Medical Dictionary [antikvár]

abdomen the region of the body which lies below the thorax, being divided from it by the diaphragm, and above the pelvis. The abdominal cavity contains the digestive organs (e.g. the stomach and intestines), the excretory organs (bladder and kidneys) and, in females, the reproductive organs (womb and ovaries). ablation the surgical removal (i.e. by cutting) of any part of the body. abortifacient one of a number of drugs used to bring about an induced abortion. abortion the removal of an embryo or foetus from the womb, either by natural expulsion or by human intervention, before it is considered to be viable at the 24th week of pregnancy. An abortion may be spontaneous, and this is commonest during the first three months of pregnancy and is thought to be most often associated with abnormalities in the foetus. Or, an abortion may be induced, when it is also known as therapeutic, or termination of pregnancy, and is carried out for medical or social reasons. Unless the mother's life is at risk, United Kingdom legislation requires a therapeutic abortion to be carried out before 24 weeks gestation. A threatened abortion occurs when the foetus is alive but there is bleeding from the uterus and/or pain. If the foetus has died the abortion is referred to as inevitable. An incomplete abortion describes the situation where some of the foetal material is left behind in the uterus. Habitual abortion is where a woman loses each foetus in three consecutive pregnancies before the 20th week. The foetus weighs less than 500 grams and an abnormality in the uterus is one of the reasons why this occurs. ABO system a blood group classification, see blood groups. abrasion a superficial injury caused by the mechanical rubbing off of the skin surface or outer layer of a mucous membrane. Also known as a graze. abruptio placentae bleeding from the placenta after the 28th week of pregnancy which may result in the placenta becoming completely or partially detached from the wall of the uterus. abscess a collection of pus at a lo-