Ch 8 - Vocabulary

Adnexa of the Uterus

Fallopian tubes, ovaries, and supporting ligaments

Amnion

Innermost membranous sac surrounding the developing fetus

Areola

Dark-pigmented area surrounding the breast nipple

Bartholin Glands

Small, mucus-secreting exocrine glands at the vaginal orifice

Cervix

Lower, neck-like portion of the uterus

Chorion

Outermost layer of the two membranes surrounding the embryo

Clitoris

Sensitive erectile tissue anterior to the opening of the female urethra

Coitus

Sexual intercourse; copulation

Corpus Luteum

Empty ovarian follicle; secretes progesterone after release of egg cell; means “yellow body”

Cul-de-sac

Region in lower abdomen, midway between the rectum & the uterus

Embryo

Stage in prenatal development from 2 to 8 weeks

Endometrium

Inner, mucous membrane lining the uterus

Estrogen

Hormone produced by ovaries that promotes female secondary sex characteristics

Fallopian Tube

One of a pair of ducts through which the ovum travels to the uterus; oviduct

Fertilization

Union of sperm cell and ovum from which the embryo develops

Fetus

Stage in prenatal development from 8 to 39 or 40 weeks

Fimbriae (single; fimbria)

Finger or fringe like projections at the end of fallopian tubes

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Secreted by pituitary gland to stimulate maturation of the ovum

Gamete

Male or female sexual reproductive cell; sperm cell or ovum

Genitalia

Reproductive organs; also called genitals

Gestation

Period from fertilization of ovum to birth

Gonad

Female or male reproductive organ that produces sex cells and hormones; ovary or testis

Gynecology

Study of the female productive organs, including the breasts

Human Chorionic Gonadotropic (hCG)

Hormone produced by the placenta to sustain pregnancy by stimulating ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone

Hymen

Mucous membrane partially or completely covering the opening to the vagina

Labia

Lips of the vagina

Lactiferous Ducts

Tubes that carry milk within the breast

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Secreted by the pituitary gland to promote ovulation

Mammary Papilla

Nipple of the breast

Menarche

Beginning of the first menstrual period and ability to reproduce

Menopause

Gradual ending of menstruation

Menstruation

Monthly shedding of the uterine lining

Myometrium

Muscle layer of the uterus

Neonatology

Branch of medicine that studies the disorders and care of the newborn (neonate)

Obstetrics

Branch of medicine concerned with pregnancy and birth

Orifice

An opening

Ovarian Follicle

Developing sac enclosing each ovum within the ovary

Ovary

One of a pair of female organs on each side of the pelvis; almond shaped; produce egg cells and hormones

Ovulation

Release of the ovum from the ovary

Ovum (plural; ova)

Mature egg cell

Parturition

Act of giving birth

Perineum

Area between the anus and the vagina in females

Pituitary Gland

Endocrine gland at the base of the brain that produces hormones to stimulate the ovaries; also regulates other endocrine organs

Placenta

Vascular organ attached to uterine wall during pregnancy; allows exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and fetal waste products between mother and fetus

Pregnancy

Condition of having a developing embryo and fetus in female uterus for about 40 weeks

Progesterone

Hormone produced by corpus luteum in ovary and placenta of pregnant women

Puberty

Point in life cycle at which sex characteristics appear and gametes are produced

Perimetrium (Uterine Serosa)

Outermost layer surrounding the uterus

Uterus

Hollow, pear-shaped muscular female organ in which embryo and fetus develop. and from which menstruation occurs

Vagina

Muscular, mucosa-lined canal extending from the uterus to the exterior of the body

Vulva

External female genitalia; includes the labia, hymen, clitoris, and vaginal orifice

Zygote

The stage in prenatal development from fertilization and implantation to 2 weeks