Page 134 - 86 human physiology part-2

Pregnancy and Birth

Fundus: The top of the womb

Germ layer: Layers of cells within an embryo that form the body organd during development.

Glial Cells (neuroglia; glia): Non-neuronal cells that provide support and nutrition, maintain
homeostasis, form myelin, and participate in signal transmission in the nervous system. In the human
brain, glia are estimated to outnumber neurons by about 10 to 1.

Glial cells provide support and protection for neurons, the other main type of cell in the central
nervous system. They are thus known as the "glue" of the nervous system. The four main functions of
glial cells are to surround neurons and hold them in place, to supply nutrients and oxygen to neurons, to
insulate one neuron from another, and to destroy pathogens and remove dead neurons.

Hemoglobin: (Hb)The oxygen carrying constituent of red blood cells

Induction of labor: (IOL) the procedure for initiating labor artificially

In utero death: (IUD)the death of the unborn fetus after 24 weeks

In vitro fertilization: (IVF) a method of assisted conception in which fertilization occurs outside
the mother's and the embryo is replaced in the womb

Lanugo: fine hair that covers the fetus in the womb

Lochia: blood loss after birth

Mastitis inflammation of the breast most frequently in lactation.

Neonatal: baby less than 28 days old

Nuchal scan: special ultrasound scan that gives an estimate of the risk of Down syndrome

Oocyte: one egg that is released from the ovary at each ovulation

Placenta: The structure by which an unborn child is attached to it's mother's uterine wall and
through which it is nourished.

Postnatal: After birth

Prenatal: Before birth

Quickening: The process that occurs between the seventeenth and twentieth weeks of fetal
development, the fetus's leg bones achieve their final relative proportions. In this process the muscles
contract, causing movement at the fetus's sinovial joints. The joint movement enhances the nutrition of
the articular cartilage and prevents the fusion of connective tissues within the joint. It also promotes
bone hardening. It is this stage, where the fetus's bones become more developed and harder, that the
mother begins to notice fetal movement.

Rudimentary: Basic; minimal; with less than, or only the minimum, necessary

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