Reproductive Systems Pathology Review

Flashcards covering the pathology of the reproductive systems.

Andrologist

A doctor focusing on the treatment of conditions affecting male fertility and sexuality.

Urologist

A physician who specializes in diagnosing/treating diseases/disorders of the genitourinary system of males and the urinary system of females.

Gynecologist

A physician who specializes in diagnosing/treating diseases/disorders of the female reproductive system.

Obstetrician (OB)

A physician who specializes in providing medical care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the immediate postpartum period.

Certified Midwife (CM)

Assists in labor and delivery; a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) is an RN with specialized training in obstetrics and gynecology who provides primary care in normal pregnancies and deliveries.

Doula

An experienced birth coach, usually without formal obstetric training, hired to provide added support and guidance during labor, delivery, and the postpartum period.

Neonatologist

Physician who specializes in diagnosing/treating disorders of newborns.

Infertility Specialist

Also known as a reproductive endocrinologist; helps infertile couples by diagnosing/treating problems associated with conception and maintaining pregnancy.

Balanitis

Inflammation of the glans penis.

Phimosis

Narrowing of the foreskin preventing retraction to expose glans penis.

Erectile Dysfunction

Also known as impotence; the inability of a male to achieve or maintain a penile erection.

Peyronie's Disease

Also known as penile curvature; condition where the penis is bent or curved during erection leading to sexual dysfunction, usually due to fibrous scar tissue inside the penis.

Priapism

Painful and persistent erection lasting 4 hours or more, not accompanied by sexual excitement and does not diminish after sexual stimulation ends.

Premature Ejaculation

Early climax, usually before or shortly after penetrating the female's vagina.

Andropause

Marked by the decrease of testosterone, and is sometimes referred to as male menopause; can cause low energy, depression, a reduction in muscle mass, and difficulty sleeping or concentrating.

Cryptorchidism

Also known as an undescended testicle; a developmental defect seen in newborns in which one or both of the testicles have failed to descend into their normal position in the scrotum.

Epididymitis

A painful inflammation of the epididymis, resulting from a bacterial infection, often a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or UTI.

Hydrocele

Fluid-filled sac in the scrotum along the spermatic cord leading from the testicles.

Testicular Torsion

Sharp pain in the scrotum caused by twisting of the vas deferens and blood vessels leading into the testicle.

Orchitis

Also known as testitis; inflammation of one or both testicles.

Varicocele

A knot of widening varicose veins in one side of the scrotum; can lead to low sperm production and male infertility.

Azoospermia

Absence of sperm in the semen.

Oligospermia

Also known as low sperm count; a common cause of male infertility.

Hematospermia

Presence of blood in the semen.

Circumcision

The surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis.

Orchiectomy/Orchidectomy

Surgical removal of one or both testicles.

Orchiopexy

The repair of cryptorchidism (undescended testicle) or to resolve testicular torsion.

Varicocelectomy

The removal of a portion of an enlarged vein to relieve a varicocele.

Bilateral Orchiectomy

Also known as castration, surgical removal or destruction of both testicles.

Vasectomy

The male sterilization procedure in which a small portion of the vas deferens is surgically blocked or cut, preventing sperm from entering the ejaculate.

Vasovasostomy

Also known as a vasectomy reversal; a procedure performed as an attempt to restore fertility to a vasectomized man.

PDE5 Inhibitors

Drugs such as Viagra used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) by causing vasodilation in the penis.

Anovulation

The absence of ovulation when it would be normally expected.

Dermoid Cyst

Also called a teratoma; a benign tumor containing various tissues such as teeth, bone, skin glands or hair.

Ovarian Cyst

Fluid-filled sacs in or on an ovary.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Any inflammation of the female reproductive organs that is not associated with surgery or pregnancy, often a complication of an STD.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

A common condition characterized by an imbalance of reproductive hormones resulting in irregular menstrual cycles, hirsutism, and acne.

Pyosalpinx

An accumulation of pus in a fallopian tube, sometimes as a result of pelvic inflammatory disease.

Salpingitis

An inflammation of a fallopian tube caused by a bacterial infection, usually as a result of an STD.

Endometriosis

A condition in which patches of endometrial tissue escape the uterus and become attached to other structures in the pelvic cavity.

Uterine Fibroids

Also known as myomas; benign tumors composed of muscle and fibrous tissue that occurs in the wall of the uterus.

Uterine Prolapse

Also known as pelvic floor hernia; a condition in which the weakening of pelvic muscles and supportive tissues that allows the uterus to slide from its normal position in the pelvic cavity and sag into the vagina.

Cervical Dysplasia

The presence of precancerous changes in the cells that make up the inner lining of the cervix.

Cervical Insufficiency

Also known as an incompetent cervix; refers to weakened tissue in the cervix, which may cause the cervix to open too soon in pregnancy.

Cervicitis

An inflammation of the cervix that is usually caused by infection, irritation, or allergies.

Dyspareunia

Pain during sexual intercourse.

Leukorrhea

A whitish mucus discharge from the uterus and vagina.

Vaginal Atrophy

Also known as genitourinary syndrome of menopause; thinning, drying and inflammation of the vaginal walls caused by hormonal changes.

Vaginal Candidiasis

Also known as a yeast infection; a common vaginal infection caused by the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans.

Vaginismus

An involuntary spasm of the pelvic floor muscles, which close off the vagina.

Vaginitis

An inflammation of the lining of the vagina.

Vulvodynia

A painful syndrome that is characterized by chronic burning, dyspareunia, itching, or stinging irritation of the vulva.

