medterm 12 female reproductive

external genitalia

Sex, or reproductive, organs visible on the outside of the body; also called genitals

gestation

conception →birth

lactation

production and release of milk by mammary glands

libido

Psychological and physical drive for sexual activity

orifice

opening that is the entrance/outlet of any body cavity

internal organs

ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina

external genitalia structures

vulva→labia minora, labia majora, clitoris, bartholin glands, and mons pubis

mons pubis

an elevation of adipose tissue covered by skin and coarse pubic hair that cushions the pubis (pubic bone)

perineum

area between the vaginal orifice and the anus

ova

female reproductive cells

hormones

lay a key role in the female reproductive system by influencing libido and supporting vital stages of the reproductive process, including preconception, conception, fertilization, and gestation

ovaries

almond-shaped glands located in the pelvic cavity, one on each side of the uterus. contains thousands of tiny, saclike structures called (2) graafian follicles, each containing an ovum.

mature follicle

When an ovum ripens, the (3) mature follicle moves to the surface of the ovary, ruptures, and releases the ovum in a process called ovulation.

corpus luteum

empty follicle transformation, corpus luteum, a small yellow mass that secretes estrogen and progesterone. The corpus luteum degenerates at the end of a nonfertile cycle.

Estrogen and progesterone

influence the menstrual cycle and menopause. They also prepare the uterus for implantation of the fertilized egg, help maintain pregnancy, promote growth of the placenta, and play an important role in development of secondary sex characteristics

fallopian tubes

(oviducts, uterine tubes) extend laterally from superior angles of the uterus.

fimbriae

fingerlike projections that create wavelike currents in fluid surrounding the ovary to move the ovum into the uterine tube.

what happens if egg unites with spermatozoon

male reproductive cell, fertilization (or conception) takes place. The fertilized egg then continues its journey to the uterus, where it implants on the uterine wall. If conception does not occur, the ovum disintegrates within 48 hours and is discharged through the vagina.

uterus

contains and nourishes the embryo from the time the fertilized egg is implanted until the fetus is born. It is a muscular, hollow structure shaped like an inverted pear and is located in the pelvic area between the bladder and rectum. The uterus normally tilts forward (anteflexion) in the pelvic cavity

3 parts of uterus

fundus, the upper, rounded part; the (9) body, the central part; and the (10) cervix, also called the neck of the uterus or cervix uteri, the inferior constricted portion that opens into the vagina.

vagina

muscular tube that extends from the cervix to the exterior of the body. Its lining consists of folds of mucous membrane that give the organ an elastic quality.

bartholin glands

During sexual excitement, the vaginal orifice is lubricated by secretions from (12) Bartholin glands.

clitoris

located anterior to the vaginal orifice, is composed of erectile tissue that is richly innervated with sensory endings. The clitoris is similar in structure to the penis in the male, but it is smaller and has no urethra.

episiotomy

surgically incised perineum to enlarge the vaginal opening for delivery.

mammary glands

breasts; only function in females, secrete milk for the nourishment of the newborn, a process called lactation. Breasts begin to develop during puberty as a result of periodic stimulation of the ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone and are fully developed by age 16.

Each breast is composed of 15 to 20 lobules of milk-producing glands that are drained by a (2) lactiferous duct, which opens on the tip of the raised (3) nipple.

adipose tissue

enlarges breasts, estrogen responsible

areola

Circling the nipple is a border of slightly darker skin

menarche

initial menstrual period, occurs at puberty (about age 12), and menstruation continues for approximately 40 years, except during pregnancy.

menstrual

days 1-5; Uterine endometrium sloughs off because of hormonal stimulation, a process accompanied by bleeding. The detached tissue and blood are discharged through the vagina as menstrual flow.

ovulatory

days 6-14; When menstruation ceases, the endometrium begins to thicken as new tissue is rebuilt. As the estrogen level rises, several ova begin to mature in the graafian follicles, usually with only one ovum reaching full maturity. At about the 14th day of the cycle, the graafian follicle ruptures, releasing the egg, a process called ovulation. The egg then leaves the ovary and travels down the fallopian tube toward the uterus.

postovulatory

days 15-28; The empty graafian follicle fills with a yellow material and is now called the corpus luteum. Secretions of estrogen and progesterone by the corpus luteum stimulate the building of the endometrium in preparation for implantation of an embryo. If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum begins to degenerate as estrogen and progesterone levels decrease.* With decreased hormone levels, the uterine lining begins to shed, the menstrual cycle starts over again, and the first day of menstruation begins.

