of premalignant
or cancerous conditions of the cervix.
Paracenrical block
- local anesthetic for cervical dilatation.
Pediatrician
- Physician who specializes in the care of babies and
children.
Pelvimetry
- Evaluation of the size of the birth canal or pelvis.
Performed by X-ray.
Perinatologist
- Physician who specializes in the care of high-risk
pregnancies.
Peritoneum
- Membrane enclosing the abdominal organs.
Petit mal seizure
- Attack of a brief nature with possible short
impairment of consciousness. Often associated with blinking or flickering
of the eyelids and a mild twitching of the mouth.
Phosphatidyl glycerol
- lipoprotein present when fetal lungs are
mature.
Phospholipids
- Fat-containing phosphorous. The most important are
lecithins and sphingomyelin, which are important in the maturation of fetal
lungs before birth.
Phototherapy
- Treatment for jaundice in a newborn infant. See Jaundice.
Physiologic anemia of pregnancy
- Anemia during pregnancy caused
by an increase in the amount of plasma (fluid) in the blood compared to
the number of cells in the blood. See Anemia.
Placenta
- Organ inside the uterus that is attached to the baby by
the umbilical cord. Essential during pregnancy for growth and development
of the embryo and fetus. Also called afterbirth.
Placenta accreta
- Placenta that attaches to muscle of uterus.
Placenta increta
- Placenta that grows into muscle of uterus.
Placenta percreta
- Placenta that penetrates muscle of uterus.
Placenta previa
- low attachment of the placenta, covering or very
close to the cervix.
Placental abruption
- Premature separation of the placenta from the
uterus.
Placentamegaly
- Abnormally large growth of the placenta during pregnancy.
Pneumonitis
- Inflammation of the lungs.
Polyhydramnios
- See Hydramnios.
Post-mature baby
- Pregnancy of 42+ weeks gestation
Post-mature baby
- Pregnancy of 42+ weeks gestation.
Postpartum blues
- Mild depression after delivery.
Postpartum depression
- Depression after delivery.
Postpartum hemorrhage
- Bleeding greater than 15 ounces (450ml) at
time of delivery. Pre-eclampsia-Combination of symptoms significant to
pregnancy, including high blood pressure, edema, swelling and changes in
reflexes.
Pregnancy diabetes
- See Gestational diabetes.
Premature delivery
- Delivery before 38 weeks gestation. Presentation-Describes
which part of the baby comes into the birth canal first.
Propylthiouracil
- Medication used to treat thyroid disease.
Proteinuria
- Protein in urine.
Pruritis gravidarum
- Itching during pregnancy.
Pubic symphysis
- Bony prominence in the pelvic bone found in the
midline. Landmark from which the doctor often measures during pregnancy
to follow growth of the uterus.
Pudendal block
- local anesthesia during labor.
Pulmonary embolism
- Blood clot from another part of the body that
travels to the lungs. Can cause closed passages in the lungs and decrease
oxygen exchange.
Pyelonephritis
- Serious kidney infection.
Quickening
- Feeling the baby move inside the uterus.
Rh-negative
- Absence of rhesus antibody in the blood.
RhoGAM
- Medication given during pregnancy and following delivery
to pre- vent isoimmunization. See Isoimmunization.
Rh-sensitivity
- See Isoimmunization.
Round-ligament pain
- Pain caused by stretching ligament on the sides
of the uterus during pregnancy.
Rupture of membranes
- loss of fluid from the amniotic sac. Also
called breaking of waters.
Seizure
- Sudden onset of a convulsion.
Sickle-cell anemia
- Anemia caused by abnormal red blood cells shaped
like a sickle or a cylinder.
Sickle-cell trait
- Presence of the trait for sickle-cell anemia.
Not sickle-cell disease itself.
Sickle crisis
- Painful episode caused by sickle-cell disease.
Skin tag
- Flap or extra buildup of skin.
Sodium
- Element found in many foods, particularly salt. Ingestion
of too much sodium may cause fluid retention.
Spina bifida
- Congenital abnormality characterized by a defect in
the vertebral column. Membranes of the spinal cord and the spinal cord
protrude outside the protective bony canal of the spine.
Spinal anesthesia
- Anesthesia given in the spinal canal.
Spontaneous abortion
- loss of pregnancy during the first 20 weeks
of gestation. See Abortion.
