V

vaccination injection of bacterial vaccine. See bacille calmette–guérin, human papillomavirus, triple vaccine.

vaccine suspension of killed organisms in normal saline. Attenuated v. prepared from living organisms that have lost their virulence. Bacille Calmette– Guérin v. attenuated bovine bacillus to protect against tuberculosis. Salk v. prepared from poliomyelitis virus strain.

vacuum aspiration method of first trimester termination of pregnancy; also used to remove hydatidiform mole.

vacuum extractor alternative to forceps delivery; suction cup is attached to fetal scalp; traction, synchronised with uterine contractions, is exerted. Types of extractor include original Malmström, modified Bird extractor, SILC, with modern autoclavable silicone cup, posing less risk to mother or fetus.

vagal pertaining to vagus nerve.

vagina squamous epithelium-lined canal leading from vulva to cervix; part of birth canal. Anterior wall measures 6.5–7.5 cm with urethra and bladder base embedded in it; posterior wall is 9–10 cm, in contact with perineal body, rectum and pouch of Douglas; lateral walls are in contact with levator ani muscles.

vaginal pertaining to the vagina. V. bleeding See antepartum haemorrhage. V. discharge See discharge. V. examination or examination per vaginam means of assessing obstetric/gynaecological condition by digital examination. V. orifice introitus, vaginal opening.

vaginismus painful vaginal muscle spasm.

vaginitis vaginal inflammation, often due to infection, e.g. Candida albicans, Trichomonas vaginalis.

vagus 10th cranial nerve; parasympathetic nerve widely distributed throughout body, supplying heart, lungs, liver, part of alimentary tract.

validation process of approval, e.g. of academic courses such as midwifery: UK pre-registration programmes are approved by nursing and midwifery council to ensure consistent standards.

validity research term used to determine extent to which a process actually reflects construct being examined when used for specific group or purpose.

Valsalva manoeuvre increase of intrathoracic pressure by forcible exhalation against closed glottis. Babies with respiratory distress adopt partial Valsalva manoeuvre by grunting, maintaining positive pressure in chest even during exhalation, i.e. positive end-expiratory pressure.

value quantitative measurement of activity, concentration, etc., of specific substances. Normal v. range in concentration of specific substances found in normal healthy tissues.

valve membranous fold in canal or passage that prevents backward flow of material passing through it.

vancomycin antibiotic drug used to treat neonatal sepsis.

vanishing twin syndrome reabsorption of one twin fetus, usually before 12 weeks, gestation.

variable in epidemiology, any measurement that can have different values. Dependent v. affected by other variables in epidemiological studies. Independent v. not influenced by other variables in epidemiological studies but may cause alterations in these variables.

variance measure of variation seen in set of data.

varicose swollen or dilated. V. veins abnormally distended, tortuous veins, usually in leg, caused by inefficient valves permitting back- or crossflow of blood, particularly between superficial and deep veins; progesterone in pregnancy relaxes vein walls, causing stasis and inefficient venous return; also occurs in vulva or rectum.

variola smallpox.

varices enlarged tortuous veins, arteries or lymphatic vessels. Sing varix.

vas vessel. Pl vasa. V. deferens tube through which spermatozoa pass from testis to seminal vesicle.

vasa praevia presentation, in front of fetal head during labour, of umbilical cord vessels, which enter placenta in velamentous cord insertion; when membranes rupture, bleeding may lead to fetal distress.

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Tags: Baillieres Midwives Dictionary

Jun 18, 2016 | Posted by admin in MIDWIFERY | Comments Off