Exploring Medical Language:chap 9 Obstetrics And Neonatology Word Terms

Front 1

gamete

Back 1

Mature germ cell, either sperm or ovum.

Front 2

ovulation

Back 2

Expulsion of a mature ovum from an ovary.

Front 3

conception, or fertilization

Back 3

Beginning of pregnancy, when the sperm enters the ovum. Fertilization normally occurs in the fallopian tubes.

Front 4

zygote

Back 4

Cell formed by the union of the sperm and the ovum.

Front 5

embryo

Back 5

Unborn offspring in the stage of development from implantation of the zygote to the end of the second month of pregnancy. This period is characterized by rapid growth of the embryo.
0-2 months

Front 6

fetus

Back 6

Unborn offspring from the beginning of the third month of pregnancy until birth.

Front 7

gestation

Back 7

Development of a new individual from conception to birth, another term for pregnancy.

Front 8

gestation period

Back 8

duration of pregnancy

Front 9

nidation

Back 9

Embedding of the zygote in the uterine lining. The process normally begins about 7 days after fertilization and continues for several days. Another term for implantation.

Front 10

placenta, or afterbirth

Back 10

A structure that grows on the wall of the uterus during pregnancy and allows for nourishment of the unborn child.

Front 11

amniotic, or amnionic, sac

Back 11

Membranous bag that surrounds the fetus before delivery, also known as bag of water.

Front 12

chorion

Back 12

Outermost layer of the fetal membrane.

Front 13

amnion

Back 13

Inner layer of the fetal membrane.

Front 14

amniotic fluid

Back 14

Fluid within the amniotic sac, which surrounds the fetus.

Front 15

abortion

Back 15

Termination of pregnancy by the expulsion from the uterus of an embryo before fetal viability, usually before 20 weeks of gestation.

Front 16

abruptio placentae

Back 16

Premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall.

Front 17

eclampsia

Back 17

Sever complication and progression of preeclampsia characterized by convulsion and coma. Eclampsia is potentially life-threatening disorder.

Front 18

ectopic pregnancy

Back 18

Pregnancy occurring outside the uterus commonly in the fallopian tubes, also call salpingocyesis.

Front 19

placenta previa

Back 19

Abnormally low implantation of the uterine wall. (Dilation of the cervix can cause separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, resulting in bleeding. With severe hemorrhage, a cesarean section may be necessary to save the mother's life.)

Front 20

preeclampsia

Back 20

Abnormal condition encountered during pregnancy or shortly after delivery characterized by high blood pressure, edema, and proteinuria, but with no convulsions or coma. The cause is unknown; if not successfully treated the condition will progress to eclampsia. Eclampsia is the third most common cause of maternal death in the US after hemorrhage and infection.

Front 21

cleft lip and palate

Back 21

Congenital slit of the lip and roof of the mouth.

Front 22

Down syndrome

Back 22

Congenital condition characterized by varying degrees of mental retardation and multiple defects (formerly called mongolism).

Front 23

erythroblastosis fetalis

Back 23

Condition of the newborn characterized by hemolysis of the erythocytes. The condition is usually caused by incompatibility of the infant's and mother's blood, occurring when the mother's blood is Rh negative and the infant's is Rh positive.

Front 24

esophageal atresia

Back 24

Congenital absence of part of the esophagus. Food cannot pass from the baby's mouth to the stomach.

Front 25

gastroschisis

Back 25

A congenital fissure of the abdominal wall not at the umbilicus. Enterocele, protrusion of the intestine, is usually present.

Front 26

respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

Back 26

A respiratory complication in the newborn, especially in premature infants. In premature infants RDS is caused by normal immaturity of the respiratory system resulting in compromised respiration.

Front 27

spina bifida

Back 27

Congential defect in the vertebral column caused by the failure of the vertebral arch to close. If the meniges protrude through the opening the condition is called meningocele. Protrusion of both the meniges and spinal cord is called meningomyelecele.

Front 28

breech presentation

Back 28

Parturition (act of giving birth) in which the buttocks, feet, or knees emerge first.

Front 29

cesarean section

Back 29

The birth a baby through an incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus.

Front 30

congenital anomaly

Back 30

Abnormality present at birth

Front 31

lochia

Back 31

Vaginal discharge after childbirth.

Front 32

meconium

Back 32

First stool of the newborn.

Front 33

obstetrician

Back 33

Physician who specializes in obstetrics

Front 34

obstetrics (OB)

Back 34

Medical specialty dealing with pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium.

Front 35

parturition

Back 35

Act of giving birth.

Front 36

premature infant

Back 36

Infant born before completing 37 weeks of gestation.

Front 37

puerperium

Back 37

Period from delivery until the reproductive organs return to normal (apx. 6 weeks).