ferning

[fern´ing]

the appearance of a fernlike pattern in a dried specimen of cervical mucus, an indication of the presence of estrogen, usually seen at the midpoint of the menstrual cycle; it can be helpful in the determination of ovulation. The same phenomenon occurs with premature rupture of the fetal membranes.

fern·ing

(fĕrn'ing),

1. A term used to describe the pattern of arborization produced by cervical mucus, secreted at midcycle, on crystallization, when it somewhat resembles a fern or a palm leaf.

2. Synonym(s): filigree burn

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

A term for 2 microscopic patterns bearing a remarkably faithful similarity to its namesake, related to normal gynaecologic physiology, which indicate that ovulation has occurred
Cytology A palm leaf-like pattern seen in dried endocervical mucus, consisting of a branched heterogeneous network of crystallised glycoprotein, NaCl and KCl salts, which forms a parallel canalicular system facilitating sperm penetration; it is induced by oestrogen and seen from days 7-18, peaking on day 14 of the menstrual cycle
Endometrium Complex branching of endometrial glands, which is histologic evidence that ovulation has occurred; other parameters corroborating ovulation include subnucleolar vacuolization with palisading of the gland cells, stromal ‘decidualization’, glandular necrosis, vascular thrombosis, inflammation and aggregates of stromal cells

fern·ing

(fĕrn'ing)

Pattern of arborization produced by a thin film of cervical mucus, secreted at midcycle, on drying, which somewhat resembles a fern or a palm leaf.

References in periodicals archive ?

(2) They found more consistent ferning in samples dried on a slide for 10 minutes than samples dried over a flame (100% vs 86.7% of 112 samples).

Some contaminants in amniotic samples affect ferning

In vitro studies evaluated ferning in samples of amniotic fluid mixed with blood, meconium, or vaginal fluids.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that ferning is a confirmatory test for ruptured membranes, to be used along with pooling in the vaginal vault, and that premature membrane rupture is confirmed by fluid passing from the cervical canal.