G



G




gag 1. instrument for holding open jaws. 2. to retch, or strive to vomit. G. reflex elevation of soft palate and retching, elicited by touching back of tongue or wall of pharynx; pharyngeal reflex.


Gairdner headbox perspex box placed over baby’s head into which additional oxygen is provided to increase oxygen concentration of inspired air.


gait walk or carriage; abnormal gait in pregnant woman may indicate pelvic deformity.


galact-, galacto- word element meaning ‘milk’.


galactischia suppression of milk secretion.


galactogogue agent that increases milk secretion.


galactorrhoea excessive flow of breast milk.


galactosaemia genetically determined biochemical disorder; lack of enzyme necessary for galactose metabolism leads to high levels of galactose in blood and tissues, causing failure to thrive, hepatomegaly, jaundice, ultimately, mental retardation and death if untreated; exclusion of all galactose- or lactose-containing foods from diet will control condition.


galactose monosaccharide resulting from digestion of lactose, converted to glucose by liver.


galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase enzyme that converts galactose to glucose; deficiency causes galactosaemia.


galea aponeurotica tendon of occipitofrontalis muscle, which forms layer of scalp.


Galen, vein of See great vein of galen.


gall bladder sac on underpart of liver, holding and concentrating bile secreted by liver. G. b. changes in pregnancy dilatation of gall bladder in pregnancy slows rate of emptying, causing thickened bile and increased chance of obstetric cholestasis; incomplete emptying may lead to gallstones, relatively common in asymptomatic women.


gamete female (oocyte) or male (spermatazoon) reproductive cell.


gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) infertility treatment involving retrieval of oocytes from ovary at laparoscopy and placing them sequentially with sperm into fallopian tubes; suitable for women with unexplained infertility and those with one patent, healthy fallopian tube when male sperm parameters are near normal. See also zygote intrafallopian transfer.


gamgee tissue absorbent wool covered with gauze, used for dressing wounds, etc.


gamma globulin plasma proteins composed almost entirely of IgG, immunoglobulin protein containing most antibody activity and providing almost all known antibodies circulating in blood. Commercial preparations derived from blood serum, are used to prevent, modify and treat various infectious diseases, providing passive immunity, against infections to which most of population has antibodies. Gamma globulin with high anti-Rhesus antibody activity is given to Rhesus-negative mothers within 72 hours of delivery to prevent natural formation of antibody.


ganglion nerve centre from which nerve fibres proceed.


gangrene death of tissue, usually applied to large area or definite organ. Dry g. due to failure of arterial blood supply, e.g. process by which umbilical cord dries and separates from umbilicus 5–7 days after birth. Moist g. caused by putrefactive changes, e.g. umbilical cord infection when it remains moist, becomes offensive and separation is delayed.


Gardnerella See bacterial vaginosis.


gargoylism type of mucopolysaccharidosis.


gas vaporous matter in its least dense form, neither solid nor liquid, where molecules are in constant movement; air is mixture of several gases: oxygen, nitrogen, traces of carbon dioxide, argon and helium.


‘gas and oxygen’ analgesia See inhalation analgesia and entonox.


gas gangrene infection of damaged tissues by anaerobic organism Clostridium welchii.


Gaskin manoeuvre all-fours position, sometimes required for management of shoulder dystocia. See appendix 4.


gastric pertaining to stomach.


gastritis inflammation of stomach lining.


gastro- prefix relating to stomach.


gastroenteritis inflammation of lining of stomach and intestine; acute diarrhoea and vomiting producing rapid and severe dehydration, particularly dangerous in babies; immediate isolation from other babies is vital; oral or intravenous fluids are given to combat dehydration, correct electrolyte balance and treat infection.


gastrointestinal pertaining to stomach and intestines. G. tract alimentary tract.


gastrojejunostomy surgical anastomosis of stomach to jejunum, performed to bypass obstruction in babies born with duodenal atresia.


gastro-oesophageal reflux in pregnancy common physiological disorder due to relaxation of cardiac sphincter at stomach entrance, causing regurgitation of acid stomach contents; antacids may be given to relieve oesophageal burning.


gastroschisis congenital fissure of abdominal wall.


gastrostomy creation of an opening into stomach to allow administration of food and liquids when stricture of oesophagus or other conditions make swallowing impossible.


gate control theory of pain theory of neural mechanism in dorsal horns of spinal cord that acts like gate, increasing or decreasing nerve impulse flow from peripheral fibres to central nervous system, influencing pain perception; See also transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (tens).


Geiger counter instrument used to detect radioactive substances.


gemellology scientific study of twins and twinning.


gemeprost pessaries that soften and dilate cervix, used to facilitate first-trimester transcervical procedures and for second-trimester termination of pregnancy.


gender category to which individual is assigned on basis of sex.


gene single unit of hereditary factors located in defined position on chromosome; composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (dna), consisting of complex double chain of molecules carrying individual genetic codes and controlling day-to-day functions and reproduction of all body cells. Capable of replication by mitosis; each daughter cell carries exact replica of genes of parent cell, carrying hereditary traits through successive generations without change. Occasionally, abnormal or mutant genes occur, e.g. as in phenylketonuria in which there are two abnormal recessive genes.


general anaesthesia inhibition of sensory, motor and sympathetic nerve transmission at level of brain, resulting in unconsciousness and lack of sensation; rarely used in obstetrics; remains significant cause of maternal death, notably due to mendelson’s syndrome.


generic 1. pertaining to genus. 2. general, non-proprietary; e.g. drug name not protected by trademark.


genetic counselling consultation at which geneticist explains chances of recurrence of hereditary diseases, advising couples on risks to future children.


genetics

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Jun 18, 2016 | Posted by in MIDWIFERY | Comments Off on G

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