Medical Terminology Flashcards

What does the term 'tocodynamometry' measure in obstetric care?

Answer: Uterine contraction frequency and duration

'Toco-' means labor/childbirth, 'dynamo-' means force/power, and '-metry' means measurement, so tocodynamometry measures uterine contraction strength.

The term 'nullipara' describes a woman who:

Answer: Has never delivered a viable infant

'Nulli-' means none and '-para' means to bear (children), so nullipara refers to a woman who has never delivered a viable infant.

In OB/GYN medical coding, 'perinatology' pertains to:

Answer: Care during the period around the time of birth

'Peri-' means around or surrounding, and 'natal' relates to birth, so perinatology covers the period from 20 weeks gestation to 28 days after birth.

What does the term 'gravida' specifically indicate in obstetric history notation?

Answer: Total number of pregnancies

'Gravida' (from Latin 'gravidus' meaning heavy) refers to the total number of times a woman has been pregnant, regardless of outcome.

The combining form 'vulv/o' refers to which anatomical structure?

Answer: External female genitalia

'Vulv/o' refers to the vulva, which comprises the external female genitalia including the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and vaginal vestibule.

What does 'lochia' refer to in postpartum medical terminology?

Answer: Vaginal discharge following childbirth

Lochia is the vaginal discharge of blood, mucus, and uterine tissue that occurs after childbirth, transitioning from lochia rubra to serosa to alba over weeks.

The term 'chorioamnionitis' describes inflammation of which structures?

Answer: Fetal membranes (chorion and amnion)

'Chorio-' refers to the chorion, 'amnio-' to the amnion, and '-itis' means inflammation, so chorioamnionitis is infection/inflammation of the fetal membranes.