MOLAR PREGNANCIES Meaning and
Definition
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Molar pregnancies, also known as gestational trophoblastic diseases, are abnormal pregnancies that occur when fertilization takes place, but the resulting embryo develops abnormally. In a molar pregnancy, the fertilized egg does not develop into a normal fetus, and instead, an abnormal mass of cells forms inside the uterus. This mass may take the form of either complete molar pregnancies or partial molar pregnancies.
Complete molar pregnancies occur when the sperm fertilizes an egg that carries no genetic material from the mother. This results in the formation of a complete mole, where an abnormal mass of placental tissue grows rapidly but without developing a fetus. In contrast, partial molar pregnancies occur when the sperm fertilizes an egg that contains genetic material from both the mother and the father, but the resulting embryo develops abnormally. In partial moles, some fetal tissue may develop alongside abnormal placental tissue.
Molar pregnancies usually present with no identifiable symptoms in the early stages, but as the abnormal tissue grows, signs such as abnormal vaginal bleeding, severe nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and an abnormally enlarged uterus may appear. Although molar pregnancies are not true pregnancies, they may still produce positive results in pregnancy tests due to the presence of hormones produced by the abnormal placental tissue.
Molar pregnancies are relatively rare, occurring in about 1 in every 1,000 pregnancies. Treatment typically involves a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure to remove the abnormal tissue from the uterus. Following the procedure, close monitoring and regular follow-up are recommended to ensure the complete removal of the molar tissue and to detect any potential complications, such as the development of malignancies.
Common Misspellings for MOLAR PREGNANCIES
- nolar pregnancies
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- milar pregnancies
- mklar pregnancies
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- molzr pregnancies
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- molae pregnancies
- molad pregnancies
- molaf pregnancies
- molat pregnancies
Etymology of MOLAR PREGNANCIES
The word "molar" in "molar pregnancies" refers to a specific medical condition called a "hydatidiform mole" or simply "mole". The term "molar" comes from the Latin word "mola", meaning "millstone" or "grindstone". This name was chosen to describe the enlarged, grape-like clusters of cells found in the uterus during a molar pregnancy, which resemble the appearance of a mole.
In a molar pregnancy, the fertilized egg develops into an abnormal cluster of cells instead of a normal embryo. This mass can grow rapidly and cause complications. The term "molar pregnancy" reflects the resemblance to a mole in shape and appearance.
