Pia mater Health Dictionary

The branch of medical study which deals with the sources, preparations and uses of drugs. (See MEDICINES.)... materia medica

The outermost and strongest of the three membranes or meninges which envelop the brain and spinal cord. In it run vessels which nourish the inner surface of the skull. (See BRAIN.)... dura mater

The middle of the 3 layers of membrane (meninges) that cover the brain.... arachnoid mater

The death of a woman during pregnancy, or within 42 days of childbirth, miscarriage, or an induced abortion, from any pregnancyrelated cause. Maternal mortality rate describes the number of such deaths per year per set number of pregnancies.

Maternal deaths may occur as a direct result of complications of pregnancy, or indirectly due to a medical condition worsened by pregnancy. Major direct causes include pulmonary embolism, antepartum haemorrhage, postpartum haemorrhage, hypertension, eclampsia, and puerperal sepsis. Indirect causes include heart disease, epilepsy, and some cancers.

Maternal mortality is lowest for 2nd pregnancies. It rises with age, being greatest for women over 40.... maternal mortality

deaths of women while pregnant or within 42 days of the end of the pregnancy from any cause related to, or aggravated by, the pregnancy or its management, but not from accidental or incidental causes. These deaths can be subdivided into four main categories: (1) direct deaths: directly related to pregnancy; (2) indirect deaths: due to pre-existing maternal disease aggravated by pregnancy; (3) coincidental: unrelated to pregnancy; (4) late deaths: occurring between six weeks and one year following delivery. See also maternal mortality rate.... maternal death

the number of deaths due to complications of pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium per 100,000 live births (see also stillbirth). In 1952 concern about maternal mortality resulted in Britain in the setting up of a triennial *confidential enquiry into every such death to identify any shortfall in resources or care. The first triennial report was published in 1985. Since 2014 reports have been produced annually by MBRRACE-UK (Mothers and Babies: Reducing Risk through Audits and Confidential Enquiries Across the UK). Levels of *maternal deaths are currently low: a report published in 2017 (covering 2013–15) counted 202 obstetric-related deaths (8.76 per 100,000 live births). Thromboembolism was the commonest direct cause of death (30 deaths, 1.13 per 100,000 live births), while heart disease was the commonest indirect cause of death (54 deaths, 2.34 per 100,000 live births).... maternal mortality rate

a material exhibiting both viscous and elastic properties. It is used in ophthalmic surgery to help maintain the shape of ocular tissues as well as lubricate and minimize trauma. It is commonly used in intraocular surgery, such as cataract surgery. Viscoelastic materials are also used in dentistry for impression and filling materials.... viscoelastic material