| |
pregnancy
(preg´nәn-se)
the condition of having a developing embryo or fetus in the body, after union of an oocyte and spermatozoon. It is marked by cessation of the menses; nausea on arising in the
morning (morning sickness); enlargement of the breasts and pigmentation of the nipples; progressive enlargement of the abdomen.
The absolute signs of pregnancy are fetal movements, sounds of the fetal heart, and demonstration of the fetus by x-ray or
ultrasound.
the period during which a female is pregnant, in humans being about 266 days from the time of fertilization of the oocyte
until birth (or 288 days from the last normal menstrual period to birth); see also gestation period.
Pregnancy—Uterine levels.
Copyright 2007. An Elsevier publication. All rights reserved.
Click here for important legal information about Dorland's Medical Dictionary.
|
.jpg)