Stasis
- Decreased flow.
Station
- Estimation of the descent of the baby. Ranges from -4 to
+4. 0 = directly at pelvis.
Steroids
- Group of medications of hormone origin. Often used to
treat various diseases. Includes estrogen, testosterone, progesterone,
prednisone.
Stigma
- Area on the ovary where the egg has been released at the
time of ovulation.
Stretch marks
- Areas of the skin that are tom or stretched. Often
found on the abdomen, breasts, buttocks and legs.
Striae distensa
- See Stretch marks.
Sulci
- Groove or furrow on the surface of the brain.
Surfactant
- Phospholipid present in the lungs. Controls surface
tension of lungs. Premature babies often lack sufficient amounts of surfactant
to breathe without assistance.
Syphilis
- Sexually transmitted venereal infection caused by treponema
pallidum.
Systemic lupus erythermatosus (SLE)
- Connective-tissue disorder
common in women in the reproductive ages. Antibodies made by the person
act against his or her own tissues.
Tay-Sachs disease
- Inherited disease characterized
by mental and physical retardation, convulsions, enlargement of the head
and eventually death. Trait is usually carried by Ashkenazi Jews.
Telangiectasias
- Dilatation or swelling of a small blood vessel.
Sometimes called an angioma. During pregnancy, another common name is a
spider angioma.
Teratogenic
- Causes abnormal development.
Teratology
- Branch of science that deals with teratogens.
Thalassemia
- Group of inherited disorders of hemoglobin metabolism,
which results in a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin formed. Found most
commonly in people of Mediterranean descent.
Threatened abortion
- Bleeding during the first trimester of pregnancy
without cramping or contractions.
Thrombosis
- Formation of a blood clot (thrombus).
Thrush
- Monilial or yeast infection occurring in the mouth or mucous
membranes of a newborn infant.
Thyroid disease
- Abnormality of the thyroid gland and its production
of thyroid hormone. See Hyperthyroidism; Hypothyroidism.
Thyroid hormone
- Chemical made in the thyroid that affects the entire
body.
Thyroid panel
- Series of blood tests done to evaluate the function
of the thyroid gland.
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Hormone made in the brain that
stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroid hormone.
Tocolysis
- Stopping contractions during premature labor.
Tocolytic agents
- Medications to stop labor. See Beta-adrenergics.
Toxemia
- See Pre-eclampsia.
Toxoid
- Poison.
Toxoplasmosis
- Infection caused by toxoplasma gondii.
Transverse lie
- Fetus is turned sideways in uterus.
Trichomonal vaginitis
- Venereal infection caused by trichomonas.
Trimester
- Method of dividing pregnancy into three equal time periods
of about 13 weeks each.
Trophoblast
- Cell layer important in early development of the embryo
and fetus. It provides nourishment from the mother to the fetus and participates
in the formation of the placenta.
Umbilical cord
- Cord that connects the placenta
to the developing baby. It removes waste products and carbon dioxide from
the baby and brings oxygenated blood and nutrients from the mother through
the placenta to the baby.
Umbilicus
- Bellybutton.
Ureters
- Tubes from the kidneys to the bladder that drain urine.
Urinary calculi
- See Kidney stones.
Uterine atony
- lack of tone of uterus.
Uterus
- Organ an embryo/fetus grows in. Also called a womb.
Vaccine
- Mild infection given to cause production
of antibodies to protect against subsequent infections.
Vacuum extractor
- Device used to provide traction on fetal head
during delivery.
Varicose veins
- Blood vessels (veins) that are dilated or enlarged.
Vascular spiders
- See Telangiectasias.
Vena cava
- Major vein in the body that empties into the right atrium
of the heart. It returns unoxygenated blood to the heart for transport
to the lungs.
Venereal warts
- See Condyloma acuminatum.
Vernix
- Fatty substance made up of epithelial cells that covers
fetal skin inside the uterus.
Vertex
- Head first.
Villi
- Projection from a mucous membrane. Most important within
the placenta in the exchange of nutrients from maternal blood to the placenta
and fetus.
Womb
- See Uterus.
Yeast infection
- See Monilial vulvovaginitis; Thrush.
Zygote
- Cell that results from the union of a sperm
and egg at fertilization.
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