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| This glossary contains: 19186 medical terms |
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Cervical cap
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Cervical cap A birth control device (similar to a diaphragm, but smaller) that fits over a woman's cervix and keeps sperm from entering. Must be fitted by a physician or nurse and checked yearly for proper fit.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Diaphragm
The muscle wall between the chest and the abdomen. It is the major muscle that the body uses for breathing.
Cervix
The neck or neck-like part of an organ; specifically the neck of the lower part of the uterus, or womb, where the vagina and uterus unite.
Sperm
A sperm cell, or spermatozoon (pl. spermatozoa) (in Greek: sperm = semen and zoon = alive), is the haploid cell that is the male gamete. It is carried in fluid called semen, and is capable of fertilising an egg cell to form a zygote. A zygote can grow into a new organism, such as a human. Sperm cells contain half of the genetic information needed to create life. Generally, the sex of the offspring is determined by the sperm, through the chromosomal pair "XX" (for a female) or "XY" (for a male).
Physician
A doctor. An authorized practitioner of medicine.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Cervical
Having to do with the neck (cervical spine) or the cervix of the uterus.
Cervical cancer
Cancer of the uterine cervix, happens when normal cells in the cervix change into cancer cells. This change normally takes several years to happen, but it can also happen in a very short amount of time. Before the cells turn into cancer, abnormal cells develop on the cervix that can be found by a Pap test. Women generally don't have symptoms of cervical cancer. But when cervical cancer is not found early and spreads deeper into your cervix or to other tissues or organs, you might have pain during sex; bleeding from your vagina after sex, between periods, or after menopause; heavy vaginal discharge.
Cervical cerclage
The surgical placement of a purse-string suture around an incompetent cervix, one that is abnormally liable to dilate, in order to prevent premature onset of labor and a miscarriage. The suture material must be removed prior to delivery.
Cervical disc
A disk shaped piece of specialized tissue that separates the vertebral bones of the spinal column in the neck.
Cervical dysplasia
Condition in which cells in the cervix have undergone precancerous changes. It is detected by a Pap smear; treatment can prevent it from progressing to cervical cancer.
Cervical dystocia
Difficult labor and delivery caused by mechanical obstruction at the cervix.
Cervical incompetence
A condition in which the cervix, under pressure from the growing uterus, opens before a pregnancy has reached term. Can cause miscarriage in the second trimester or preterm labor in the third, but can be treated by surgical reinforcement of the cervical muscle (called cerclage).
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
A general term for the growth of abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. Numbers from 1 to 3 may be used to describe how much of the cervix contains abnormal cells. Also called CIN.
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)
Term used to classify the degree of precancerous change in cells of the cervix in a condition called cervical dysplasia.
Cervical mucus
Vaginal discharge that changes in consistency throughout a woman's monthly cycle, resembling raw egg white around ovulation. Many women check the consistency of their cervical mucus along with their basal body temperature to chart fertility.
Cervical mucus method
A natural birth control method accomplished by timing intercourse according to the consistency of the woman's cervical mucus. Mucus similar to raw egg white signifies ovulation, when a woman is most fertile, while thick and cloudy mucus indicates a time when conception is less likely.
Cervical rib
A supernumerary (extra) rib which arises from the seventh cervical vertebra. It is located above the normal first rib. A cervical rib is present in only about 1 in 200 (0.5%) of people. It may cause nerve and artery problems.
Cervical spondylosis
Degenerative process in the spine in the neck. A combination of disc deterioration and osteoarthritis.
Cervical vertebra, first
The first cervical (neck) vertebra is called the atlas. It supports the head.
Cervical vertebra, second
The second cervical vertebra is called the axis. It is so-named because the uppermost cervical vertebra (called the atlas) rotates about the odontoid process of the second cervical vertebra. The joint between the axis and atlas is a pivot type of joint. It allows the head turn.
Cervical vertebrae
The cervical (neck) vertebrae are the upper 7 vertebrae in the spinal column (the vertebral column). They are designated C1 through C7 from the top down.
Cervicectomy
Surgical removal of the cervix, the lower portion of the uterus that protrudes into the vagina. Cervicectomy is also called trachelectomy.
Cervicitis
An inflammation of the cervix, cervicitis can be caused a bacterial or viral infection or irritation of the cervix during childbirth or surgery. Symptoms include an abonormal discharge, pain, or spotting.
