CH9 Medical Terminology

Placenta

Structure that grows on the uterine wall during pregnancy and provides nourishment to the fetus

Amnion

Innermost layer of the fetal membrane

Amniotic sac

Membranous bag surrounding the fetus before delivery

Amniotic fluid

Fluid inside the amniotic sac that surrounds the fetus

Chorion

Outermost layer of the fetal membrane

Umbilicus

Navel or belly button where the umbilical cord attaches to the fetus

Amni/o

Combining form meaning amnion or amniotic fluid

Amnion/o

Combining form meaning amnion or amniotic fluid

Chori/o

Combining form meaning chorion

Cephal/o

Combining form meaning head

Terat/o

Combining form meaning malformation

Fet/o

Combining form meaning fetus or unborn offspring

Prim/i

Combining form meaning first

Lact/o

Combining form meaning milk

Episi/o

Combining form meaning vulva

Omphal/o

Combining form meaning umbilicus or navel

Pseud/o

Combining form meaning false

Gravid/o

Combining form meaning pregnancy

Par/o

Combining form meaning birth or giving birth

Pylor/o

Combining form meaning pylorus or pyloric sphincter

Ante (prefix)

Before

Pre (prefix)

Before

Post (prefix)

After

Neo (prefix)

New

Micro (prefix)

Small

Multi (prefix)

Many

Nulli (prefix)

None

Tocia (suffix)

Labor or childbirth

Rrhexis (suffix)

Rupture

Amnios (suffix)

Amnion or amniotic fluid

Cyesis (suffix)

Pregnancy

Amnionitis

Inflammation of the amnion

Chorioamnionitis

Inflammation of the chorion and amnion

Polyhydramnios

Excessive amniotic fluid

Oligohydramnios

Insufficient amniotic fluid

Dystocia

Difficult or abnormal labor

Pseudocyesis

False pregnancy

Hysterorrhexis

Rupture of the uterus

Abruptio placentae

Premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall before delivery

Placenta previa

Abnormally low implantation of the placenta that covers the cervix

Preeclampsia

Pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure and proteinuria without convulsions

Eclampsia

Severe progression of preeclampsia involving convulsions and potentially life threatening complications

Ectopic pregnancy

Pregnancy in which the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus

Abortion (AB)

Termination of pregnancy before fetal viability, usually before 20 weeks of gestation

Spontaneous abortion

Natural termination of pregnancy, commonly called miscarriage

Induced abortion

Intentional termination of pregnancy through medical or surgical intervention

Microcephalus

Abnormally small head

Pyloric stenosis

Narrowing of the pyloric sphincter

Congenital heart disease

Heart disease present at birth

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection

Viral infection that crosses the placenta and may cause jaundice, microcephaly, and developmental delay

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)

Condition associated with prenatal alcohol exposure that affects development

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

Respiratory complication in newborns, especially premature infants

Hemolytic disease of the newborn

Condition involving destruction of red blood cells, usually caused by blood type incompatibility between an Rh negative mother and an Rh positive infant

Down syndrome

Genetic condition caused by a chromosomal abnormality that affects development and may cause intellectual, developmental, and physical differences

Coarctation of the aorta

Congenital narrowing of the aorta

Omphalocele

Hernia at the umbilicus in which abdominal contents protrude through the abdominal wall

Gastroschisis

Congenital opening in the abdominal wall that is not at the umbilicus

Enterocele

Protrusion of the intestine

Esophageal atresia

Congenital absence of part of the esophagus, preventing food from passing from the mouth to the stomach

Tracheoesophageal fistula

Abnormal passageway between the trachea and esophagus

Spina bifida

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

Cervical cerclage

Suturing the cervix to prevent dilation and premature delivery

C section

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

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

Fertilization of human ova outside the body followed by placement of the resulting zygote into the uterus

Episiotomy

Incision into the vulva, sometimes performed during delivery to prevent a traumatic tear

Amniotomy

Incision into the amnion to rupture the fetal membranes and induce labor

Amniocentesis

Surgical puncture to obtain amniotic fluid for assessment of fetal health, maturity, and abnormalities

Pelvic sonography

Ultrasound examination used to evaluate the pelvis, fetus, and pregnancy

Nulligravida

Person who has never been pregnant

Primigravida

Person experiencing a first pregnancy

Multigravida

Person who has been pregnant multiple times

Nullipara

Person who has never given birth

Primipara

Person giving birth for the first time

Multipara

Person who has given birth multiple times

APGAR

System for rapid newborn assessment at one minute and five minutes after birth

Quad screen

Second trimester blood test measuring four substances to assess the risk of certain fetal disorders

Amniorrhea

Discharge of amniotic fluid

Lactorrhea

Spontaneous discharge of milk

Amniorrhexis

Rupture of the amnion

Lactation

Secretion of milk

Colostrum

Thin, milky fluid secreted by the breast during pregnancy and the first days after birth before regular lactation begins

In vitro

Outside the body or in a laboratory setting

In vivo

Within a living body

Antepartum

Period before childbirth, referring to the mother

Intrapartum

Period during labor and childbirth

Postpartum

Period after childbirth, referring to the mother

Midwife

Individual who practices midwifery

Obstetrics

Medical specialty dealing with pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium

Lochia

Vaginal discharge after childbirth

Breech presentation

Birth position in which the buttocks, feet, or knees emerge first

Cephalic presentation

Birth position in which the head emerges first and the most common presentation

Quickening

First fetal movement felt by the pregnant woman, usually between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation

Neonate

Newborn during the first four weeks after birth

Meconium

First stool of a newborn

Neonatology

Study of the newborn

Congenital anomaly

Abnormality present at birth that may be detected before birth by sonography or amniocentesis

Prenatal

Before birth, referring to the developing baby

Premature infant

Infant born before completing 37 weeks of gestation

Postnatal

After birth, referring to the newborn

Teratogen

Agent that produces malformations in a developing embryo