nulligravida A woman who has never been pregnant.
nullipara A woman who has not delivered a child who reached viability.
obstetrics The branch of medicine concerned with the care of a woman during
pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartal period.
oxytocin challenge test (OCT) A dilution of I.V. solution of oxytocin administered to
the mother until a contraction pattern is developed.
oocyte A developing egg in one of two stages.
oogenesis The production of female sex cells.
ovaries Two almond shaped glands that produce female hormones and female sex
cells.
ovulation The release of an egg cell from a mature ovarian follicle.
ovum The female reproductive cell.
palpation Examination by touch or feel.
para A woman who has delivered a viable child (not necessarily living at birth).
penis The male organ of reproduction or copulation.
perineum The area of tissue between the anus and scrotum in the male or between
the vagina and anus in the female.
peritoneum A strong, serous membrane that lines the abdomina-pelvic wall.
placenta A specialized disk-shaped organ that connects the fetus to the uterine walls
for gas and nutrient exchange; also referred to as the afterbirth.
placental abruption Premature separation of a normally implanted placenta.
placenta previa A placenta that is implanted in the lower uterine segment so that it
adjoins or covers the internal os of the cervix.
position The relationship between a predetermined point of reference or direction on
the presenting part of the fetus to the pelvis of the mother.
MD0921
G-6