Ergot (Claviceps purpurea) is a fungoid parasite found on several cereals, principally rye. The seed is replaced by a dense homogeneous tissue largely charged with an oily fluid. In its perfect state this germinates and produces the Claviceps. When eaten it causes the disease of ergotism (formerly known as St Anthony's Fire) which can be fatal. It is widely used in medicine as it contains more than a dozen potent alkaloids and was used in obstetric practice to promote the contraction of the uterus. Research Ergot
Primate is the family of mammals that includes humans, apes, monkeys, lemurs bushbabies, lorises and tarsiers. Primates have complete, but unspecialised dentition. A large and complex brain. The eyes are well developed and directed forwards, with the orbit being closed behind by the union of the frontal and jugal bones. They are generally arboreal animals, with a single chamber uterus producing few offspring which require parental care for a long time after birth. Research Primate
William Hunter was a Scottish physician and anatomist. He was born in 1718 at Long Calderwood, Lanarkshire and died in 1783. He studied at Glasgow with a view to entering the church, but abandoned theology for medicine. In 1741 he went to London, where he became a member of the College of Surgeons; acquired a large practice in surgery and midwifery; was appointed accoucheur to the British Lying-in Hospital, and in 1764 physician-extraordinary to the queen; in 1767 a fellow of the Royal Society; in 1780 foreign associate of the Royal Medical Society at Paris, etc.
In 1770 he established a theatre of anatomy for his own lectures and a splendid museum for his anatomical preparations, objects of natural history, pictures of ancient coins and medals, etc. He was the author of some important works, in particular the Anatomy of the Human Gravid Uterus, published in 1774. On his death he bequeathed the whole of his splendid museum, valued at 150,000 pounds sterling, to the University of Glasgow, with the sum of 8000 pounds sterling in cash to be expended in a building for its reception, and a further sum of 500 pounds sterling per annum to bear the charges of its preservation. Research William Hunter
Amniocentesis is a medical procedure sometimes performed during pregnancy to help determine the health and maturity of an unborn baby. It involves the withdrawal and study of a small amount of the amniotic fluid that surrounds the foetus in the mother's uterus. Laboratory tests on the fluid, which contains cells shed by the foetus, enable detection of many serious disorders that may affect the foetus. Such disorders include Down's syndrome and spina bifida. Amniocentesis involves little risk to either the mother or the foetus.
Amniocentesis is mostly performed around the 16th week of pregnancy on 'at risk' mothers. These include those more than 35 years of age and those with genetic disorders in the family. If tests reveal serious abnormality, likely to cause death or pronounced handicap, the parents may choose to end the pregnancy. Otherwise, doctors can plan ahead for early treatment, either in the womb or at birth. If there is some medical reason for delivering a baby before it is due to be born, amniocentesis may be performed later in pregnancy. In this case, tests show whether the baby is likely to survive outside the womb. An obstetrician performs amniocentesis with the aid of ultrasound which enables the obstetrician to monitor the position of the foetus while inserting a long hollow needle through the mother's abdominal wall and into the uterus. The obstetrician then withdraws a small amount of amniotic fluid, which is sent away for testing. Research Amniocentesis
The appendix is sometimes referred to as the 'abdominal tonsil' because it is composed largely of lymphoid tissue and is very susceptible to infection. It varies greatly in size, the average length being 75 mm. Normally it is a hollow tube lined with mucousmembrane, with a muscle wall similar to that of the caecum with which it communicates. Its tip may hang down over the brim of the pelvis to make contact with the bladder, the rectum, or in the female with the ovary, uterine tube or uterus. It may on the other hand, turn upwards behind the caecum pointing out towards the groin-the retro-caecal position. It may lie on the front of the caecum immediately under the anterior abdominal wall. Research Appendix
The cervix uteri (cervix) is the neck of the womb. It is the part of the uterus that projects into the upper part of the vagina. It is a powerful ring of muscle which is closed at most times but is able to dilate widely during childbirth. Research Cervix uteri
In medicine, the term ectopic describes an abnormalanatomical situation. The most common use in in an eptopic pregnancy, which is frequently where a fertilised ovum settles in the Fallopian tube instead of passing on through and implanting itself in the lining of the uterus. In such cases the pregnancy usually doesn't last more than two or three months before the ovum dies and is reabsorbed into the body. Sometimes in such cases the Fallopian tube bursts and bleeds and then an immediate operation is required to repair the damage. It has been known for an infant to develop in the Fallopian tube and to be successfully delivered by way of a Caesarean section. Research Ectopic
The external os is a small, circular opening of the cervix where it projects into the vagina. It is distinguished from the internal os, which is the internal opening from the lower part of the uterus into the cervix. Research External Os
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Abortion
