Kardinaalisliikkeinä

Kardinaalisliikkeinä, also known as "cardinal movements," refer to specific positional changes that occur during the mechanism of childbirth, particularly in the rotation and positioning of the fetal head and body as it descends through the birth canal. These movements are integral to a successful delivery and are typically observed during the second stage of labor.

The cardinal movements include a series of dynamic fetal positional adjustments: engagement, descent, flexion, internal rotation, extension, external rotation, and expulsion. Engagement occurs when the widest part of the fetal skull passes through the pelvic inlet. Descent involves the downward movement of the fetus through the birth canal. Flexion refers to the chin tucking toward the chest to facilitate a smaller presenting diameter. Internal rotation aligns the fetal head with the anteroposterior diameter of the pelvis. Extension occurs as the fetal head passes under the pubic symphysis, followed by external rotation to realign the head with the shoulders. Finally, the fetus is expelled from the birth canal.

These movements are governed by the shape and size of the maternal pelvis, as well as the fetus's position and position-related adaptations during labor. Understanding these processes is essential for obstetric assessment and management, particularly in cases of labor dystocia or abnormal presentations.

Overall, kardinaalisliikkeinä represent a complex, coordinated sequence of biomechanical adjustments that enable the fetus to navigate the maternal pelvis, facilitating a safe and efficient birth. Their study provides important insights into maternal-fetal biomechanics and clinical delivery techniques.