Cervidil
Cervidil is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) approved in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): dinoprostone.
Cervix
The neck or neck-like part of an organ; specifically the neck of the lower part of the uterus, or womb, where the vagina and uterus unite.
Cervix, incompetent
A cervix that is abnormally liable to dilate and so is not competent to hold the fetus and keep it from being spontaneously aborted (miscarried).
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Cafe au lait spots
Irregularly shaped, permanent tan or light brown flat birthmark patches. More than a few large spots may indicate neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder, so if your baby has them, tell his doctor.
Celiac sprue
An inherited food intolerance characterized by sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, oats, and barley.
Cephalopelvic disproportion
When a baby's head is too large to pass through the mother's pelvis. This condition accounts for about 5 percent of cesarean deliveries.
Cerclage
Stitching closed a weak cervix (called an incompetent cervix) to support a pregnancy to term. Most successful in preventing miscarriage and preterm labor when performed early in pregnancy - at about 18 to 20 weeks.
Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
A CNM has a degree in nursing, experience as a labor and delivery nurse, and at least one year of hands-on training in midwifery. A CNM must always have backup support from an on-call physician.
Cervical cap
Cervical incompetence
A condition in which the cervix, under pressure from the growing uterus, opens before a pregnancy has reached term. Can cause miscarriage in the second trimester or preterm labor in the third, but can be treated by surgical reinforcement of the cervical muscle (called cerclage).
Cervical mucus
Vaginal discharge that changes in consistency throughout a woman's monthly cycle, resembling raw egg white around ovulation. Many women check the consistency of their cervical mucus along with their basal body temperature to chart fertility.
Cervical mucus method
A natural birth control method accomplished by timing intercourse according to the consistency of the woman's cervical mucus. Mucus similar to raw egg white signifies ovulation, when a woman is most fertile, while thick and cloudy mucus indicates a time when conception is less likely.
Cervicitis
An inflammation of the cervix, cervicitis can be caused a bacterial or viral infection or irritation of the cervix during childbirth or surgery. Symptoms include an abonormal discharge, pain, or spotting.
Cesarean section
A surgical procedure in which a baby is delivered through an incision in the abdomen and uterus. Used when a woman can't give birth vaginally or if the baby is in distress.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Diaphragm
The muscle wall between the chest and the abdomen. It is the major muscle that the body uses for breathing.
Cervix
The neck or neck-like part of an organ; specifically the neck of the lower part of the uterus, or womb, where the vagina and uterus unite.
Sperm
A sperm cell, or spermatozoon (pl. spermatozoa) (in Greek: sperm = semen and zoon = alive), is the haploid cell that is the male gamete. It is carried in fluid called semen, and is capable of fertilising an egg cell to form a zygote. A zygote can grow into a new organism, such as a human. Sperm cells contain half of the genetic information needed to create life. Generally, the sex of the offspring is determined by the sperm, through the chromosomal pair "XX" (for a female) or "XY" (for a male).
Physician
A doctor. An authorized practitioner of medicine.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Cervical
Having to do with the neck (cervical spine) or the cervix of the uterus.
Cervical cancer
Cancer of the uterine cervix, happens when normal cells in the cervix change into cancer cells. This change normally takes several years to happen, but it can also happen in a very short amount of time. Before the cells turn into cancer, abnormal cells develop on the cervix that can be found by a Pap test. Women generally don't have symptoms of cervical cancer. But when cervical cancer is not found early and spreads deeper into your cervix or to other tissues or organs, you might have pain during sex; bleeding from your vagina after sex, between periods, or after menopause; heavy vaginal discharge.
Cervical cerclage
The surgical placement of a purse-string suture around an incompetent cervix, one that is abnormally liable to dilate, in order to prevent premature onset of labor and a miscarriage. The suture material must be removed prior to delivery.
Cervical disc
A disk shaped piece of specialized tissue that separates the vertebral bones of the spinal column in the neck.
Cervical dysplasia
Condition in which cells in the cervix have undergone precancerous changes. It is detected by a Pap smear; treatment can prevent it from progressing to cervical cancer.
Cervical dystocia
Difficult labor and delivery caused by mechanical obstruction at the cervix.
