Medical Terminology Chapter 9: Obstetrics and Neonatology

gamete

mature germ cell, either sperm (male) or ovum (female)

conception

beginning of pregnancy, when the sperm enters the ovum

zygote

cell formed by the union of the sperm and the ovum

embryo

unborn offspring in the stage of development from implantation of the zygote to the end of the eighth week of pregnancy. This period is characterized by rapid growth of the embryo

fetus

unborn offspring from the beginning of the ninth week of pregnancy until birth

gestation

development of a new individual from conception to birth

gestation period

duration of pregnancy; normally 38 to 42 weeks, which can be divided into three equal periods, called trimesters

implantation

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

placenta

structure that grows on the wall of the uterus during pregnancy and allows for nourishment of the fetus

amniotic sac

membranous bag that surrounds the fetus before delivery

chorion

outermost layer of the fetal membrane

amnion

innermost layer of the fetal membrane

amniotic fluid

fluid within the amniotic sac, which surrounds the fetus

umbilicus

navel; marks the site of attachment of the umbilical cord to the fetus

amni/o

amnion, amniotic fluid

amnion/o

amnion, amniotic fluid

chori/o

chorion

fet/i, fet/o

fetus, unborn offspring

gravid/o

pregnancy

lact/o

milk

nat/o

birth (also called para)

omphal/o

umbilicus, navel

par/o

bear, give birth to, labor, childbirth

part/o

bear, give birth to, labor, childbirth (also called par/o)

puerper/o

childbirth

carcin/o

cancer

cephal/o

head

episi/o

vulva

esophag/o

esophagus

hydr/o

water

hyster/o

uterus

olig/o

scanty, few

pelv/i

pelvis, pelvic cavity

pseud/o

false

prim/i

first

pylor/o

pylorus, pyloric sphincter

son/o

sound

terat/o

malformations

trache/o

trachea

ante-

before

dys-

painful, difficult, abnormal

intra-

within

micro-

small

multi-

many

neo-

new

nulli-

none

poly-

many, much

post-

after

pre-

before

-amnios

amnion, amniotic fluid

-cele

hernia, protrusion

-centesis

surgical puncture to remove fluid

-cyesis

pregnancy

-gen

substance that produces

-genic

producing

-graphy

process of recording, radiographic imaging

-itis

inflammation

-oma

tumor, swelling

-rrhea

flow, discharge

-rrhexis

rupture

-stenosis

constriction or narrowing

-tocia

labor, birth

-tomy

cut into, incision

amnionitis

inflammation of the amnion

chorioamnionitis

inflammation of the chorion and amnion

choriocarcinoma

cancerous tumor of the chorion

dystocia

difficult labor

hysterorrhexis

rupture of the uterus

oligohydramnios

scanty amnion water

polyhydramnios

much amnion water

pseudocyesis

false pregnancy

abortion

termination of pregnancy by the expulsion from the uterus of an embryo or fetus before viability

abruptio placentae

premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall

eclampsia

severe complication and progression of preeclampsia characterized by convulsion

ectopic pregnancy

pregnancy occurring outside the uterus, commonly in the uterine tubes

placenta previa

abnormally low implantation of the placenta on the uterine wall completely or partially covering the cervix

preeclampsia

abnormal condition encountered during pregnancy or shortly after delivery characterized by high blood pressure, edema, and proteinuria, but with no convulsions

microcephalus

(fetus with a very) small head

omphalitis

inflammation of the umbilicus

omphalocele

herniation at the umbilicus

pyloric stenosis

narrowing pertaining to the pyloric sphincter

tracheosophageal fistula

abnormal passageway pertaining to the trachea and esophagus

cleft lip or palate

congenital split of the lip or roof of the mouth, one or both deformities may be present

coarctation of the aorta

congenital stenosis (narrowing) which occurs in the arch of the aorta

congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection

herpes type virus that crosses the placenta. Symptoms in newborns may include jaundice, microcephaly, developmental delay, and hearing loss, some infants may have no symptoms

congenital heart disease

heart abnormality present at birth

down syndrome

genetic condition caused by a chromosomal abnormality characterized by varying degrees of intelligence, developmental, and physical disorders or defects

erythroblastosis fetalis

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

esophageal atresia

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

fetal alcohol syndrome

condition caused by excessive alcohol consumption by the mother during pregnancy; various birth defects may be present including CNS dysfunction and malformations of the skull and face

gastroschisis

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

(hole near belly button)

respiratory distress syndrome

respiratory complication in the newborn, especially in premature infants

spina bifida

congenital defect in the vertebral column caused by the failure of the vertebral arch to close

amniotomy

incision into the amnion (rupture of the fetal membrane to induce labor; a special hook is generally used to make the incision)

episiotomy

incision into the vulva (perineum) (sometimes performed during delivery to prevent a traumatic tear of the vulva) (also called perineotomy)

cervical cerclage

suturing the cervix closed to prevent dilation and premature delivery

cesarean section (C-section)

birth of a fetus through an incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus

in vitro fertilization (IVF)

a method of fertilizing human ova outside the body and placing the zygote into the uterus; used when infertility is present

amniocentesis

surgical puncture to aspirate amniotic fluid

pelvic sonography

pertaining to the pelvis, process of recording sound