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Flashcards in Terminology Deck (130)
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1
Q

Abruptio placentae

A

Premature separation of a normally situated placenta

2
Q

Acardiac twin

A

One twin presents without a well-defined cardiac structure and is kept alive through the placental circulation of the viable twin

3
Q

Amenorrhoea

A

Absence of menstrual periods

4
Q

Amniotic fluid embolism

A

The escape of amniotic fluid through the wall of the uterus or placental site into the maternal circulation, triggering life-threatening anaphylactic shock in the mother

5
Q

Amniotomy

A

Artificial rupture of the amniotic sac

6
Q

Anterior obliquity of the uterus

A

Altered uterine axis. The uterus leans forward due to poor maternal abdominal muscles and a pendulous abdomen

7
Q

Anuria

A

Producing no urine

8
Q

Atresia

A

Closure or absence of a usual opening or canal

9
Q

Augmentation of labour

A

Intervention to correct slow progress in labour

10
Q

Bandl’s Ring

A

An exaggerated retraction ring seen as an oblique ridge above the symphysis pubis between the upper and lower uterine segments, which is a sign of obstructed labor

11
Q

Bicornuate uterus

A

A structural abnormality of the uterus

12
Q

Bishops score

A

Rating system to assess suitability of the cervix for induction of labour

13
Q

Burns Marshall

A

A method of breech delivery involving traction to prevent the neck from bending backwards

14
Q

Cardiotocograph

A

Measurement of the fetal heart rate and contractions on a machine that is able to provide a paper print of the information it records

15
Q

Cephalopelvic disproportion

A

Disparity between the size of the woman’s pelvis and the fetal head

16
Q

Cerclage

A

A non-absorbable suture inserted to keep the cervix closed

17
Q

Cervical ectropion

A

Physiological response by cervical cells to hormonal changes in pregnancy. Cells proliferate and cause the cervix to appear eroded

18
Q

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (CIN)

A

Progressive and abnormal growth of cervical cells

19
Q

Cervicitis

A

Inflammation of the cervix

20
Q

Choanal atresia

A

(Bilateral) membranous or bony obstruction of the nares; the baby is blue when sleeping and pink when crying

21
Q

Colposcopy

A

Visualisation of the cervix using a colposcope

22
Q

Couvelaire uterus (uterine apoplexy)

A

Bruising and oedema of uterine tissue seen in placental abruption, when leaking blood is forced between muscle fibres because the margins of the placenta are still attached to the uterus

23
Q

Diastasis symphysis pubis

A

A painful condition in which there is an abnormal relaxation of the ligaments supporting the pubic joint

24
Q

Dichorionic twins

A

Twins who have developed in their own separate chorionic sacs

25
Q

Disseminated intravascular coagulation

A

A condition secondary to a primary complication where there is appropriate blood clotting in the blood vessels, followed by an inability of the blood to clot appropriately when all the clotting factors have been used up

26
Q

Dizygotic

A

Formed from two separate zygotes

27
Q

Doering rule

A

The first fertile day of the cycle is determined by a calculation based upon the earliest previous temperature shift. This is an effective double-check method to identify the onset of the fertile phase

28
Q

Dyspareunia

A

Painful or difficult intercourse experienced by the woman

29
Q

Echogenic bowel

A

Bright appearances of bowel, equivalent to the brightness of bone. Also associated with intra-amniotic bleeding and fetal swallowing of blood stained liquor

30
Q

Echogenic foci in the heart

A

Bright echoes from calcium deposits in the fetal heart, often the left ventricle. These do not affect cardiac function

31
Q

Ectopic pregnancy

A

An abnormally situated pregnancy, most commonly in a Fallopian tube

32
Q

Endocervical

A

Relating to the internal canal of the cervix

33
Q

Epicanthic fold

A

A vertical fold of skin on either side of the nose, which covers lacrimal caruncle. Can be common in Asian babies but may indicate Down syndrome in other ethnic groups

34
Q

Erb’s palsy

A

Paralysis of the arm due to the damage to cervical nerve roots five and six of the brachial plexus

35
Q

Erythema

A

Reddening of the skin

36
Q

Erythropoiesis

A

The process by which erythrocytes (red blood cells) are formed. After the 10th week of gestation, erythropoiesis rises and seems to be involved in red cell production in the bone marrow during the third trimester

37
Q

External cephalic version (ECV)

A

The use of external manipulation on the pregnant woman’s abdomen to convert a breech to a cephalic presentation

38
Q

False-negative rate

A

The proportion of affected pregnancies that would not be identified as high-risk. Tests with a high false-negative rate have low sensitivity.