Cervical incompetence
A condition in which the cervix, under pressure from the growing uterus, opens before a pregnancy has reached term. Can cause miscarriage in the second trimester or preterm labor in the third, but can be treated by surgical reinforcement of the cervical muscle (called cerclage).
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
A general term for the growth of abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix. Numbers from 1 to 3 may be used to describe how much of the cervix contains abnormal cells. Also called CIN.
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)
Term used to classify the degree of precancerous change in cells of the cervix in a condition called cervical dysplasia.
Cervical mucus
Vaginal discharge that changes in consistency throughout a woman's monthly cycle, resembling raw egg white around ovulation. Many women check the consistency of their cervical mucus along with their basal body temperature to chart fertility.
Cervical mucus method
A natural birth control method accomplished by timing intercourse according to the consistency of the woman's cervical mucus. Mucus similar to raw egg white signifies ovulation, when a woman is most fertile, while thick and cloudy mucus indicates a time when conception is less likely.
Cervical rib
A supernumerary (extra) rib which arises from the seventh cervical vertebra. It is located above the normal first rib. A cervical rib is present in only about 1 in 200 (0.5%) of people. It may cause nerve and artery problems.
Cervical spondylosis
Degenerative process in the spine in the neck. A combination of disc deterioration and osteoarthritis.
Cervical vertebra, first
The first cervical (neck) vertebra is called the atlas. It supports the head.
Cervical vertebra, second
The second cervical vertebra is called the axis. It is so-named because the uppermost cervical vertebra (called the atlas) rotates about the odontoid process of the second cervical vertebra. The joint between the axis and atlas is a pivot type of joint. It allows the head turn.
Cervical vertebrae
The cervical (neck) vertebrae are the upper 7 vertebrae in the spinal column (the vertebral column). They are designated C1 through C7 from the top down.
Cervicectomy
Surgical removal of the cervix, the lower portion of the uterus that protrudes into the vagina. Cervicectomy is also called trachelectomy.
Cervicitis
An inflammation of the cervix, cervicitis can be caused a bacterial or viral infection or irritation of the cervix during childbirth or surgery. Symptoms include an abonormal discharge, pain, or spotting.
Cervidil
Cervidil is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) approved in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): dinoprostone.
Cervix
The neck or neck-like part of an organ; specifically the neck of the lower part of the uterus, or womb, where the vagina and uterus unite.
Cervix, incompetent
A cervix that is abnormally liable to dilate and so is not competent to hold the fetus and keep it from being spontaneously aborted (miscarried).
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Cafe au lait spots
Irregularly shaped, permanent tan or light brown flat birthmark patches. More than a few large spots may indicate neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder, so if your baby has them, tell his doctor.
Celiac sprue
An inherited food intolerance characterized by sensitivity to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, oats, and barley.
Cephalopelvic disproportion
When a baby's head is too large to pass through the mother's pelvis. This condition accounts for about 5 percent of cesarean deliveries.
Cerclage
Stitching closed a weak cervix (called an incompetent cervix) to support a pregnancy to term. Most successful in preventing miscarriage and preterm labor when performed early in pregnancy - at about 18 to 20 weeks.
Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
A CNM has a degree in nursing, experience as a labor and delivery nurse, and at least one year of hands-on training in midwifery. A CNM must always have backup support from an on-call physician.
Cervical cap
Cervical incompetence
A condition in which the cervix, under pressure from the growing uterus, opens before a pregnancy has reached term. Can cause miscarriage in the second trimester or preterm labor in the third, but can be treated by surgical reinforcement of the cervical muscle (called cerclage).
Cervical mucus
Vaginal discharge that changes in consistency throughout a woman's monthly cycle, resembling raw egg white around ovulation. Many women check the consistency of their cervical mucus along with their basal body temperature to chart fertility.
Cervical mucus method
A natural birth control method accomplished by timing intercourse according to the consistency of the woman's cervical mucus. Mucus similar to raw egg white signifies ovulation, when a woman is most fertile, while thick and cloudy mucus indicates a time when conception is less likely.
Cervicitis
An inflammation of the cervix, cervicitis can be caused a bacterial or viral infection or irritation of the cervix during childbirth or surgery. Symptoms include an abonormal discharge, pain, or spotting.
Cesarean section
A surgical procedure in which a baby is delivered through an incision in the abdomen and uterus. Used when a woman can't give birth vaginally or if the baby is in distress.
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This dictionary contains 19186 terms.
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