Medical Glossary: V

Vaccine

A suspension of attenuated or dead microorganisms administered either by injection into the skin or muscle tissue or orally which is used to promote active immunity to infectious disease. Vaccines may be used singly or in combinations.

Vacuum Extractor

A device that is used to aid in delivery by means of a vacuum to gain traction on the head of the fetus.

Vagina

The part of the female genitalia that forms a canal from the orifice to the uterine cervix. It is located behind the bladder and in front of the rectum.

Vaginal Discharge

A discharge from the vagina, normally white in color. It takes place regularly and in varying amounts during the course of the menstrual cycle.

During pregnancy, and greater amount is expected, and will diminish after delivery, during lactation and after menopause.

A green or yellow discharge may indicate vaginal or uterine infection, or other pathology of gynecologic origin. Often called leukorrhea, it is the most common reason for women to seek gynecologic care.

Varicose Veins

Dilated blood vessels with incompetent valves. Causes include congenitally defective valves, thrombophlebitis, pregnancy and obesity.

Vascular Spiders

A form of telangiectasis, the swelling of small blood vessels are commonly associated with elevated estrogen levels. Also called telangiectasias or spider angiomas.

VBAC

Abbreviation of Vaginal Birth After Cesarean.

VE

Symbol for Volume Expired in one minute.

Vena Cava

A large vein that carries unoxygenated blood into the right atrium of the heart for transport to the lungs.

Venereal Disease

Any contagious condition that is acquired through sexual intercourse or genital contact. Diseases include chancroid, gonorrhea, granuloma inguinale, herpes genitalis, lymphogranuloma venereum, syphilis. Also called sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Venereal Wart

A soft wartlike viral growth which is common on the warm, moist skin of the genitalia. It is transmitted by sexual contact. Also called condylomatum acuminatum.

Vernix Caseosa

A gray-white waxy substance consisting of sebaceous gland secretions, lanugo and epithelial cells that covers the fetus during the last part of the pregnancy. It is thought to protect the skin of the baby from being submerged in the amniotic fluid as well as providing warmth and heat regulation to the undeveloped fetus.

Vertex Presentation

An obstetrical term used to describe the postion of the baby in the uterus prior to labor when the vertex or top of the fetus is closest to the cervical os and expected to be born first. Abbreviated to VX.

Vulva

The external genitalia, consisting in women of the mons veneris, the labia majora, the labia minora, the vestibule of the vagina, the urinary meatus and the vestibular glands. In men it consists of the penis, scrotum and the testes.

VX

Abbreviation of vertex presentation, an obstetrical term used to describe the postion of the baby in the uterus prior to labor when the vertex or top of the fetus is closest to the cervical os and expected to be born first.

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