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Glossary of Terms

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As new articles are added to PaternityAngel.com, most of the obscure or complex terms or phrases that are used within will be posted here with a concise explanation of the meaning.  Click on the first letter of the word to jump to the correct section.

A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V   W   X   Y   Z

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Acrosome - A membrane at the leading edge of a sperm cell.  It contains enzymes that can digest the jelly-like coating on an egg, so allowing it to enter inside. See Becoming Pregnant

Allele - A form of a gene responsible for hereditary variation.  Everyone has two alleles of each gene, one inherited from the mother and the other from the father. 

Antibody - Y -shaped protein molecules produced in the marrow and carried in the blood, used as a primary immune defense. Each molecule and its clones having a unique binding pattern that can combine with the pattern of a foreign antigen like a virus or bacterium.  This has the effect of disabling the antigen and signaling other immune defenses to assist.

Antigen - A protein substance that can stimulate the production of antibodies and combine with them.

Amniocentesis - An invasive removal of a little amniotic fluid used for genetic testing.  See Genetic Testing Options in Pregnancy

Amniotic Fluid - The liquid in which an embryo is suspended.

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Blastocyte - A mass of about 100 cells created as the zygote multiplies it's cell.  The external part will become the placenta.  The internal part will become the embryo. See Week 1

Braxton Hicks Contractions - Uterine muscle contractions.  Click Here for article

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Chromatin - A substance made up of RNA, DNA and various other proteins.

Chromosomes - Thread-like bodies made of chromatin that carry the genes within each cell.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) - An invasive removal of a small amount of fluid/cells from the Chorionic Villus (outermost embryonic membrane used to help form part of the placenta).  The process is used for genetic testing on the extracted cells.  See Genetic Testing Options in Pregnancy

Cervix - The constricted lower entry into the uterus. See Diagrams of female Human Reproductive System

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Estrogen - Hormone produced by the follicles used to prepare the uterus for the reception of a fertilised egg. 

Ectopic Pregnancy - A pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus.  Se the article on Early Pregnancy Loss

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False Labour (Labor) - see this article.

Follicles - Small sacs in the ovaries that each contain an immature ovum. See Becoming Pregnant

Follicular-Stage - Name given to first stage of feminine menstrual cycle. See Becoming Pregnant

FSH - Follicle Stimulating Hormone.  A peptide that is produced in the pituitary gland in the brain that has different effects on men and women.  In women,  it controls the development of a follicles as they are released from the ovaries.  In men, it encourages the production of spermatazoa.

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Gamete - An egg or spermatozoon. A male or female reproductive cell. 

Gonad - The human sex gland. Produces gametes. 

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HCG - Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. Also called "Serum HCG", "beta-HCG", "b-HCG", "BHCG" and "B-HCG".  A hormone that is secreted by the embryo.  It stimulates the production of estrogen and progesterone.  This is the hormone that is tested for in urine based home pregnancy tests. See HCG in Pregnancy

Hysterectomy - The surgical removal of the uterus.

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Karyotype - A display of the chromosomes in a cell, usually displayed as an arrangement of chromosome pairs in descending order of size.

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Lanugo - A coating of soft, downy hair that covers the foetus.  Helps to control body temperature. See Week 15

Laparoscopy - An examination of the abdominal cavity or performance of minor abdominal surgery using a laparoscope

Luteal Stage - The third stage of the feminine menstrual cycle.

LH - Leutenising Hormone. A hormone produced in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland.  In women, it stimulates the maturation of the follicle and causes the production of the "Yellow Body".  In men, the same hormone stimulates the testis to produce testosterone. (LH is called ICSH in men).

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Metastasis - The transfer of disease-producing organisms or of malignant or cancerous cells to other parts of the body by way of the blood or lymphatic vessels or porous membranes.

Miscarriage - The expulsion of a fetus before it is able to survive outside of the womb. Also called spontaneous abortion. See the article Early Pregnancy Loss

Molar Pregnancy (Hydatidiform Mole) - The result of a genetic mismatch that produces an abnormal growth instead of a foetus.  See article on Early Pregnancy Loss.

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Ovulation - The second stage of the feminine menstrual cycle.

Ovum - Female reproductive cell or gamete.

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Pre-eclampsia - A type of toxemia in pregnancy.  Symptoms include excessive water retention (swollen hands or feet) in early to mid/late pregnancy, hypertension, excessive weight gain or even convulsions if progressed to eclampsia.     See also: "Coming To Term" - Book Review

Pre-Labour (Labor) - See this article

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Triple Test - Also called "The Multiple Marker Test" and "The AFP-Plus Test".  A blood screening process taken any time between the 15th and 22nd week of pregnancy.  Used to detect foetus defects and sometimes "Down Syndrome". See Genetic Testing Options in Pregnancy

Toxoplasmosis - infection caused by the parasite "Toxoplasma gondii", transmitted to humans by consumption of insufficiently cooked meat that contains the parasite or by contact with contaminated cats or their feces.  The illness produced is usually not too bad, but in pregnant women it may severely damage the foetus. See the full article on Toxoplasmosis

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Vernix Caseosa -  A fatty substance made up mostly of dead epidermal cells. Acts as a skin protection for the foetus.

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Yellow Body -  Latin = "Corpus Luteum".  Once a follicle has been impregnated, it breaks open to expose the egg.  The follicle quickly transforms into the Yellow Body and begins to secrete progesterone and estrogen which is used to alert the uterus wall and stimulate it to produce a mucus lining capable of accepting a fertilised egg.  See Becoming Pregnant

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Zygote -  The name given to the structure created when a male and female gamete have merged but before it begins to multiply.

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All information provided on this web site is for the purpose of education, information & discussion only and is not a replacement or substitute for consultations with your medical practitioner.  If you have ANY concerns about your health, please see your doctor immediately and do not rely solely on information found here or anywhere else on the internet.