tokodynamometer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / TechnicalMedical / Obstetric / Formal
Quick answer
What does “tokodynamometer” mean?
A medical instrument for measuring the force of uterine contractions during labour.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical instrument for measuring the force of uterine contractions during labour.
A specialized device used in obstetrics to quantify the intensity and frequency of uterine muscle activity, typically employing external transducers placed on the abdomen.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally rare in both medical communities.
Connotations
Purely technical with no cultural connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency; known primarily by obstetricians, midwives, and perinatal nurses.
Grammar
How to Use “tokodynamometer” in a Sentence
The midwife attached the ~.The ~ recorded regular contractions.Readings from the ~ indicated...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tokodynamometer” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The tokodynamometric readings were reassuring.
- They used a tokodynamometric belt.
American English
- The tokodynamometric data was recorded.
- A tokodynamometric assessment was performed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Found in medical textbooks and obstetrics research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in clinical notes, perinatal medicine, and medical device manuals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tokodynamometer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tokodynamometer”
- Misspelling as 'tocodynamometer' (acceptable variant) or 'tokodynamometre'.
- Confusing it with a fetal heart rate monitor.
- Incorrect plural: 'tokodynamometers' (correct) not 'tokodynamometeres'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'tocometer' is a common shorter synonym used in clinical practice.
No, it measures existing contraction activity; it is not a predictive tool.
No, it is typically used in situations requiring close monitoring, such as induced labours or high-risk pregnancies.
An external device uses a belt-mounted transducer on the abdomen. An internal one involves a catheter placed inside the uterus, offering more precise measurement.
A medical instrument for measuring the force of uterine contractions during labour.
Tokodynamometer is usually medical / obstetric / formal in register.
Tokodynamometer: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtəʊ.kəʊˌdaɪ.nəˈmɒm.ɪ.tə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtoʊ.koʊˌdaɪ.nəˈmɑː.mə.t̬ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TOKO' sounds like 'toco-' (related to childbirth), 'DYNAMO' suggests force/power, 'METER' means measure. It measures the power of childbirth contractions.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A MACHINE (the uterus is a muscular pump whose output can be quantified).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a tokodynamometer?