Vulvitis

An inflammation of the vulva.

Fibroadenoma

A round, firm, rubbery mass that arises from excess growth of glandular and connective tissue in the breast; benign and usually painless.

Fibrocystic Breasts

The presence of fibrous tissue and benign cysts in the breasts.

Galactorrhea

The production of breastmilk in a woman who is not breastfeeding, caused by a malfunction of the pituitary gland.

Mastalgia

Pain in the breast.

Mastitis

Breast infection that is caused by bacteria that enter the mammary glands, most frequently during breastfeeding.

Amenorrhea

An abnormal absence of menstrual periods for 90 days or more.

Dysmenorrhea

Menstrual cramps caused by uterine contractions during a menstrual period.

Menorrhagia

An excessive amount of menstrual flow, sometimes over a period of more than 7 days.

Hypomenorrhea

An unusually small amount of menstrual flow during a shortened regular menstrual period.

Menometrorrhagia

Also known as intermenstrual bleeding; excessive uterine bleeding at both the usual time of menstrual periods and at other irregular intervals.

Oligomenorrhea

Also called infrequent menstruation; term used to describe irregular or very light menstruation in a woman with previously normal periods.

Polymenorrhea

The occurrence of menstrual cycles more frequently than is normal.

Premature Menopause

A condition in which the ovaries cease functioning before age 40 due to disease, a hormonal disorder, or surgical removal.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

A group of symptoms experienced by some women within the 2-week period before menstruation, including bloating, swelling, headaches, mood swings, and breast discomfort.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

A condition associated with severe emotional and physical problems that are closely linked to the menstrual cycle.

Spontaneous Abortion

Also known as a miscarriage, usually occurs early in pregnancy and is due to an abnormality or genetic disorder.

Ectopic Pregnancy

Also known as an extrauterine pregnancy; a dangerous condition in which a fertilized egg is implanted and begins to develop outside of the uterus.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

A form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy.

Infertility

The inability of a couple to achieve pregnancy after 1 year of regular, unprotected intercourse, or the inability of a woman to carry a pregnancy to a live birth.

Abruptio Placentae

Also called placental abruption; a disorder in which the placenta separates from the uterine wall before the birth of the fetus.

Placenta Previa

The abnormal implantation of the placenta in the lower portion of the uterus, partially or completely covering the cervix.

Preeclampsia

Also known as pregnancy-induced hypertension; a complication of pregnancy characterized by hypertension and proteinuria.

Eclampsia

A serious condition characterized by seizures and coma that can develop from uncontrolled preeclampsia.

HELLP Syndrome

Life-threatening pregnancy complication characterized by Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelet count; can cause damage to the liver and blood cells.

Breech Presentation

Occurs when the buttocks or feet of the fetus are positioned to enter the birth canal first instead of the head.

Premature Infant

Also known as a preemie; a fetus born before the 37th week of gestation; referred to as a preterm birth.

Stillbirth

The birth of a fetus that died before or during delivery.

Postpartum Depression

Mood disorder characterized by feelings of sadness and the loss of pleasure in normal activities that can occur shortly after giving birth.

Colposcopy

The direct visual examination of the tissues of the cervix, vagina, and vulva using a colposcope.

Endometrial Biopsy

A small amount of tissue from the lining of the uterus is removed for microscopic examination; used to determine the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding.

Transvaginal Ultrasound

Also known as an endovaginal ultrasound; performed to determine the cause of pelvic pain, infertility, or abnormal vaginal bleeding by placing an ultrasound transducer in the vagina.

Hysterosalpingography (HSG)

An X-ray examination of the uterus and fallopian tubes involving the instillation of radiopaque contrast material.

Hysteroscopy (HYS)

The direct visual examination of the interior of the uterus and fallopian tubes using a hysteroscope; used to diagnose and treat abnormal bleeding.

Pap Smear/Pap Test

An exfoliative biopsy of the cervix performed to detect conditions that can be early indicators of cervical cancer.

Amniocentesis

A surgical puncture with a needle to obtain a specimen of amniotic fluid to evaluate fetal health and to diagnose certain congenital disorders.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

The examination of cells retrieved from the chorionic villi to search for genetic abnormalities in the developing fetus.

Diaphragm

Barrier contraceptive inserted into the vagina to cover the cervix, preventing the sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg.

Intrauterine Device (IUD)

A molded plastic contraceptive inserted through the cervix into the uterus to prevent pregnancy.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

The use of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone to replace those the body no longer produces during and after perimenopause.

Oophorectomy

Also known as ovariectomy; the surgical removal of one or more ovaries.

Salpingectomy

Surgical removal of one or both fallopian tubes.

Salpingo-oophorectomy

Surgical removal of a fallopian tube and ovary; bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the removal of both tubes and ovaries.

Tubal Ligation

Sometimes referred to as having the tubes tied; a surgical sterilization procedure in which the fallopian tubes are sealed or cut to prevent sperm from reaching a mature ovum.

Sacrocolpopexy

The surgical fixation of a prolapsed vagina to a surrounding structure such as a sacrum.

Conization

Also known as a cone biopsy; the surgical removal of a cone-shaped specimen of tissue from the cervix; performed as a diagnostic procedure or to remove abnormal tissue.

Colporrhaphy

The surgical suturing of a tear in the vaginal wall.

Dilation and Curettage (D&C)

A surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated and the endometrium of the uterus is scraped away; can be performed as a diagnostic procedure or a treatment.