FAU Advanced Health Assessment Practice Test

What is the term for the brownish line that appears down the abdomen during pregnancy?

1. Linea alba

2. Linea nigra

3. Striae gravidarum

4. Fundal height

The correct answer is: Linea nigra

The brownish line that appears down the abdomen during pregnancy is known as the linea nigra. This phenomenon occurs due to increased levels of hormones, particularly melanocyte-stimulating hormone, which causes hyperpigmentation of the skin. The linea nigra typically runs from the pubic area up to the belly button and may continue to the ribcage in some women. It is a common and normal occurrence during pregnancy and usually fades after childbirth. On the other hand, the linea alba refers to a fibrous structure that divides the left and right rectus abdominis muscles and is not typically pigmented. Striae gravidarum, commonly known as stretch marks, are also associated with changes during pregnancy but involve skin stretching rather than pigmentation. Fundal height indicates the measurement of the uterus as it grows during pregnancy and is unrelated to the pigmentation of the skin. Each of these terms represents different aspects of the changes that occur in a woman's body during pregnancy.