Dictionary

perineal prostatectomy An operation to remove the prostate gland through an incision made between the scrotum and the anus.

perineal Pertaining to the perineum.

perinatalogy A subspecialty of obstetrics that is concerned with the care of the mother and fetus when there is a higher-than-normal risk for complications.

perinatalogist An obstetrical subspecialist who is concerned with the care of the mother and fetus when there is a higher-than-normal risk of complications. Most perinatologists are obstetricians. A high-risk baby is often cared for by a perinatologist before birth and by a neonatologist after birth.

perinatal transmission See vertical transmission.

perinatal Pertaining to the period immediately before and after birth. The perinatal period is defined in diverse ways. Depending on the definition, it starts at the 20th to 28th week of gestation and ends 1 to 4 weeks after birth.

perimenopause See menopause transition.

perichondroma A benign tumor that arises from the perichondrium.

perichondrium A dense membrane that is composed of fibrous connective tissue that closely wraps all cartilage except the cartilage in joints, which is covered by a synovial membrane.

perichondritis Inflammation of the perichondrium.

perichondrial Having to do with the perichondrium, the membrane that surrounds cartilage.

pericentric chromosome inversion See chromosome inversion, pericentric.