Birth Injury Glossary - V
Understanding Birth Injury Terms and Definitions
The material contained in medical records and research materials usually contains words that are unfamiliar and new. The Cerebral Palsy Glossary contains definitions of terms and acronyms that are commonly associated with cerebral palsy.
- A vaginal birth taking place after a woman’s already had a C-section. Though rare, there is a risk that a previous C-section scar could come open during labor. VBACs are only offered by hospitals that can do a rapid emergency C-section
- Removal of the contents of the uterus by application of a vacuum extractor. Used in both abortions, and deliveries of viable fetuses.
Vaginal Vestibule
- The space between the labia minora containing the openings of the vagina and urethra.
Vein
- A tubular vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart. All veins except the pulmonary vein carry dark blood (due to reduced levels of hemoglobin).
Vena Cava
- One of two large veins that drains directly into the heart after gathering incoming blood from the entire body. The inferior vena cava is the largest vein in the human body, and returns blood to the right atrium of the heart from body parts below the diaphragm. The superior vena cava is the second-largest vein in the human body, and returns blood to the right atrium of the heart from the upper half of the body.
Ventricle
- A small cavity or chamber in the brain or heart.
Vertex Presentation
- Normal obstetric presentation, in which the “presenting” body part of the fetus is the top of the head.
Vestibule
- A space or cavity at the entrance to a canal. See also Vaginal Vestibule.
Viremia
- The presence of viruses in the blood.