childbirth

parturition

embryo

0-3 mo

fetus

3-9 mo

amenorrhea

absence of menses

approaching menopause

change of life/climacteric

vaginal atrophy

vaginal drying and thinning

hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

HRT

treats vaginal atrophy and osteoporosis; heart attacks

amnio

amnion (amniotic sac)

cervico

neck; cervix uteri (neck of the uterus)

colpo/vagino

vagina

galacto/lacto

milk

gyneco

woman/female

hystero/metrio/utero

uterus/womb

mammo/masto

breast

meno

menses, menstruation

metro

uterus (womb); measure

nato

birth

oophoro/ovario

ovary

perineo

perineum

salpingo

tube (usually fallopian)

arche

beginning

cyesis

pregnancy

gravida

pregnant woman

para

to bear offspring

salpinx

tube (usually fallopian)

tocia

childbirth/labor

version

turning

ante

before/in front of

dys

bad/painful

endo

in/within

multi

many/much

post

after

primi

first

gynecology (GYN)

branch of medicine concerned with diseases of the female reproductive organs and breasts

obstetrics (OB)

branch of medicine that manages the health of a woman and her fetus during pregnancy and childbirth. It also includes the puerperium

puerperium

the period of adjustment after childbirth during which the reproductive organs of the mother return to their normal, nonpregnant state. Generally, this period lasts 6 to 8 weeks and ends with the first ovulation and the return of normal menstruation.

obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN).

overlap

endometriosis

presence of functional endometrial tissue in areas outside the uterus. ectopic tissue is usually confined to the pelvic area but may appear anywhere in the abdominopelvic cavity. Like normal endometrial tissue, the ectopic endometrium responds to the hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle.

adhesions

The endometrial tissue can cause superficial lesions or deep nodules, or can bind to surrounding organs and tissue, causing scar tissue, pain, and infertility

chocolate cysts

When endometriosis affects the ovaries, chocolate cysts (ovarian endometriomas, endometriotic cysts) filled with menstrual blood may develop.

treatment for endometriosis

pain relief and hormone therapy to suppress the menstrual cycle. Some cases may involve surgical removal of the ectopic endometrial tissue or hysterectomy.

pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

general term for inflammation of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and adjacent pelvic structures. It is usually caused by bacterial infection, but other organisms may be implicated.

causes of pid

pathogens generally enter through the vagina during coitus, induced abortion, childbirth, or the postpartum period. As an ascending infection, the pathogens spread from the vagina and cervix to the upper structures of the female reproductive tract. Untreated gonorrhea and chlamydia cause most cases of PID.

breast cancer

carcinoma of the breast, is the most common diagnosed malignancy, and the second cause of cancer death of women in the United States.

causes of breast cancer

Women who have never had children (nulliparous) or those who have had an early onset of the first menstrual period (menarche) or late onset of menopause are also more likely to develop breast cancer.

BSE

breast self-examination

mammogram

annual breast screening beginning at age 40

genetic mutations for breast cancer

BRCA1 and BRCA2

mastectomy

removal of breast

cervical cancer target group

women between ages 35 and 44 but can occur at any age

primary cause of cervical cancer

human papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread from one person to another during skin to skin contact including oral, vaginal, and anal sex.

There are 150 strains of HPV, and some cause warts (papillomas). Different types of HPV cause warts on different body parts including the hands, feet, lips, tongue, and genitals (condylomata)

Other strains, especially HPV-16 and HPV-18, are considered high risk because they can cause changes in cervical cells that may lead to cancer.

pap test

cytological examination, can detect cervical cancer before the disease becomes clinically evident. This test can identify precancerous cells (dysplasia) before they change into cancer. annual.

colpopsy

detect the presence and extent of preclinical lesions requiring biopsy and histological examination.

atresia

Congenital absence or closure of a normal body opening, such as the vagina

candidiasis

Fungal infection caused by Candida albicans that is a common cause of vaginal infections in women, characterized by a curdy or cheeselike discharge and extreme itching; also referred to as a vaginal yeast infection

choriocarcinoma

Malignant neoplasm of the uterus or at the site of an ectopic pregnancy

dyspareunia

Pain during sexual intercourse

fibrocystic breast disease

Presence of single or multiple cysts that are palpable in the breasts

menstrual disorders

Abnormal condition in the menstrual cycle; also called dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB)

amenorrhea

Absence of a menstrual period in a woman of reproductive age

dysmenorrhea

Cramps or painful menstruation

menorrhagia

Abnormally heavy, prolonged menstrual period

metrorrhagia

Irregular uterine bleeding between menstrual periods or after menopause

oligomenorrhea

Abnormally light or infrequent menstrual periods

premenstrual syndrome PMS

Symptoms that occur between ovulation and the onset of menstruation

ovarian cysts

A globular sac filled with fluid or semisolid material that develops in or on the ovary