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germinal stage
the period of development conception and the implantation of the embryo
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blastocyst
a stage within the germinal period of prenatal development in which the zygote has the form of a sphere of cells surrounding a cavity of fluid
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embryonic disk
the platelike inner part of the blastocyst that differentiates into the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm of the embroyo
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trophoblast
the outer part of the blastocyst from which the amniotic sac, placenta, and umbilical cord develop
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umbilical cord
a tube that connects the fetus to the placenta
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placenta
an organ connected to the uterine wall and to the fetus by the umbilical cord. the placenta serves as a filter between mother and fetus for the exchange of nutrients and wastes.
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embryonic stage
the stage of prenatal development that lasts from implantation through the eight week of pregnancy it is characterized by the development of the major organ systems.
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cephalocaudal
from head to tail
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proximodistal
from the inner part of the body outward
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ectoderm
the outermost cell layer of the newly formed embryo from which the skin and nervous system develop
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neural tube
a structure that forms in the ectoderm during the embryonic stage, from which the skin and nervous system develop.
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endoderm
the inner layer of the embryo from which the lungs and digestive system develop
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mesoderm
the centeral layer of the embryo from which the bones and muscles develop
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androgens
male sex hormones
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amniotic sac
the sac containing the fetus
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amniotic fluid
fluid within the amniotic sac that suspends and protects the fetus
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fetal stage
the stage of development that lasts from the beginning of the ninth week of pregnancy through birth. it is characterized by gains in size and weight and by maturation of the organ system.
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stillbirth
the delivery of dead fetus
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teratogens
environmental agents that can damage the embryo or the fetus
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critical period
in this usage, a period during which an embryo or fetus is particularly vulnerable to a certain teratogen.
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syphilis
a sexually transmitted infection that, in advanced stages, can attack major organ systems.
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congenital
present at birth, resulting from the prenatal environment
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rubella
a viral infection that can cause retardation and heart disease in the embryo. also called german measles
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toxemia
a life threatening disease that can afflci pregnant women. it is characterized by high blood pressure.
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premature
born before the full term of gestation. also referred to as preterm.
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Rh incompatibility
a condition in which antibodies produced by the mother are transmitted to the child, possibly causing brain damage or death
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thalidomide
a sedative used in the 1960s that has been linked to birth defects, especially deformed or absent limbs
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progestin
a hormone used to maintain pregnancy that can sauce masculinization of the fetus
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DES
diethylstilbestrol, an estrogen that has been linked to cancer in the reproductive organs of childeren of women who used the homone when pregnant.
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Fetal alcohol syndrome
a cluster of symptoms shown by children of women who drank heavily during pregnancy including characteristic facia features and mental retardation.
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fetal monitoring
use of an electronic sensing device to track the fetus's vital signs during childbirth
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forceps
an intrument that fits around the baby's head to pull the baby through the birht canal
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vacuum extraction tube
an instrument that uses suction to pull the baby through the birth canal
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transition
initial movement of the baby's head into the birth canal
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episiotomy
an incision between the birth canal and anus that widens the vaginal opening to prevent random tearing during childbirth
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midwife
a trained person who helps women in childbirth
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cesarean section
deliver of the neonate through an incision in the mother's abdomen
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hypoxia
less oxygen than needed
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breech presentation
a position in which the baby enters the birth canal buttocks first.
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preterm
boran at or before completion of 37 weeks of gestation
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small for dates
descriptive of full term neonates who are usually small for their age
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lanugo
fine, downy hair on the body of the neonate especially preterm babies.
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vernix
an oily white substance that coats the skin of the neonate especially preterm babies.
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respiratory distress syndrome
breathing problems, including weak and irregular breathing to which preterm babies are prone.
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incubator
a heated, protective container in which premature infants are kept.
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postpartum period
the period following childbirth
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postpartum depression
severe, prolonged depression after delivery that is characterized by feelings of sadness, apathy, and worthlessness
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bonding
the formation of feelings of attachment between caregiver and child
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apgar scale
a measure of a newborn's health that assesses the appearance pulse grimace activity level and respiratory effort
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visual accomodation
the automatic adjustments made by the lenses of the eyes to focus on objects
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convergence
the inward movemnt of the eyes to focus on a nearby object
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amplitude
the height of sound waves. the greater the amplitude of sound waves the louder the saound is
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pitch
the highness or lowness of a sound, as determined by the frequency of sound waves
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pacifier
an artifical nipple teething ring or similar device that when sucked soothes babies
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sudden infant death syndrome
the death while sleeping of apparently healthy babies who stop breathing for unknown reasons
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medulla
a part of the brainstem that regulates vital and automatic functions such as breathing and the sleep-wae cycle
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