As I go along in my birth education, I have miscellaneous questions occur or come across insightful info, so I will write these things here
Why in the world is listening to a heartbeat called “auscultation”? This word is derived from the Latin word auscultare, “to listen.” NOW it makes sense!
What is an antigen? The word comes from “antibody-generating. Also called immunogen. A substance that causes the immune system to make antibodies. Antigens include bacteria, viruses, pollen
What is meningitis? Infection or inflammation of the membranes (meninges) around the brain and spinal cord.
What is “anorectal”? “A reference to the anus and the rectum or to the junction between the two.”
What is “postprandial”? It means after a meal, usually two hours after.
What is the “neural tube” referred to in neural tube defects? Ever heard that lack of folic acid can cause neural tube defects? What does that mean exactly? Here’s what I’ve learned: the neural tube in the embryo (is made in the first 6 wks of pregnancy) develops in to the Central Nervous System (the spinal cord and brain). So the neural tube effects the fetus’ brain, skull and spine. A neural tube defect is a congenital defect that is the result of the tube not closing properly at some point (locationally). Resulting defects are things like anencephaly, hydrocephaly, encephalocele (these three involve improper closure of the skull), and spina bifida (improper closure on the spine).
What is SERUM? In studying HIV, i’ve come across this word and derivatives of it. It is the clear fluid of blood that remains after the blood cells and clotting proteins have been removed. So there are no RBCs, WBCs, platelets or fibrinogen in serum. The blood clots and a centrifuge is used to get the serum out.
What is the difference between anesthesia and analgesia? Anesthesia causes the loss of sensation while analgesia gives pain relief. Examples of anesthesics: Epidural block, spinal block, caudal block. Examples of analgesics: Demerol, Stadol, Nubain, morphine. In some cases, the same substance can be used, but depending on the dose, it may be either analgesic or anesthetic.
What is a gland? Wikipedia: “A gland is an organ in an animal’s body that synthesizes a substance for release such as hormones or breast milk, often into the bloodstream (endocrine gland) or into cavities inside the body or its outer surface (exocrine gland).” The major endocrine glands (endocrine: think hormones, think going into the bloodstream) are pineal and pituitary (both located in the brain), the thyroid (neck), thymus (chest), adrenal (renal=kidneys), pancreas (part of digestive system, also exocrine gland), ovary/testes. These are only the major endocrine glands; there are more. During pregnancy, the placenta and uterus also act as endocrine glands.
What are gonads? Wikipedia: “The gonad is the organ that makes gametes. The gonads in males are the testes and the gonads in females are the ovaries. The product, gametes, are haploid germ cells. For example, spermatozoon and egg cells are gametes. . . . In addition to producing gametes, the gonads are a combined glands providing both exocrine and endocrine functions. . . . The male gonads, known as the testes or testicles, secrete a class of hormones called androgens, and produce spermatozoa. The predominant androgen in males is testosterone. . . . The gonads are controlled hormonally by luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. The anterior pituitary gland’s excretion of LH and FSH are, in turn, controlled by the hypothalamus’ [also endocrine gland] gonadotropin-releasing hormone.”
