Medical Terminology: Exam 3

obstetrics

Branch of medicine that deals with childbirth and the care of the mother before, during, and after birth.

Neonatology

branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the newborn

Gamete

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

fertilization

beginning of pregnancy, when the sperm enters the ovum. Normally occurs in the fallopian tube.

zygote

cell formed by the union of the sperm and the ovum

embryo

unborn offspring (implantation to the end of eighth week, rapid growth)

fetus

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

gestation, pregnancy

development of a new individual from conception to birth

Gestation Period

duration of pregnancy, (38 to 42 weeks, starting from first day of the last menstrual period), which can be divided into trimester

implantation

embedding of the zygote in the uterine lining. (7 days after fertilization)

placenta

temporary organ attached to the uterine wall that forms during pregnancy and provides oxygen and nutrients to the fetus

Afterbirth

placenta detaches from the endometrium after delivery and is commonly referred to as afterbirth

amniotic sac, amnionic sac, fetal membrane, bags of water

membranous bag that surrounds the fetus before delivery

chorion

outermost layer of the amniotic sac (fetal membrane)

amnion

innermost layer of the amniotic sac (fetal membrane)

amniotic fluid, amnionic fluid

fluid within the amniotic sac that surrounds and protects the fetus

umbilicus

naval (belly button); marks the site of attachment of the umbilical cord to the fetus

amni/o, amnion/o

amnion, amniotic fluid

chori/o

chorion

fet/o

fetus, unborn offspring

gravid/o

pregnancy

lact/o

milk

nat/o

birth

omphal/o

umbilicus, navel

par/o, part/o

bear, give birth to, labor, childbirth

puer (child) per (through)/o, puerper/0

childbirth

carcin/o

cancer

cephal/o

head

episi/o, vulv/o

vulva

esophag/o

esophagus

hydr/o

water

hyster/o

uterus

olig/o

scanty, few

pelv/i

pelvis, pelvic cavity

prim/i

first

pseud/o

false

pylor/o

pylorus, pyloric sphincter

son/o, ech/o

sound

terart/o

malformations

trache/o

trachea

ante-

before

dys-

painful, abnormal, difficult, labored

intra-, endo-

within

micro-

small

multi-

many

neo-

new

nulli

none

poly-

many, much

post-

after

pre-

before

-a, -e, -um, -us, -y

no meaning

-al, -ic, -ous, -ar, -ac, -eal, -ary

pertaining to

-amnios

amnion, amniotic fluid

-cele

hernia, protusion

-centesis

surgical puncture to aspirate fluid (with a sterile needle)

-cyesis

pregnancy

-gen

substance that produces or causes

-genic

producing, originating, causing

-graphy

process of recording, radiographic imaging

-itis

inflammation

-logist

one who studies and treats (specialist, physician)

-logy

study of

-malacia

softening

-oma

tumor, swelling

-rrhea

flow, discharge

-rrhexis

rupture

-tocia

labor, birth

-tomy

cut into, incision

-us

no meaning

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 (a woman who believes she is pregnant - this may be a psychological condition or related to underlying pathology, such as a uterine tumor)

abortion (AB)

termination of pregnancy before the embryo or fetus before viability, usually before 20 weeks of gestation. Spontaneous (miscarriage) vs. Induced

abruptio placentae, placental abruption

premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall; can cause antepartum hemorrhage.

eclampsia

severe complication and progression of preeclampsia characterized by convulsion, potentially life-threatening disorder.

ectopic pregnancy

nonviable pregnancy occurring outside the uterus, commonly in the fallopian tubes, life-threatening if left untreated

placenta accreta spectrum (PAS)

growth of the placenta into the uterine wall, resulting in the inability to detach after delivery; types describing the severity of the abnormal attachment include accreta, increta, and percreta. Serious condition that increases the risk of postpartum hemorrhage (severe bleeding after giving birth).

placenta previa

abnormally low implantation of the placenta on the uterine wall completely or partially covering the cervix. Dilation of the cervix can cause separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, resulting in bleeding. With severe hemorrhage, a cesarean section is necessary to save the mother and baby's life.

preeclampsia

abnormal condition encountered during pregnancy or shortly after delivery characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria, but with no convulsions. The cause is unknown; if not successfully treated, the condition can progress to eclampsia.

Laryngomalacia

softening of the larynx (causes inhalation stridor in infants)

microcephalus

(fetus with a very) small head

omphalitis

inflammation of the umbilicus

omphalocele

herniation at the umbilicus (a part of the intestine protrudes through the abdominal wall at birth)

pyloric stenosis

narrowing of the pyloric sphincter (Congenital pyloric stenosis occurs in 1 of every 200 newborns.)

tracheoesophageal fistula

abnormal passageway pertaining to the trachea and esophagus

cleft lip or plate

congenital split of the lip or roof of the mouth, one or both deformities may be present (cleft indicates a fissure)

coarctation of the aorta

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

congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infe

congenital heart disease

heart abnormality present at birth

down syndrome

genetic condition caused by a chromosomal abnormality characterized by varying degrees of intellectual, developmental, and physical disorders or defects (there is an extra 21st chromosome; hence, it is also called trisomy 21)

erythroblastosis fetalis

condition of the fetus and newborn characterized by destruction of erythrocytes, usually caused by incompatibility of maternal and fetal blood Rh factors; may result in anemia, limiting the blood‘s ability to carry enough oxygen to tissues. (also called hemolytic disease of the newborn)

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 during pregnancy. Various birth defects may be present, including central nervous system dysfunction and malformations of the skull and face.

gastroschisis

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

respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

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. (formerly called hyaline membrane disease)