39
Q

False-positive rate

A

The proportion of unaffected pregnancies with a high-risk classification. Tests with a high false-positive rate have low specificity.

40
Q

Ferguson reflex

A

Surge of oxytocin resulting in increased contractions, due to stimulation of the cervix and the upper portion of the vagina.

41
Q

Fetal reduction

A

The reduction in the number of viable fetuses/embryos in a multiple (usually higher multiple) pregnancy by medical intervention

42
Q

Veto fetal transfusion syndrome (twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS))

A

Condition in which blood from one monozygotic twin fetus transfuses into the other via blood vessels in the placenta

43
Q

Fetus-in-fetu

A

Parts of a fetus may be lodged within another fetus. This can only happen in monozygotic twins.

44
Q

Fetus papyraceous

A

A fetus that dies in the second trimester of the pregnancy and becomes compressed and parchment-like.

45
Q

Fibroid

A

Firm, benign tumour of muscular and fibrous tissue

46
Q

Fraternal twins

A

Dizygotic (non-identical) twins

47
Q

Fundal height

A

The distance between the top part of the uterus (fundus) and the top of the symphysis pubis (the junction between the pubic bones). Measurement of this is undertaken to assess the increasing size of the uterus antenatally and decreasing size postnatally.

48
Q

Haematuria

A

Blood in the urine

49
Q

Haemostasis

A

The arrest of bleeding

50
Q

HELLP syndrome

A

A condition of pregnancy characterised by haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets

51
Q

Herpes gestationis

A

An autoimmune disease precipitated by pregnancy and characterised by an erythematous rash and blisters

52
Q

Homan’s sign

A

Pain is felt in the calf when the foot is pulled upwards. This is indicative of a venous thrombosis and further investigations should be undertaken to confirm or exclude this.

53
Q

Hydatidiform mole

A

A gross malformation of the trophoblast in which the chorionic villi proliferate and become vascular

54
Q

Hypercapnia

A

An abnormal increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood

55
Q

Hyperemesis gravidarum

A

Protracted or excessive vomiting in pregnancy

56
Q

Hypertrophy

A

Overgrowth of tissue

57
Q

Hypovolaemia

A

Reduced circulating blood volume due to external loss of body fluids or to loss of fluid into the tissues.

58
Q

Hypoxia

A

Lack of oxygen

59
Q

Hysteroscope

A

An instrument used to access the uterus via the vagina

60
Q

Intraepithelial

A

Within the epithelium or among epithelial cells

61
Q

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)

A

An idiopathic condition of abnormal liver function

62
Q

LAM

A

A method of contraception based upon an algorithm of lactation, amenorrhoea and a 6 month time period

63
Q

Lanugo

A

Soft downy hair, which covers the fetus in utero and occasionally the neonate. It appears at around 20 weeks gestation and covers the face and most of the body. It disappears by 40 weeks gestation.

64
Q

Lovset manoeuvre

A

A manoeuvre for the delivery of shoulders and extended arms in a breech

65
Q

Macrosomia

A

Large baby

66
Q

Malposition

A

A cephalic presentation other than normal anterior position of the fetal head

67
Q

Malpresentation

A

A presentation other than the vertex

68
Q

Mauriceau-Smellie-Veit

A

A manoeuvre to deliver a breech, which involves jaw flexion and shoulder traction.

69
Q

McRoberts Manoeuvere

A

A manoeuvre to rotate the angle of the symphysis pubis superiorly and release the impaction of the anterior shoulder in shoulder dystocia. The woman brings her knees up to her chest.

