Glossary (H - K)

HCG

See Human chorionic gonadotropin.

HEMATOCRIT

The volume of red blood cells in the blood.

HEMOGLOBIN

The iron-containing pigment in red blood cells that assists in carrying oxygen throughout the body.

HEMORRHAGE

Excessive loss of blood.

HEMORRHOID

A bulging vein either at the opening of the anus or just inside the anus, often caused by childbirth or straining during bowel movements.

HERPES

A viral infection that causes blisters on the skin or the mucus membranes.

HORMONE

A substance produced by one tissue and conveyed by the blood to another tissue to stimulate activity in that tissue.

HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN (HCG)

A substance produced by the placenta that maintains the corpus luteum, causing it to produce progesterone during pregnancy.

HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM

Excessive vomiting in pregnancy.

HYPERGLYCEMIA

Excessive, abnormal amounts of glucose in the blood.

HYPERTENSION

High blood presure.

HYPOGLYCEMIA

An abnormally low level of glucose in the blood.

IMPLANTATION

Nesting of the fertilized egg into the uterine lining.

IN UTERO

Referring to inside the uterus.

INCISION

A surgical cut.

INDUCTION / INDUCED

The initiation of labor by medical means.

INFERTILITY

The failure to get pregnant after more than one year of unprotected intercourse.

INHERIT

To receive a characteristic from one's parents by genetic transmission on the genes of the chromosome.

INSULIN

A substance that controls the body's use of glucose.

INVOLUTION OF THE UTERUS

A decrease in the size of the uterus to normal size following childbirth.

JAUNDICE

A yellow coloring of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by excessive bilirubin in the blood.

KETONES

A byproduct of the body metabolizing fat. An overabundance of ketones in the bloodstream can indicate a severe metabolic condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis.

Glossary Index

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