Glossary
Amniocentesis: A procedure in which a needle is used to withdraw and test a small amount of amniotic fluid and cells from the sac surrounding the fetus.
Amniotic Fluid: Water in the sac surrounding the fetus in the mother’s uterus.
Biopsy: A minor surgical procedure to remove a small piece of tissue that is then examined under a microscope in a laboratory.
Chorionic Villus Sampling: A procedure in which a small sample of cells is taken from the placenta and tested.
Congenital Anomalies: Changes in a body structure or function from what is normally expected that are present from birth.
Cyst: A sac or pouch filled with fluid.
Ectopic Pregnancy: A pregnancy in which the fertilized egg begins to grow in a place other than inside the uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes.
Fetus: The stage of prenatal development that starts 8 weeks after fertilization and lasts until the end of pregnancy.
Fibroid: A growth, usually benign, that forms in the muscle of the uterus.
Genetic Disorders: Disorders caused by a change in genes or chromosomes.
Gestational Age: The age of a pregnancy, usually calculated from the number of weeks that have elapsed from the first day of the last normal menstrual period and often using findings from an ultrasound examination performed in the first or second trimester of pregnancy.
Intrauterine Device (IUD): A small device that is inserted and left inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy.
Mammography: An imaging technique in which X-rays of the breast are used to detect breast cancer. The image that is created is called a mammogram.
Obstetrician–Gynecologist (Ob-Gyn): A physician with special skills, training, and education in women’s health.
Placenta: Tissue that provides nourishment to and takes waste away from the fetus.
Transducer: A device that emits sound waves and translates the echoes into electrical signals.
Trimester: Any of the three 3-month periods into which pregnancy is divided.
Ultrasound: Sound waves that can be used to examine internal structures or as a treatment for certain conditions.
Ultrasound Exam: A test in which sound wave are used to examine internal structures. During pregnancy, it can be used to examine the fetus.
Uterus: A muscular organ located in the female pelvis that contains and nourishes the developing fetus during pregnancy.