Pregnancy Diagnostics Glossary
100 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
PROM PROM
Premature rupture of membranes occurring before the onset of labor, requiring assessment of gestational age and infection risk.
AFP
Alpha-fetoprotein; fetal protein measured in maternal blood or amniotic fluid screening.
amniocentesis
Prenatal diagnostic procedure involving needle aspiration of amniotic fluid for genetic testing.
aneuploidy
Abnormal number of chromosomes, either missing or extra chromosomes.
anomaly scan
A detailed ultrasound examination performed between 18-22 weeks of pregnancy to detect structural abnormalities in the d...
beta-hCG
Beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone measured in pregnancy testing and prenatal screening.
biophysical profile
Comprehensive fetal assessment combining ultrasound parameters and heart rate monitoring to evaluate fetal well-being.
Bishop score
Standardized scoring system used to assess cervical readiness for labor induction.
BPP
Biophysical profile, a prenatal test assessing fetal well-being through ultrasound evaluation and fetal heart rate monit...
breech presentation
Fetal position where the buttocks or feet present first at delivery instead of the head.
Cerebral ventriculomegaly
Abnormal enlargement of the fetal brain ventricles that may indicate neurological abnormalities.
Cerebroplacental ratio
Doppler measurement comparing fetal brain and placental blood flow to assess fetal adaptation to hypoxia.
cervical cerclage
Surgical procedure involving suture placement around the cervix to prevent preterm delivery in cases of cervical incompe...
cervical funneling
Ultrasound finding showing widening of the internal cervical os, indicating cervical incompetence or shortening.
cervical length
Sonographic measurement of cervical dimensions used to assess preterm birth risk during pregnancy.
cfDNA
Cell-free DNA, fragments of fetal DNA circulating in maternal blood used for non-invasive prenatal screening.
Chorangioma
Benign vascular tumor of the placenta that can affect fetal circulation and growth.
chorionic villus sampling
Invasive diagnostic procedure involving biopsy of placental tissue to detect fetal genetic abnormalities, typically perf...
chorionicity
The determination of placental arrangement in multiple pregnancies, crucial for risk stratification and management plann...
cordocentesis
Prenatal diagnostic procedure involving needle sampling of fetal blood from umbilical cord.
CRL
Crown-rump length, ultrasound measurement from fetal head to buttocks used for gestational age dating in early pregnancy...
Crown-rump length
Measurement from the top of the fetal head to the bottom of the torso, used for gestational age assessment in first trim...
CVS
Chorionic villus sampling; early prenatal diagnostic test performed between 10-13 weeks.
Dichorionic diamniotic
Type of twin pregnancy where each fetus has separate placenta and amniotic sac, carrying lowest risk of complications.
Dichorionic twins
Twin pregnancy where each fetus has its own separate placenta and chorion.