Author: Glossary

The time of the menstrual flow, usually 3-7 days.  

The regular monthly vaginal discharge consisting of blood and the shed endometrium. The discharge of blood from the uterus during menstruation. Flow of blood and other material from the uterus at roughly monthly intervals during a woman’s reproductive years. The average blood loss in the flow is about 30 milliliters, but the amount varies greatly…

A form of therapeutic abortion performed within 2 weeks after the first missed menstrual period. It makes use of a suction technique by inserting a fine, flexible plastic tube into the uterus vacuum aspiration; dilation and curettage; hysterotomy; saline induction. A type of abortion performed early in a pregnancy, using a procedure called vacuum extraction.…

The regularly recurring cycle of physiological events, including ovulation and menstruation. A period, usually of 28 days, during which a woman ovulates, the walls of the uterus swell and bleeding takes place if the ovum has not been fertilised. The regular growth of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) to prepare for a possible fertilized…

Pain experienced by a woman before or during her menstrual period. The problem may have a physical and/or psychological basis, premenstrual syndrome. A cramp in the muscles round the uterus during menstruation. An abdominal cramp associated with menstruation.  

A congenital deformity. The pushing forward of part of the meninges and spinal cord through a gap in the spine. Meningomyelocele is a neural tube defect resulting in the herniation of the meninges and spinal cord through a vertebral defect. Neural tube defects (NTDs) refer to a group of malformations of the spinal cord, brain,…

A meningococcal bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitides, transmitted by nose and throat discharges from an infected person, either directly or indirectly. It is characterized by an acute onset, headache, fever, nausea, stiff neck, and irritability. It is fatal in about 10% of those who contract it.  

A naturally interbreeding unit of sexually reproducing plants or animals.  

The number of items a person can recall after just one presentation or exposure. The number of words or objects one can store and recall when asked to do so.