1) The appearance in labour of some particular part of the child's body at the exit from the uterus (see PREGNANCY AND LABOUR). This is a cephalic (head) presentation in 96 per cent of cases, but in a certain number the breech (or buttocks), the face, foot or even a part of the trunk may present.

2) The term is also used for the manner in which an illness first comes to the attention of a doctor, that is the symptoms and signs with which a patient first attends.