In
medicine
Medicine is the science and practice of caring for a patient, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment, palliation of their injury or disease, and promoting their health. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care pr ...
, Goodell's sign is an indication of
pregnancy
Pregnancy is the time during which one or more offspring develops ( gestates) inside a woman's uterus (womb). A multiple pregnancy involves more than one offspring, such as with twins.
Pregnancy usually occurs by sexual intercourse, but ...
. It is a significant softening of the
vagina
In mammals, the vagina is the elastic, muscular part of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vestibule to the cervix. The outer vaginal opening is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen ...
l portion of the
cervix
The cervix or cervix uteri (Latin, 'neck of the uterus') is the lower part of the uterus (womb) in the human female reproductive system. The cervix is usually 2 to 3 cm long (~1 inch) and roughly cylindrical in shape, which changes during ...
from increased vascularization. This vascularization is a result of hypertrophy and engorgement of the vessels below the growing uterus. This sign occurs at approximately six weeks' gestation.
The sign is named after
William Goodell (gynecologist)
William Goodell (October 17, 1829 – October 27, 1894) was an eminent American gynecologist from Philadelphia, best remembered for first describing what is now referred to as Goodell's sign.
Biography
William Goodell was born in Malta, th ...
(1829-1874).
See also
*
Chadwick's sign
*
Hegar's sign Hegar's sign is a non-sensitive indication of pregnancy in women—its absence does not exclude pregnancy. It pertains to the features of the cervix and the uterine isthmus. It is demonstrated as a softening in the consistency of the uterus, and th ...
*
Ladin's sign Ladin's sign is a clinical sign of pregnancy in which there is softening in the midline of the uterus anteriorly at the junction of the uterus and cervix. It occurs and is detectable with a manual examination at about 6 weeks' gestation. Ladin's sig ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Goodell's Sign
Medical signs
Obstetrics
Midwifery