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Fourth stage of labor
Fourth stage of labor The hour or two after delivery when the tone of the uterus is established and the uterus contracts down again expelling any remaining contents. These contractions are hastened by breast-feeding, which stimulates production of the hormone oxytocin.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Delivery
See drug delivery.
Uterus
The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman's lower abdomen, between the bladder and the rectum, that sheds its lining each month during menstruation and in which a fertilized egg (ovum) becomes implanted and the fetus develops.
Hormone
A chemical substance formed in the body that is carried in the bloodstream to affect another part of the body; an example is thyroid hormone, produced by the thyroid gland in the neck, which affects growth, temperature regulation, metabolic rate, and other body functions.
Oxytocin
A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland which plays a role in childbirth.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Four Hundred Bed Hospital
The Four Hundred Bed Hospital is a hospital in Pecs, Hungary.
Fourth cranial nerve
The fourth cranial nerve, the trochlear nerve, is the nerve supply to the superior oblique muscle of the eye, one of the muscles that moves the eye. Paralysis of the trochlear nerve results in rotation of the eyeball upward and outward (and, therefore, double vision).
Fourth disease
A disorder characterized by a rash due to a toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus (Staph aureus bacteria).
Fourth ventricle
One cavity in a system of four communicating cavities within the brain that are continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Fornix conjunctivae
The fornix of the conjunctivae refers to loose arching folds connecting the conjunctival membrane lining the inside of the eyelid with the conjunctival membrane covering the eyeball.
Fornix uteri
The fornix of the uterus refers to the anterior (front) and posterior (back) recesses into which the upper vagina is divided. These vaultlike recesses are formed by protrusion of the cervix into the vagina. The fornix uteri is also known as the fornix vaginae (the vaginal fornix).
Founder effect
The positive effect on gene frequency when a population (a colony) has only a small number of original settlers (founders) one or more of whom had that gene. For example, the gene for Huntington disease was introduced into the Lake Maracaibo region in Venezuela early in the 19th century. So there are now over a hundred persons with Huntington disease and at least 900 persons at risk for that deadly disease in that region, the largest known aggregation with the Huntington gene in the world.
Fourth cranial nerve
The fourth cranial nerve, the trochlear nerve, is the nerve supply to the superior oblique muscle of the eye, one of the muscles that moves the eye. Paralysis of the trochlear nerve results in rotation of the eyeball upward and outward (and, therefore, double vision).
Fourth disease
A disorder characterized by a rash due to a toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus (Staph aureus bacteria).
Fourth stage of labor
Fourth ventricle
One cavity in a system of four communicating cavities within the brain that are continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord.
Fraction, ejection
The portion of blood that is pumped out of a filled ventricle as a result of a heartbeat. The heart does not eject all of the blood that is in the ventricle. Normally, about two-thirds of the blood is pumped out with each beat. That fraction is referred to the ejection fraction.
Fracture, basilar
A break in bone at the base of the skull. About a half of basilar fractures are caused by bicycle or motor vehicle accidents, about a quarter by falls, and a tenth by recreational activities, particularly by diving accidents. The balance are due to other causes. No matter what cause, the risk of death with a basilar fracture is appreciable. The term "basilar" means located at or near the base of a structure, especially the skull.
Fracture, comminuted
A fracture in which bone is broken, splintered or crushed into a number of pieces.
Fracture, compound
A fracture in which the bone is sticking through the skin. Also called an open fracture.
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