| HOME Other Health Articles A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z labia: The covering or lips of the vulva. labor: The process of giving birth. lactation: The secreting of milk by the mammary glands of the breasts. laparoscope: Endoscopic device; in sterilization, used to locate the fallopian tubes; in in vitro fertilization, used to locate the ovary. laparoscopy: Abdominal exploration through the use of an endoscope called a laparoscope. laparotomy: A surgical procedure involving an incision through the abdominal wall; a common procedure in female sterilization in the past. lay midwife: Someone without formal nursing or other training who assists in childbirth. Usually not licensed. lesbian: A homosexual female. libido: The sexual drive, urge, or desire for pleasure or satisfaction; also a term used to denote sexual motivation. LMP: The first day of the last menstrual period. lumbar: Pertaining to the part of the back between the thorax (chest) and the pelvis. lumpectomy: Removal of a small breast tumor. lunar month: Four weeks (28 days). luteinizing hormone (LH): Pituitary hormone that stimulates the release of ovarian hormones and ova in the female or testicular hormones and sperm in the male; also called interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH) in the male. luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LHRF): A chemical factor secreted by the hypothalamus that stimulates the pituitary gland to produce luteinizing hormone. |