70
Q

Neoplasia

A

Growth of new tissue

71
Q

Nuchal fold

A

An increased thickness of fetal skin and fat at the back of the fetal neck. Subcutaneous fluid (nuchal translucency) cannot usually be visualised after 14 weeks.

72
Q

Oligohydramnios

A

Abnormally low amount of amniotic fluid in pregnancy

73
Q

Oliguria

A

The production of an abnormally small amount of urine

74
Q

PaCO2

A

Measures the partial pressure of dissolved carbon dioxide. This dissolved CO2 has moved out of the cell and into the bloodstream. The measure of PaCO2 accurately reflects the alveolar ventilation.

75
Q

PaO2

A

Measures the partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood. It reflects how the lung is functioning but does not measure tissue oxygenation.

76
Q

Paronychia

A

An inflamed swelling of the nail folds; acute Paronychia is usually caused by infection with Staphylococcus aureus

77
Q

Perinatal

A

Surrounding labour and the first 7 days of life

78
Q

Placenta accreta

A

Abnormally adherent placenta into the muscle layer of the uterus

79
Q

Placenta percreta

A

Abnormally adherent placenta through the muscle layer of the uterus

80
Q

Placenta praevia

A

A condition in which some or all of the placenta is attached in the lower segment of the uterus

81
Q

Polyhydramnios

A

An excessive amount of amniotic fluid in pregnancy

82
Q

Porphyria

A

An inherited condition of abnormal red blood cell formation

83
Q

Postpartum

A

After labour

84
Q

Pre-eclampsia

A

A condition peculiar to pregnancy, which is characterised by hypertension, proteinuria and systemic dysfunction

85
Q

Primary postpartum haemorrhage

A

A blood loss in excess of 500ml or any amount which adversely affects the condition of the mother within the first 24 hours of delivery

86
Q

Progestogen

A

Synthetic progesterone used in hormonal contraception

87
Q

Prostaglandins

A

Locally acting chemical compounds derived from fatty acids within cells. They ripen the cervix and cause the uterus to contract

88
Q

Proteinuria

A

Protein in the urine

89
Q

Pruritus

A

Itching

90
Q

Ptyalism

A

Excessive salvation

91
Q

Puerperal fever/pyrexia

A

A rise in temperature in the puerperium. This is poorly defined in the textbooks but is assumed to be based on the definition of pyrexia, which is a rise above the normal body temperature of 37.2 degrees Celsius. Where pyrexia is used as clinical sign of importance, the elevation in temperature is generally taken as being 38 degrees and above

92
Q

Puerperal sepsis

A

Infection of the genital tract following childbirth; still a major cause of maternal death where it is undetected and/or untreated.

93
Q

Puerperium

A

A period after childbirth where the uterus and other organs and structures that have been affected by the pregnancy are returning to their non-gravid state. Usually described as a period of up to 6-8 weeks.

94
Q

Quickening

A

Recognition of fetal movements by the woman in early pregnancy

95
Q

Retraction

A

Process by which the uterine muscle fibres shorten after a contraction. Unique to uterine muscle.

96
Q

Rubin’s manoeuvre

A

A rotational manoeuvre to relieve shoulder dystocia. Pressure is exerted over the fetal back to adduct and rotate the shoulders

97
Q

Secondary postpartum haemorrhage

A

An “excessive” or “prolonged” vaginal blood loss which is usually defined as occurring from 24 hours to 6 weeks after the birth

98
Q

Selective fetocide

A

The medical destruction of an abnormal twin fetus in a continuing pregnancy

99
Q

Sheehan syndrome

A

A condition where sudden or prolonged shock leads to irreversible pituitary necrosis, characterised by amenorrhoea, genital atrophy and premature senility

100
Q

Shoulder dystocia

A

Failure of the shoulders to transverse the pelvis spontaneously after delivery of the head. Incidence is around 0.3% of deliveries

101
Q

Speculum (vaginal)

A

An instrument used to open the vagina

102
Q

Subinvolution

A

The uterine size appears larger than anticipated for days post-partum, and may feel poorly contracted. Uterine tenderness may be present

103
Q

Superfecundation

A

Conception of twins as a result of sexual intercourse with two different partners in the same menstrual cycle

