L



L




labetalol hydrochloride oral or intravenous alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor blocker used in hypertension.


labia lips. L. majora large fold of flesh surrounding vulva. L. minora lesser fold within. Sing labium.


labial pertaining to labia.


labile unstable, liable to variation. L. hypertension blood pressure varies between normal and higher level.


labour parturition, childbirth. Normal l. occurs spontaneously after 37 weeks’ gestation with vertex presentation, single fetus; completed within 24 hours without maternal or fetal trauma; physiology depends on interaction between uterus, maternal pelvis and fetus. During first stage, cervical effacement and dilatation occur; contractions are fundally dominant; uterine polarity facilitates contraction and retraction in upper uterine segment, contraction and dilatation in lower uterine segment. Second stage is from full cervical dilatation until delivery of baby. Third stage involves separation and expulsion of placenta and membranes, control of haemorrhage. Obstructed l. fetus is unable to negotiate pelvic canal, no descent of presenting part despite good uterine action. Maternal causes: contracted bony pelvis or soft pelvic mass, e.g. fibroids. Fetal causes: malpresentation, malposition or abnormality, e.g. hydrocephalus. Dangers include: uterine rupture, fetal death. Diagnosis: severe maternal pain, tachycardia, pyrexia, oliguria, ketonuria; abdominally, uterus appears‘moulded’ around fetus, continuously hypertonic, fetal parts not felt. Treatment: relieve pain, dehydration, shock, Caesarean section or manipulative or destructive procedure to deliver baby to save mother’s life. Precipitate l. completed in under 2 hours due to extremely strong contractions of which mother may be unaware; risks include haemorrhage, uterine inversion, birth injury because of rapid delivery and moulding of head. Preterm l. occurs after 24 and before 37 weeks’ gestation. Spontaneous l. occurs without induction or acceleration. Spurious l. contractions but no cervical dilatation; false labour.


laceration tear. Perineal l. See perineal.


lacrimal pertaining to tears. L. ducts minute openings at inner end of eyelid; convey lacrimal fluid into nose via nasolacrimal duct to mix with nose secretions. L. glandssmall bodies in orbital cavity at upper and outer surface of eyeball providing fluid (tears) that keep conjunctiva moist and free from infection through action of lysozyme, except in neonate.


lactalbumin main protein in human milk, easily digested by baby.


lactase enzyme produced by cells in small intestine; splits lactose into monosaccharides glucose and galactose.


lactation secretion of milk by breasts.


lacteals lymphatics of intestine that absorb split fats.


lactic acid acid produced during hypoxia, e.g. in blood of asphyxiated baby, causing high acidaemia; also produced in gut by fermentation of lactose through action of bacilli.


lactiferous conveying milk, e.g. lactiferous ducts.


Lactobacillus acidophilus Döderlein’s bacillus; Gram-positive bacillus normal inhabitant of vagina during reproductive years; converts glycogen to lactic acid, inhibiting growth of other organisms; predominates in stools of breastfed babies.


lactoferrin iron-binding protein in human milk; bacteriostatic on escherichia coli.


lactogen substance enhancing lactation. Human placental l placental hormone with lactogenic, luteotrophic and growth-promoting activity; inhibits maternal insulin activity during pregnancy; disappears from blood immediately after delivery.


lactoglobulin globulin in milk.


lactose milk sugar, disaccharide. L. intolerance inability of baby to tolerate lactose because of insufficient lactase; causes diarrhoea; treated by giving lactose-free milk; avoid confusion with galactosaemia.


lactosuria lactose in urine; not glycosuria; often occurs in lactation period and towards term; not clinically significant.


lactulose oral laxative; takes up to 48 hours to take effect.


laked blood in which haemoglobin has separated from red blood cells.


lam contraceptive method, algorithm of lactation, amenorrhoea and 6-month time period.


Lamaze method preparation for natural childbirth by training mind and body to modify pain perception during labour.


lambda posterior fontanelle of fetal skull, resembling Greek letter lambda (λ).


lambdoidal suture suture between occipital bone and two parietal bones.


Lancefield’s classification classification of haemolytic streptococci into groups on basis of serological action.


Landsteiner’s classification international designation of blood groups as O, A, B and AB, depending on presence or absence of agglutinogens A and B in erythrocytes.


Langerhans islets specialised pancreatic cells, producing insulin to control carbohydrate metabolism; disease of islet cells causes diabetes mellitus.


Langhans cell layer cytotrophoblast; inner layer of the trophoblast.


lanugo fine hair covering fetus in utero, disappears by term or shortly after birth.


laparoscope instrument for examining peritoneal cavity.


laparoscopy examination of interior of abdomen with laparoscope.


laparotomy exploratory opening of abdominal cavity.


large for gestational age baby baby whose weight is above 90th centile.


laryngeal pertaining to larynx. L. oedema oedema of larynx, sometimes occurring in severe pre-eclampsia, pregnancy-induced hypertension. L. stridor noise made by baby, usually on inspiration, exacerbated by crying; usually due to laryngomalacia.


laryngomalacia neonatal condition, laxity of larynx, possibly due to delayed development of supporting tissues. Usually causes no problems, but sometimes associated with respiratory, neuromuscular or gastroenterological problems. Symptoms: stridor, feeding problems, ear, nose, throat problems; in severe cases, low oxygen levels disrupt normal growth; more distressing for parents than baby; may take 2 years to resolve.


laryngoscope endoscopic instrument to inspect larynx and vocal cords, aid insertion of endotracheal tube.


larynx organ at upper end of trachea; muscular and cartilaginous frame, lined with mucous membrane; vocal cords of elastic tissue are spread across it, with glottis in space between cords.


laser device used in surgery and diagnosis; transfers electromagnetic radiation into intense, nearly non-divergent beam of monochromatic radiation; capable of mobilising immense heat and power at close range.


last menstrual period (LMP) determining date of first day of last normal menstrual period assists in estimating date of delivery; mother may mistake implantation bleeding as normal menstrual period, so midwife should check that date refers to vaginal bleeding occurring when mother expected period which lasted normal duration.


latent hidden, not manifest. L. phase apparently inactive period in early first-stage labour.

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

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