L Terms

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Leg cramps
Muscle cramps of the legs, often associated with pregnancy. This is a common problem during pregnancy, usually occurring toward the last ... Read More
Leiomyoma
Medical term for the benign fibroid tumors (fibroids) that often develop in the uterine muscle of women. Fibroids occur in 1-2% of pregnant ... Read More
Let down reflex
An involuntary reflex during breastfeeding which causes the milk to flow freely.
Leukorrhea
A white, yellowish, or greenish white viscid discharge from the vagina resulting from inflammation or congestion of the uterine or vaginal ... Read More
Level II
NICU that takes care of moderately ill or recuperating infants who are over their acute phase of illness. Babies treated in a Level III NICU are ... Read More
Level III
NICU that has the ability to care for the most complex and severely ill babies. NICUs are categorized into Level I (normal newborn infants ... Read More
Libido
Sexual drive; typically refers to the desire to have sex.
Licensure
The obtaining and possessing of a license. States regulate medical and other health care professionals through licensure. To be licensed ... Read More
Ligation
Surgical closure of a vessel so that nothing can pass through it. Surgical ligation is sometimes used to correct patent ductus arteriosus. ... Read More
Lightening
Also called dropping because the abdomen changes shape as the baby appears to drop several inches. This occurs when the head of the baby drops ... Read More
Linea nigra
Linea nigra (Latin for "black line") refers to the dark vertical line that appears on the abdomen during pregnancy. The brown-colored streak ... Read More
Listeria
Listeriosis is a foodborne illness caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, which are found in water, soil, and a variety of raw and ... Read More
Lithium
A mineral salt used to treat manic depression. Lithium is very effective in treating some forms of depression. However, it has been ... Read More
Live/Active vaccines
Vaccines prepared from living attenuated organisms or from viruses that have been attenuated but can still replicate the cells of the host ... Read More
Lochia
Fluid that seeps from the uterus and ultimately from the vagina during the weeks following childbirth.
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