104
Q

Superfetation

A

Conception of twins as a result of two acts of sexual intercourse in different menstrual cycles

105
Q

Symphysiotomy

A

A surgical incision to separate the symphysis pubis and enlarge the pelvis to aid delivery

106
Q

Talipes

A

A complex foot deformity, affecting 1 per 1000 live births and more common in males. The affected foot is held in a fixed flexion and in-turned position. It can be differentiated from positional talipes because the deformity in true talipes cannot be passively corrected

107
Q

Teratogen

A

An agent believed to cause congenital abnormalities eg. Thalidomide

108
Q

Torsion

A

Twisting

109
Q

Trizygotic

A

Formed from three separate zygotes

110
Q

Uniovular

A

Monozygotic

111
Q

Unstable lie

A

After 36 weeks gestation, a lie that varies between longitudinal and oblique or transverse is said to be unstable

112
Q

Uterine involution

A

The physiological process that starts from the end of labour that results in a gradual reduction in the size of the uterus until it returns to its non-pregnant size and location in the pelvis

113
Q

Vanishing twin syndrome

A

The reabsorption of one twin fetus early in pregnancy (usually before 12 weeks)

114
Q

Bradycardia

A

An abnormally low pulse in an adult (less than 50 bpm)

115
Q

Tachycardia

A

An abnormally high pulse in an adult (more than 100 bpm)

116
Q

Vasa praevia

A

A rare occurrence in which umbilical cord vessels pass through the placental membranes and lie across the cervical os

117
Q

Withdrawal bleed

A

Bleeding due to withdrawal of hormones

118
Q

Wood’s manoeuvre

A

A rotational or screw manoeuvre to relieve shoulder dystocia. Pressure is exerted on the fetal chest to rotate and abduct the shoulders

119
Q

Zavanelli manoeuvre

A

Last choice of manoeuvre for shoulder dystocia. The head is returned to its pre-restitution position, then the head is flexed back into the vagina. Delivery is by caesarean section.

120
Q

Zygosity

A

Describing the genetic make-up of children in a multiple birth

121
Q

Atelectasis

A

The collapsing of the lung

122
Q

Sulci

A

Deep grooves in the placenta which divide it into cotyledons (lobes)

123
Q

Cotyledons

A

The lobes of the placenta which are divided by deep grooves (sulci) and contain the chorionic villi

124
Q

Descent (mechanism of labour)

A

Movement of the fetal head into the pelvis.
Usually begins before the onset of labour.
Primigravid women: latter weeks of pregnancy
Multigravid women: usually not until labour begins

125
Q

Flexion (mechanism of labour)

A

Fetal head flexes backwards caused by pressure exerted down the fetal axis
Results in smaller presenting diameters to negotiate the pelvis more easily
The occiput becomes the leading part

126
Q

Internal rotation of the head (mechanisms of labour)

A

Contraction pushes the leading part down onto the pelvic floor
The resistance of this muscular diaphragm brings about rotation
As contraction fades, the pelvic floor rebounds causing the occiput to glide forwards.
Occiput rotates 1/8 of a circle and slips beneath the sub-pubic arch and crowning occurs

127
Q

Extension (mechanisms of labour)

A

Once crowning has occurred, the fetal head extends, pivoting on the sub occipital region around the pubic bone
This releases the sinciput, face and chin which sweep the perineum and are then born by a movement of extension

128
Q

Restitution (mechanisms of labour)

A

The twist in the neck of the fetus which resulted from internal rotation is now corrected by a slight untwisting movement
Rotates 1/8 back in the direction it originally twisted from

129
Q

Internal rotation of the shoulders (mechanisms of labour)

A

Similar to rotation of the head
Rotates to lie in the widest diameter of the pelvic outlet
Anterior shoulder reaches the levator ani muscle first and therefore rotates anterior lay to lie under the symphysis pubis
Occurs in the same direction of restitution
Occiput of the fetal head now lies laterally

130
Q

Lateral flexion (mechanisms of labour)

A

Anterior shoulder slips beneath the sub-pubic arch and the posterior shoulder passes over the perineum.
The remainder of the body is born by lateral flexion as the spine bends sideways through the curved birth canal