Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

occurs on the big toe and may result

in inflammation and infection of the

surrounding tissues (see paronychia).

Foot-dropis the inability to raise the

foot properly when walking and is the

result of a nerve problem.

foot-dropA condition in which the foot

cannot be raised properly and hangs

limp from the ankle. Neuritis affecting

the nerves that supply muscles that

move the foot is a common cause and

may be due to diabetes mellitus, multiple

sclerosis, or a neuropathy. Weakness in

the foot muscles can also result from

pressure on a nerve (due to a disc pro-

lapseor a tumour) as it leaves the

spinal cord. Treatment is of the under-

lying cause, but in many people the

weakness persists. A lightweight plastic

caliper splintcan be used to keep the

foot in place when walking.

foramenA natural opening in a bone or

other body structure, usually to allow

the passage of nerves or blood vessels.

For example, the foramen magnum is a

hole in the base of the craniumthrough

which thespinal cordpasses.

forcepsA tweezer-like instrument used

for handling tissues or equipment dur-

ing surgical procedures. Various types

of forceps are designed for specific pur-

poses. (See also forceps, obstetric.)

forceps deliveryThe use of forceps

(see forceps, obstetric) to ease out the

baby’s head during a difficult birth (see

childbirth). Forceps delivery is used if

the mother is unable to push out her

baby unaided, or if the baby is showing

signs of fetal distress. Forceps are also

used to control the head once the body

has been delivered in breech deliveryto

prevent too rapid a birth.

An episiotomy(making of a cut in the

perineum) is usually needed for a for-

ceps delivery. Recovery and care for

mother and child is usually the same

as after a vaginal delivery.

forceps, obstetricSurgical instruments

that are used in forceps deliveryto

deliver the head of a baby in a difficult

labour. Obstetric forceps consist of 2

blades that can be locked together and

that cup the baby’s head.

foreign bodyAn object that is present

in an organ or passage of the body but

which should not be there. Common

sites for foreign bodies include the air-

ways (see choking), ear (see ear, foreign

body in), eye (see eye, foreign body in),

rectum, and vagina.

forensic medicineThe branch of med-

icine concerned with the law, especially

criminal law. The forensic pathologist is

a doctor who specializes in the exami-

nation of bodies when circumstances

suggest death was unnatural. Forensic

pathologists may also examine victims

of alleged sexual assault. Forensic sci-

entists use laboratory methods to study

body fluids (such as blood and semen)

found on or near the victim and com-

pare them with those from suspects.

They are also trained in ballistics and

the identification of fibres from cloth-

ing. In addition, forensic scientists may

advise on blood groupsand genetic

fingerprintingin legal investigations.

foreskinThe popular name for the pre-

puce, the loose fold of skin that covers

the glans of the peniswhen it is flaccid

and which retracts during erection. At

birth, the foreskin is attached to the glans

and is not retractable. It then separates

over the first 3 to 4 years of life. The

foreskin may be removed (see circumci-

sion) for religious or medical reasons.

In phimosis, the foreskin remains per-

sistently tight after the age of 5, causing

difficulty in passing urine and balloon-

ing of the foreskin. There may also be

recurrent balanitis(infection of the glans).

FOOT-DROP FORESKIN

F

Forceps Umbilical Uterus

cord

Fetus

FORCEPS DELIVERY