Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
EFFACE - 2 reference results
Effacement
Effacement is the shortening, or thinning, of the cervix before or during early labour. Prior to effacement, the cervix is like a long bottleneck, usually about four centimeters in length. Throughout pregnancy, the cervix is tightly closed and protected by a plug of mucus. When the cervix effaces, the mucus plug is loosened and passes out of the vagina. The mucus may be tinged with blood and the passage of the mucus plug is called bloody show (or simply "show").

As effacement takes place, the cervix then shortens, or effaces, pulling up into the uterus and becoming part of the lower uterine wall. Effacement may be measured in percentages, from zero percent (not effaced at all) to 100 percent, which indicates a paper-thin cervix. Effacement is followed by cervical dilation.

External links

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia © 2001-2006 Wikipedia contributors (Disclaimer)
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Last updated on Sunday July 27, 2008 at 06:08:51 PDT (GMT -0700)
View this article at Wikipedia.org - Edit this article at Wikipedia.org - Donate to the Wikimedia Foundation

efface
Sep 05, 2008; efface • verb   1. efface the graffiti/memory synonyms : remove, rub out, blot out, wipe out, blank out, obliterate,...
Read more with a free trial on HighBeam.com »
Jsalem. Un soldat israen efface les slogans nationalistes palestiniens. (PAR1680)
Jan 01, 1991; Abbas Magnum Photos 01-01-1991 J?salem. Un soldat isra?en efface les slogans nationalistes palestiniens. Keywords: indigenous...
Read more with a free trial on HighBeam.com »
Obituary: Janet Frame; Writer who fought to efface the stigma of madness.(Obituaries)
Jan 30, 2004; Byline: Fleur Adcock I met Janet Frame only three times but I feel privileged and still slightly surprised to have met her at...
Read more with a free trial on HighBeam.com »
The veil of history Beirut is rising from the ruins of its recent devastation - a shining new city built to efface appalling memories. Yet the violence - and miracles - that define modern Lebanon are indivisible from those of a long and turbulent past
Sep 04, 1999; Did I see a woman burning to death outside the Myrtom House restaurant? I know I did, back in 1983; a woman trapped in her...
Read more with a free trial on HighBeam.com »
erase
Jan 01, 1988; Webster's NewWorld Dictionary 01-01-1988 e|rase (e ras, i-) vt. e|rased, e|ras'ing 1. to rub, scrape, or wipe out (esp. written...
Read more with a free trial on HighBeam.com »
HighBeam Research, Inc. © Copyright 2009.

Search another word or see EFFACE on Dictionary | Thesaurus