Ch. 8 - Female reproductive system

abortion

premature ending of pregnancy before the embryo or fetus is able to exist on its own

abruptio placentae

premature detachment of the placenta from its place in the uterine wall

adnexa uteri

accessory structures associated with the uterus; fallopian tubes and ovaries

amenorrhea

absence of menstrual flow

amniocentesis

surgical puncture with a needle to withdraw fluid from within the amniotic sac

amnion

innermost membranous sac surrounding the developing fetus

amniotic fluid

fluid contained within the amniotic sac surrounding the fetus

anovulatory

not accompanied by ovulation

Apgar score

system of scoring an infant’s physical condition at 1 and 5 minutes after birth

areola

dark, pigmented area surrounding the breast nipple

aspiration

withdrawal of fluid from a cavity or sac with an instrument using suction

Bartholin glands

two small mucus-secreting glands near the opening of the vagina to the outside of the body

bartholinitis

inflammation of the Bartholin glands

carcinoma in situ

localized cancer, confined to its site of origin

carcinoma of the breast

malignant tumor of breast tissue; breast cancer

carcinoma of the cervix

malignant cells within the cervix

carcinoma of the endometrium

malignant tumor of the uterus

cauterization

destruction of tissue by burning

cephalic version

procedure for turning the fetus so that its head is the presenting part to enter the birth canal first

cervical dysplasia

abnormal cells in the cervix

cervicitis

inflammation of the cervix

cervix

necklike, lower portion of the uterus

cesarean section

surgical incision of the abdominal wall and uterus to deliver a fetus

chorion

outermost membrane surrounding the developing fetus. it forms the fetal part of the placenta

chorionic

pertaining to the chorion

chorionic villus sampling

sampling of placental tissues for prenatal diagnosis

clitoris

sensitive erectile tissue, outside the body in front of the opening of the female urethra

coitus

sexual intercourse

colposcopy

visual examination of the vagina using an endoscope

conization

removal of a cone-headed section of the cervix

corpus luteum

yellow glandular mass (corpus) formed by an ovarian follicle that has matured and discharged its ovum. it secretes progesterone to maintain pregancy.

cryocauterization

use of freezing cold temperature to burn and destroy tissue

cul-de-sac

region in the lower abdomen between the uterus and the rectum

culdocentesis

surgical puncture of the cul-de-sac to remove fluid for analysis and diagnosis of disease

cystadenocarcinoma

malignant tumor containing fluid-filled sacs and glandular tissue; commonly occurring in the ovaries

cystadenoma

benign tumor of cystic and glandular components, commonly found in the ovaries

dermoid cyst

ovarian cyst lined with a variety of cell types

dilation

widening and enlargement of a hollow organ

dilation and curettage

widening of the cervix and scraping the endometrial lining of the uterus

dysmenorrhea

painful, difficult menses

dyspareunia

painful sexual intercourse

dystocia

difficult childbirth

ectopic pregnancy

pregnancy that is not in the normal location; a fallopian tube is the most common site

embryo

stage in prenatal development from two to six weeks

endocervicitis

inflammation of the inner lining of the cervix

endometriosis

emdometrial tissue located outside the uterus

endometritis

inflammation of the inner lining of the uterus

endometrium

inner, mucous membrane lining of the uterus

episiotomy

incision of the vulva to widen the opening of the vagina during a difficult childbirth

erythroblastosis fetalis

hemolytic disease of the newborn caused by a blood group incompatibility (Rh factor) between the mother and fetus

estrogen

female hormone that promotes secondary sex characteristics and supports reproductive tissues

exenteration

wide resection involving removal of the tumor, its organ of origin, and all surrounding tissue in the body space

fallopian tube

one of a pair of ducts through which the ovum travels to the uterus (oviducts or uterine tubes)

fertilization

union of the egg (ovum) and sperm cell

fetal monitoring

continuous recording of fetal heart rate and uterine contractions during labor

fetal presentation

manner in which the fetus enters the birth canal

fetus

stage in prenatal development from 6 to 39 or 40 weeks

fibrocystic breast disease

presence of small sacs of fibrous connective tissue and fluid in the breast

fibroids

benign tumors of fibrous and muscular tissue in the uterus; leiomyomas

fimbriae

finger or fringe-like ends of the fallopian tubes

follicle-stimulating hormone

secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate maturation of the egg cell

galactorrhea

excessive or abnormal secretion of milk after breast-feeding has ended

gamete

reproductive cell

genitalia

reproductive organs

gestation

nine-month period during which a fertilized egg cell develops into an infant; pregnancy

gonad

female or male reproductive organ that produces sex cells and hormones

gynecology

study of the diseases of women, particularly those affecting the female reproductive system

gynecomastia

female-like breast enlargement in a male

human chorionic gonadotropin

secreted by the placenta to sustain pregnancy

hyaline membrane disease

acute lung disease in premature infants; respiratory distress disease syndrome of the newborn

hydrocephalus

abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain

hymen

mucous membrane partially or completely covering the opening to the vagina

hysterectomy

removal of the uterus

hysterosalpingography

x-ray recording of the uterus and fallopian tubes after injection of contrast material

hysteroscopy

visual examination of the uterus

in vitro fertilization

egg and sperm cells are combined outside the body in a laboratory dish to facilitate fertilization. fetilized ova are then implanted into the uterus through the cervix

intrauterine device

device inserted by a physician into the uterus to prevent pregnancy

involution

shrinking of the uterus to its normal size after childbirth

labia

lips of the vagina

lactation

production of milk

lactiferous ducts

tubes that carry milk throughout the breast

lactogenesis

production of milk

laparoscopy

process of visually examining the contents of the abdomen

leiomyomas

benign tumors of the uterus; fibroids

leukorrhea

white to yellow discharge from the vagina

lumen

cavity or channel with a tube or tubular organ, as a blood vessel, vagina, or fallopian tube

luteinizing hormone

secreted by the pituitary gland to promote ovulation

mammary papilla

nipple of the breast

mammography

x-ray recording of the breast

mammoplasty

surgical repair of the breast (augmentation or reduction surgery)

mastectomy

removal of a breast

mastitis

inflammation of a breast

meconium aspiration syndrome

abnormal inhalation of meconium (first stools) by a fetus or newborn

menarche

beginning of the first menstrual period

menometrorrhagia

excessive uterine bleeding during menstruation and also between menstrual periods

menopause

gradual ending of menstruation

menorrhagia

abnormally heavy or long menstrual periods

menorrhea

menstruation; monthly discharge of blood from the lining of the uterus

menstruation

monthly shedding of the lining of the uterus; menses

metrorrhagia

bleeding between menstrual periods