Female reproductive system

hyster(o)/metr-

uterus

salping(o)/-salpinx

uterine tube

colp(o)

vag1na

men(o)

menstruation
_{^{^ex: oligomenorrhea = less than normal menstrual flow (oligo (scanty/little) + meno (menstruation) + rrhea (abnormal flow/discharge))}}

-pareunia/coitus

interc0urse (think pair (pare) unite (uni))

endometriosis

clots of endometrial tissue (endometrium=lining layer of uterus) attach to abdominal organs _{^{(e.g. bladder, intestines, rectum)}}

pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

bacteria on lining of abdominal cavity (peritoneum) causes abdominal pain
^females have ‘open’ abdominal cavity, bacteria can travel from vag1na→uterus→uterine tubes→abdominal cavity

prolapsed uterus

uterus slips out of normal position and drops into or protrudes out of the vag1na

!!! Obstetrician - physician specializing in the diagnosis and management of pregnancy and delivering babies.

Gynecologist - a physician specializing in diseases of the female reproductive system and surgery of this area. Most physicians currently specialize in combined practice of OB/GYN.

Episiotomy - a surgical procedure cutting into the perineal area, the area between the vag1na and @nus in order to prevent tearing of tissues when the baby's head traverses the vaginal opening.

Pudendal block - An anesthetic administered to block sensation around the lower vag1na and perineum. This facilitates performing an episiotomy, allowing passage of the baby's head while avoiding uncontrolled tearing of tissues.

Hysterosalpingogram - special X-rays of the uterus and uterine tubes involving passing an opaque dye backwards up through the uterus to determine if the tubes are patent. Since the tubes are open into the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity, if patent, dye should spill out of the end of the tubes and be manifest on the X-ray.

Colposcopy - using a magnifying instrument to inspect the interior of the vag1na and cervix, the entrance to the uterus.

Dilation and curettage (D & C) - dilating the cervix, the entrance into the uterus, and passing instruments that enable scraping off superficial layers of the endometrium. _{^{(may be done as an early therapeutic abortion, or following a normal pregnancy to remove residual tissue remaining in the uterus, or may be done as a diagnostic procedure to examine lining tissue of the uterus)}}

Mammoplasty - Surgical reconstruction of the breast may involve breast enlargement or reduction or cosmetic reconstruction after mastectomy.

-gravida

pregnancy (think gravity)

-para

live birth

part(o)/toc(o)

labor/birth/delivery (e.g. postpartum)

abruptio placentae

premature separation of a normally implanted placenta from the uterus before full term

placenta previa

a placenta implanted over the cervical region of the uterus, blocking the entrance to the birth canal

eclampsia

a serious and life-threatening condition that may develop during pregnancy involving hypertension, convulsions and coma
_{^{^convulsion=rapid/involuntary muscle contractions, muscles spasm and rapidly tighten/relax, see uncontrollable shaking & rigid movements}}

ectopic pregnancy

pregnancy implanted anywhere outside of the uterus (most common uterine tube, least common abdominal cavity)
*EMERGENCY b/c uterine tube cannot sustain tremendous expansion like the uterus