C-Section Vocabulary Definition List

Caesarian section – Also called a C-section. The surgical incision of the walls of the abdomen and uterus for delivery of offspring

inpatient – A hospital patient who receives lodging and food as well as treatment

incision – A cut through skin or other tissue performed by a health care professional

abdomen – The part of the body between the chest and the hips that contains the chief digestive organs; also called the abdominal cavity

uterus – A hollow, pear-shaped organ that is located in a woman’s lower abdomen, between the bladder and the rectum. It is used for containing and nourishing the fetus during development and until birth

placenta – A temporary organ that joins the mother and fetus, it transfers oxygen and nutrients to and permits the release of carbon dioxide and waste products from the fetus

umbilical cord – The cord that connects the developing fetus with the placenta while the fetus is in the uterus

tourniquet – A device to check bleeding or blood flow

vein – One of the blood vessels that carry blood from the capillaries back to the heart

sterilize – To free of microscopic living things and especially germs (as bacteria)

angiocatheter – A hollow tube that allows for injection of contrast dye for imaging cardiac areas

spinal anesthesia – Anesthesia produced by injection of an anesthetic into the subarachnoid space of the spine

antiseptic solution – A solution which prevents the growth of germs and other microorganisms that cause disease or decay

local anesthetic – An anesthetic that causes loss of feeling in a limited part of the body

antimicrobial – Destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms and especially disease causing microorganisms

scalpel – A small straight thin-bladed knife used especially in surgery

retractor – Any of various surgical instruments for holding tissues away from the field of operation

forceps – An instrument for grasping or holding objects especially in delicate tasks