Obstetrics Definitions 2 Flashcards
The area of fetal head below the root of the nose and the orbital ridges.
face
During the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle cervical mucus forms a palm-leaf pattern when it dries on a slide.
ferning
The union of sperm and the mature ovum; usually occurs in the outer half of the Fallopian tube
fertilization
The fetus is acidotic when the fetal blood pH is 7.20 or less in labour or at birth, or 7.25 or less if tested at induction of labour or after elective Caesarean section.
fetal acidosis
The use of methods such as ultrasound and cardiotocography to assess the fetal well-being especially of the high-risk fetus.
fetal monitoring
Space at the junction of 3 or more skull bones, covered only by a membrane and skin.
fontanelle
An opening in the interatrial septum which allows oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein to flow from the right to the left side of the heart in the fetus.
foramen ovale
The fold of skin formed by merging of the labia minora and labia majora posteriorly.
fourchette
The sound of blood passing through the umbilical cord, synchronous with the fetal heart beat.
funic souffle
A pelvis in which midpelvic and outlet diameters are narrower than those at the pelvic brim.
funnel (android) pelvis
The functional unit of heredity; large numbers are situated in each of the 46 chromosomes in the cell nucleus.
gene
Excessive accumulation of fluid in the tissues demonstrated by swelling of the legs, hands, and face, is often associated with pre-eclampsia
generalized oedema
The hereditary constitution of genes of an individual.
genotype
Time from the first day of the last normal menstrual period to birth.
gestational age
Para 4 or more, these woman are likely to have powerful and coordinated uterine contractions, hence the risk of uterine rupture if there is cephalopelvic disproportion.
grand multipara
The number of times the mother has been pregnant, irrespective of duration or gestation.
gravida
Enlarged haemorrhoidal veins of the lower bowel. These are common during pregnancy, particularly in labour when the head distends the perineum
haemorrhoids
A common symptom in late pregnancy due to regurgitation of acid from the compressed stomach, more usual when the woman lies down.
heartburn
Bimanual palpation of a soft uterine isthmus between the cervix below and the uterine body above. Used before modern biochemical pregnancy confirmation became available.
hegar sign of pregnancy
A homogeneous eosinophilic membrane lining the alveoli, and respiratory bronchioles; commonly seen in the lungs of infants who die from respiratory distress syndrome
hyaline membrane
A condition in which there is partial or complete conversion of the chorionic villi into grape-like vesicles. The villi are avascular and there is trophoblastic proliferation. The condition may result in malignant trophoblastic disease (choriocarcinoma).
hydatidiform mole
Accumulation of excessive amounts of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles of the brain
hydrocephalus
Gross oedema of fetal subcutaneous tissues together with ascites, pericardial and pleural effusion; usually due to erythroblastosis
hydrops fetalis
An excessive amount of bilirubin in the blood, most commonly due to haemolysis.
hyperbilirubinaemia
Severe intractable vomiting in pregnancy with inadequate hydration and nutritional/electrolyte imbalance.
hyperemesis gravidarum
A systolic blood pressure ≥of 140mmHG and/or a diastolic blood pressure of ≥ 90mmHg. These measurements should be based on two measurements taken using the same arm, several hours apart.
HTN in pregnancy
predates the pregnancy or hypertension diagnosed for the first time before 20 weeks gestation.
chronic/ pre-existing HTN
is diagnosed after 20 weeks gestation.-
gestational HTN
defined as a systolic BP of >160 mmHg or a diastolic BP of >110mmHg.
severe HTN
Multi-systemic disease characterised by hypertension in pregnancy with the addition of significant proteinuria (greater than 300 mg/24 hours in the absence of a urinary tract infection, chronic renal disease or contamination of the urine) after 20 weeks gestation.
pre-eclampsia
The commonest cause of blood coagulation failure in obstetrics. The blood fibrinogen level falls below the normal of 4-6 g/L. Usually secondary to severe placental abruption, severe pre-eclampsia, prolonged retention of a dead fetus, or amniotic fluid embolism.
hypofibrinogenaemia
A malformation of the male penis where the urethra opens on it’s under surface or on the perineum
hypospadias
Incision of the uterus via the abdominal route. This term is generally used for delivery of the fetus via abdominal route prior to viability - after this time the operation is termed a Caesarean section.
hysterectomy
Penetration of the endometrium by the early fertilized ovum (blastocyst) which becomes completely surrounded by decidua occurs 6-8 days after ovulation.
implantation
The uterus is retroverted and with enlargement becomes imprisoned in the pelvis, impacting beneath the sacral promontory leading to urethral obstruction and acute urinary retention.
incarceration of gravid uterus
Fundal dominance is lost, intrauterine tension between contractions is increased, the uterus is tender on palpation, and the woman complains of backache.
uncoordinated uterine action
Death in the first year of life of infants born alive (includes neonatal deaths). The rate is 5-10 per 1,000 births in developed countries
infant mortality
Entrance to the vagina
introitus
Uterus turned inside-out, usually due to pulling on the cord when the uterus is relaxed.
inversion of the uterus
Yellow staining of the baby’s brain due to high blood levels of billirubin causing severe neurological damage (billirubin encephalopathy) or death
kernicterus
The onset of regular uterine activity associated with progressive effacement and dilatation of the cervix and descent of the presenting part through the cervix.
labour
A dilatation of the mammary duct just before it enters the nipple.Leucorrhoea. Colourless (white) non-itchy, non-offensive vaginal discharge.
lactiferous sinus
Relationship of the long axis of fetus to the long axis of the uterus. Usually longitudinal but can be transverse or oblique
lie of the fetus
Usually occurs after 36 weeks and is commoner in nulliparos; the presenting part enters the pelvis and thus reduces the pressure on the diaphragm; the mother notices that it is easier to breathe.
lightening
Lightening is not synonymous with engagement; often 3-4 cm of head remain palpable abdominally.
Brown or black line of pigmentation in the midline of the abdominal wall during pregnancy
linea nigra
The discharge from the uterus during the puerperium; it is initially red (rubra), then yellow (serosa), and finally white (alba).
lochia
Rotation and traction of the fetal trunk during breech birth to facilitate delivery of the arms and shoulders.
lovset manoeuvre
The thin expanded lower portion of the uterus which forms from the isthmus in the last trimester of pregnancy; it provides the usual method of approach to the baby in the operation of Caesarean section
lower uterine segment
Removal of the placenta by means of a hand inside the uterus; it is performed when other methods fail.
manual removal of the placenta
Performed prior to forceps application, as an alternative to forceps rotation when the mechanism of anterior rotation of the head has failed.
manual rotation of occiput
Death occurring during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days of the puerperium, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management.
maternal death
those resulting from conditions or complications or their management that are unique to pregnancy, occurring during the antenatal, intrapartum or postpartum periods.
direct maternal death
those resulting from previously existing disease, or disease that develops during pregnancy not as the result of direct obstetric causes, but which were aggravated by the physiological effects of pregnancy.
indirect maternal death
Deaths from unrelated causes which happen to occur in pregnancy or the puerperium.
coincidental/fortuitous maternal death
Deaths occurring between 42 days and 1 year after abortion, miscarriage or delivery that are the result of Direct or Indirect maternal causes.
late maternal death
