|Examining the nuchal translucency of a fetus|
Today nuchal translucency was discussed in class when we were taking about access fluid being around the neck of a growing fetus. During an ultrasound, the thickness of the nuchal translucency is measured to determine if it is normal. All fetuses have some fluid, but an abnormal amount can indicate a genetic abnormality. Downs Syndrome is one of the most common.
For the visual learners:
|The left displays a normal level of thickness. Notice the small arrow|
on the right picture indicating the access fluid around a fetus' neck.