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A spinal tumor is a growth that develops within your spinal canal or within the bones of your spine. It may be cancerous or noncancerous. Tumors that affect the bones of the spine (vertebrae) are known as vertebral tumors. Tumors that begin within the spinal cord itself are called spinal cord tumors. There are two main types of tumors that may affect the spinal cord: Intramedullary tumors begin in the cells within the spinal cord itself, such as astrocytomas or ependymomas. Extramedullary tumors develop within the supporting network of cells around the spinal cord. Although they don't begin within the spinal cord itself, these types of tumors may affect spinal cord function by causing spinal cord compression and other problems. Examples of extramedullary tumors that can affect the spinal cord include schwannomas, meningiomas and neurofibromas.
Amniotomy is the official term for artificially breaking the bag of waters during labor. It is believed that breaking the bag of waters will help to speed up an otherwise slow labor. Amniotomy is part of the Active Management of Labor practiced in some hospitals. Amniotomy is performed by a midwife or doctor. A long, thin instrument with a hook on the end is inserted into the vagina and through the cervix so it can catch and rip the bag of waters. To perform an amniotomy, the cervix must be dilated enough to allow the instrument through the cervix, generally at least a two. Why choose Amniotomy? Unlike other medical methods of starting labor, amniotomy does not add synthetic hormones to your labor. Instead it seems to stimulate your body’s own labor process. Amniotomy allows the use of an internal electronic fetal monitor. How effective is Amniotomy? Amniotomy alone is unpredictable, it may take hours for labor to start with amniotomy. Because amniotomy increases the risk for infection, most caregivers use amniotomy in combination with synthetic oxytocin. Birth does happen faster when amniotomy is combined with synthetic oxytocin than when amniotomy is used alone. Risks of Amniotomy Risks for Mother Increases the risk for infection. This risk is increased with length of time the waters are broken and with vaginal exams. Because of the infection risk, a time limit is given by which the mother must give birth. As the time limit approaches attempts to progress labor will become more aggressive. The fore waters equalize pressure on the cervix so it will open uniformly. When they are broken, the mother increases her chances of having uneven dilation. Risks for Baby Increases the risk of umbilical cord compression. The fore waters equalize pressure on the baby’s head as it presses against the cervix. When they are broken, the pressure on the baby’s head may be uneven causing swelling in some parts.
What is systemic lupus erythematosus? The immune system normally fights off dangerous infections and bacteria to keep the body healthy. An autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system attacks the body because it confuses it for something foreign. There are many autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The term lupus has been used to identify a number of immune diseases that have similar clinical presentations and laboratory features, but SLE is the most common type of lupus. People are often referring to SLE when they say lupus.
In this animation it depicts an artery with cholesterol plaque (the yellowish area) which is blocking most of the inside of this artery. Then small cells called platelets become clumped together and cause the red blood cells to form a clot. This is what causes a HEART ATTACK.
Use warm water and sea salt. Soak the wart for 10 to 15 minutes in warm salt water to moisten the skin. Scrape the dead skin layers off the wart using a nail file, pumice stone or mild sandpaper. You could also use your fingers, but wash them thoroughly before and after, as warts can easily spread.
The pelvic floor or pelvic diaphragm is composed of muscle fibers of the levator ani, the coccygeus, and associated connective tissue which span the area underneath the pelvis. The pelvic diaphragm is a muscular partition formed by the levatores ani and coccygei, with which may be included the parietal pelvic fascia on their upper and lower aspects. The pelvic floor separates the pelvic cavity above from the perineal region (including perineum) below.
The right and left levator ani lie almost horizontally in the floor of the pelvis, separated by a narrow gap that transmits the urethra, vagina, and anal canal. The levator ani is usually considered in three parts: pubococcygeus, puborectalis, and iliococcygeus. The pubococcygeus, the main part of the levator, runs backward from the body of the pubis toward the coccyx and may be damaged during parturition. Some fibers are inserted into the prostate, urethra, and vagina. The right and left puborectalis unite behind the anorectal junction to form a muscular sling . Some regard them as a part of the sphincter ani externus. The iliococcygeus, the most posterior part of the levator ani, is often poorly developed.
The coccygeus, situated behind the levator ani and frequently tendinous as much as muscular, extends from the ischial spine to the lateral margin of the sacrum and coccyx.
The pelvic cavity of the true pelvis has the pelvic floor as its inferior border (and the pelvic brim as its superior border.) The perineum has the pelvic floor as its superior border.
Some sources do not consider “pelvic floor” and “pelvic diaphragm” to be identical, with the “diaphragm” consisting of only the levator ani and coccygeus, while the “floor” also includes the perineal membrane and deep perineal pouch. However, other sources include the fascia as part of the diaphragm. In practice, the two terms are often used interchangeably.
Inferiorly, the pelvic floor extends into the anal triangle.
An excellent video demonstrating how a laparoscopy is performed to evaluate the uterus (note a small fibroid appearing as a bulge in the uterus), fallopian tubes and ovaries. Blue dye is injected into the uterus, entering the fallopian tubes and spilling from the end of the tubes into the abdominal cavity, confirming that both tubes are open