Dictionary

abortion, recurrent See abortion, habitual.

abortion, multiple See abortion, habitual.

abortion, habitual The miscarriage of three or more consecutive pregnancies with no intervening pregnancies. Habitual abortion is a form of infertility. Also known as recurrent abortion and multiple abortion.

1. Definition Abortion is the premature termination of pregnancy, leading to the expulsion of the fetus, fetal membranes, and placenta from the uterus before viability. It can occur naturally (miscarriage) or be induced through medical or surgical means. 2. Types of Abortion 3. Causes of Abortion 4. Procedures 5. Risks and Complications 6. Legal and…

abortifacient A medication or substance that causes pregnancy to end prematurely.

ABO blood group The major human blood group system. The ABO type of a person depends on the presence or absence of two genes, A and B. These genes determine the configuration of the red blood cell surface. A person who has two A genes has red blood cells of type A. A person who…

abnormal Outside the expected norm, or uncharacteristic of a particular patient.

ablation Removal or excision. Ablation is usually carried out surgically. For example, surgical removal of the thyroid gland (a total thyroidectomy) is ablation of the thyroid.

ablate To remove, from a Latin word meaning “to carry away.” See ablation.

abiotrophy Loss of function, or degeneration for reasons unknown.

ABG Arterial blood gas, a sampling of the blood levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide within the arteries, as opposed to the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in veins. Typically, the acidity (pH) is also simultaneously measured.

abductor muscle See muscle, abductor.