Question | Answer |
Abortion | loss of embryo or fetus |
Amniocentesis | removal of a small amount of amniotic fluid from around the fetus for examination and diagnosis |
Amnion | inner membrane surrounding embryo |
Amniotic fluid | fluid surrounding fetus in the uterus |
Auscultation | listening for sounds, perhaps with stethoscope, within the body (lungs, heart, intestines) |
Bilirubin | product from the breakdown of hemoglobin, excreted in bile |
Caries | dental destruction of the tooth surface; a cavity or erosion in the enamel surface of a tooth |
Cervical os | passage between the uterus and the cervix |
Chorionic villi | part of the placenta that can be tested for genetic defects in the fetus |
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) | tests part of the placenta for genetic defects in a fetus |
Differentiation | increased specialized of cells for certain functions |
Embolus | mass i.e. blood clot, air, fat, tumor cells, that breaks away into circulation and obstructs a blood vessel |
Embryo | early stage of an organism’s life; in humans, developmental stage between implantation in the uterus and 8 weeks |
Fetus | human child in utero between 8 weeks and birth |
Gestation | time between conception and birth |
Gestational age | two weeks longer than the actual age fo the child from the time of fertilization |
Gingivitis | inflammation of the gums in the mouth |
Gravidity | refers to the number of pregnancies |
Hemolysis | destruction of erythrocytes with release of hemoglobin |
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) | hormone secreted by chorionic villi after implantation of fertilized ovum ; detection by office or home test for pregnancy |
Hypertension | persistent elevation of blood pressure |
Hypotension | low blood pressure and decreased tissue perfusion |
Immunoglobulin | protein with antibody activity |
Inner cell mass | mass of cells inside the primordial embryo that will eventually give rise to the definitive structures of the fetus |
Jaundice | yellow color of the sclera of the eye and skin due to excessive bilirubin in the body fluids for any reason |
Lactation | production of milk |
Lordosis | increased lumbar curvature |
Organogenesis | formation and differentiation of organs and systems during embryonic development |
Ovum | female haploid reproductive cell/gamete |
Parity | number of pregnancies in which the fetus has reached viability (about 22 weeks of gestation) |
Peritonitis | infection of the peritoneal cavity |
Placenta | embryonic membrane; connects developing fetus to uterine wall, allows nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother’s blood |
Sperm | male haploid reproductive cell/gamete |
Supine | lying down on back |
Teratogen | substance/condition that impairs normal development of the embryo or fetus in utero, causing a congenital abnormality |
Thrombus | blood clot attached inside a blood vessel |
Trimesters | pregnancy periods; three months each |
Trophoblast | outer cell mass form around embryo |
Viable | ability to sustain life |
Zygote | cell produced by the union of two gametes |
Rh incompatibility | Rh negative mother exposed to Rh positive blood via transfusion/pregnancy with Rh positive fetus; mother has immune response resulting in possible hemolytic disease in subsequent Rh-positive pregnancies |
RhoGAM | Rh immunoglobin containing anti-Rh antibodies; confers temporary passive immunity when given to Rh negative woman who has not been previously sensitized. |