lochia

views updated Jun 27 2018

lochia (lok-iă) n. the material eliminated from the uterus through the vagina after the completion of labour. The first discharge consists largely of blood (l. rubra). This is followed by a brownish mixture of blood and mucus (l. serosa), and finally a yellowish or whitish discharge containing microorganisms and cell fragments (l. alba). Each stage may last for several days.
lochial adj.

lochia

views updated Jun 27 2018

lochia XVII. — medL. — Gr. lókhia, sb. use of n. pl. of lókhios pert. to childbirth, f. lókhos lying-in.