| laboratory personnel | Those health care professionals, technicians, and assistants staffing a research or health care facility where specimens are grown, tested, or evaluated and the results of such measures are recorded. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| laboratory techniques and procedures | Methods, procedures, and tests performed in the laboratory with an intended application to the diagnosis of disease or understanding of physiological functioning. The techniques include examination of microbiological, cytological, chemical, and biochemical specimens, normal and pathological. (12 Dec 1998) |
| labour | <obstetrics> The act of giving birth to a baby. There are four stages: The first stage lasts from the onset of labour until there is full dilation (10 cm.) of the cervical os (opening). The first stage of labour is also called the stage of dilatation. The second stage lasts from the full dilatation of the cervix until the baby is completely out of the birth canal and has been born. The second stage of labour is also called the stage of expulsion. The third stage lasts from birth of the foetus through expulsion or extraction of the placenta and membranes (afterbirth). The third stage of labour is also called the placental stage. The fourth stage is the hour or two after delivery when the tone of the uterus is established and the uterus contracts down again. (08 Mar 2000) |
| labour complications | <obstetrics> Medical problems associated with labour including cephalopelvic disproportion, haemorrhage, foetal distress, or other disorders. (12 Dec 1998) |
| labour onset | <obstetrics> The establishment of regular uterine contractions together with beginning dilatation of the cervix. (12 Dec 1998) |
| labour pains | <obstetrics> Rhythmical uterine contractions which under normal conditions increase in intensity, frequency, and duration, culminating in vaginal delivery of the infant. Synonym: parodynia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| labour presentation | The part of the foetal body that is in advance in the birth canal. (12 Dec 1998) |
| labour, premature | Onset of labour before term but after the foetus has become viable, usually sometime during the 29th through 38th week of gestation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| laboured respiration | <chest medicine> Difficult, usually deep, breathing in patients with cardiac or pulmonary disease or disease affecting nervous system control of ventilation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| labra | Plural of labrum. Origin: L. (05 Mar 2000) |
| labrador | A region of British America on the Atlantic coast, north of Newfoundland. <zoology> Labrador duck, a sea duck (Camtolaimus Labradorius) allied to the eider ducks. It was formerly common on the coast of new England, but is now supposed to be extinct, no specimens having been reported since 1878. Labrador feldspar. See Labradorite. <botany> Labrador tea, a name of two low, evergreen shrubs of the genus Ledum (L. Palustre and L. Latifolium), found in Northern Europe and America. They are used as tea in British America, and in Scandinavia as a substitute for hops. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| Labrador keratopathy | A bilateral, symmetrical corneal dystrophy caused by prolonged exposure to extremes of heat or cold; nodular opacities are limited to the interpalpebral area and vision is only mildly affected. Synonym: Labrador keratopathy. (05 Mar 2000) |
| labradorite | <chemical> A kind of feldspar commonly showing a beautiful play of colours, and hence much used for ornamental purposes. The finest specimens come from Labrador. See Feldspar. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| labrale inferius | <anatomy> A point where the boundary of the vermilion border of the lower lip and the skin is intersected by the median plane. (05 Mar 2000) |
| labrale superius | <anatomy> The point on the upper lip lying in the median sagittal plane on a line drawn across the boundary of the vermilion border and skin. (05 Mar 2000) |