Chapter 11: Female Reproductive System

Flashcards for the key vocabulary and concepts of the female reproductive system for test preparation

Uterus

The central organ of the female reproductive system.

Cervix uteri

The neck of the uterus, is the lower portion of the uterus that tapers to connect to the vagina.

Os/External Os

Opening in the cervix.

Corpus uteri

The body, or fundus, of the uterus.

Fallopian Tubes

Two tubes, one on either side of the uterus, leading from the bilateral ovaries into the uterus; also are called oviducts, uterine tubes, and salpinges.

Infundibulum

The distal ends of the fallopian tubes.

Fimbriae

Fingers near the ovaries and help to capture the ovum (eggs or oocytes) as they make their way into the tubes, and to the uterus.

Ovaries

Egg-producing reproductive organs that also produce hormones related to the female reproductive cycles.

Uterine adnexa

Together, the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Vagina

A tubular, muscular canal that may contain a congenital partition, or vaginal septum.

Vulva

Structures, including the labia majora and minora, mons pubis, clitoris, and the vestibule or vagina introitus.

Vagina introitus

The location of the hymen that surrounds or partially covers the external vaginal opening.

Bartholin's glands

Glands located slightly inferior and to either side of the vaginal introitus (also called the greater vestibular glands).

Skene's glands

Glands located on the anterior wall of the vagina around the lower end of the urethra (also called the lesser vestibular glands, or periurethral glands).

Perineum

The area between the pubic symphysis and the coccyx, between the legs.

Hyperplastic conditions

Unusual growths that have some characteristics of malignancies but are not malignant; this type of tissue is referred to as pre-cancerous

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN)

Two common hyperplastic conditions, staged as I, II, or III.

Leiomyoma (fibroid)

Benign tumors often found on or embedded in the musculature of the uterus.

Menorrhagia

Excessive or frequent menstrual bleeding (N92.0, bleeding with a regular cycle).

Metrorrhagia

Bleeding unrelated to menstruation (N92.1).

Chapter 15 codes

Codes have sequencing priority over codes from other chapters.

1st Trimester

Less than 14 weeks 0 days.

2nd Trimester

14 weeks 0 days to less than 28 weeks 0 days

3rd Trimester

28 weeks 0 days until delivery.

Spontaneous abortion

One where the patient experiences symptoms of cramping, bleeding, and expulsion of the fetus.

Missed abortion

When the fetus dies before completion of 20 weeks of gestation, but the products of conception are retained.

Normal delivery

Requiring minimal or no assistance, with or without episiotomy, without fetal manipulation or instrumentation or spontaneous, cephalic, vaginal, full-term, single, live-born infant.

Category Z37 codes

Codes describe the number and survival status of the baby after delivery.

Code Z33.1

Used in the rare circumstances when a patient is pregnant and receives some unrelated healthcare service.

Infections

Surgically treated vulva problems that tend to be localized abscesses and cysts, or manifestations of sexually transmitted disease.

Marsupialization

A scalpel is used to cut an opening in the top of the abscess pocket; leaflets are pulled away from the pocket and attached to the surrounding skin with stitches or glue.

Simple vulvectomies

Include only the skin and superficial subcutaneous tissues.

Radical vulvectomies

Include removal of deep subcutaneous tissue and lymph nodes.

Pessary

A flexible ring that can be inserted into the vagina where it provides additional support for the uterus, bladder, and rectum.

Colpocleisis

Procedure in which the vaginal walls are sewn together, eliminating prolapse from the vagina.

Colpopexy

Procedure in which suture material and/or mesh may be used to suspend the vagina from the boney structures in the pelvis.

Conization of the cervix

A cone-shaped sample of tissue is removed from the cervix by either cold knife method (57520, or 57455 if performed with colposcopy) or loop excision, also referred to as loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) (57522, or 57461, with colposcopy).

Cervical cerclage (57700)

Treatment for a non-pregnant woman with a history of miscarriage due to an incompetent cervix.

Tubal ligation

Is blocking of the tube or passageway from the ovaries to the uterus.

Fulguration

Destruction of tissue by high-frequency electrical current.

Global OB package

All typical care-including initial and subsequent history and physical exam and routine labs throughout the normal antepartum period (usually about 13 visits), delivery, and postpartum care-is part of the __.

Code Q0091

Used for obtaining a Pap smear.

Bartholin's gland

Two glands located in the vulvar area, slightly below and to either side of the vaginal introitus; also called the greater vestibular glands.

Cerclage

Placement of stitches to hold the cervix closed; may be performed during pregnancy to treat an incompetent cervix.

Colpocleisis

The vaginal walls are sewn together, eliminating prolapse of or through the vagina.

Colpopexy

Procedure to return the vagina (and sometimes the uterus) to its normal anatomic position in the abdomen.

Colporrhaphy

Any procedure to repair the vagina; typically refers to plicating and tacking the weakened fibrous tissue between the bladder and vagina (cystocele) or the rectum and vagina (rectocele)

Conization of Cervix

Removal of a cone-shaped piece of mucosal tissue from the cervix, as a biopsy and/or to treat hyperplasia; if performed with a loop electrode, it may be referred to as a LEEP conization.

Corpus Uteri

The main body, or fundus, of the uterus, above the cervix.

Dilation and Curettage (D&C)

Enlarging or stretching and curettage means scraping.

Ectopic Pregnancy

Life-threatening condition to the mother when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus developing in the fallopian tube, cervix, wall of the uterus (interstitial), abdomen, or ovary.

Fulguration

The destruction of tissue, usually malignant tumors, by means of a high-frequency electric current applied with a needlelike electrode.

Gravido

The number of times a woman has been pregnant.

Hymen

A fold of mucous membrane surrounds or partially covers the external vaginal opening.

Induced Abortion

Intentional termination of pregnancy.

Introitus

Opening from outside of the body into the vagina; introitus is in the vulva.

Lysis

Destruction; often used in relation to scar tissue or adhesions.

Marsupialization

Surgery used to cut an opening in the top of an abscess pocket; the leaflets created by this procedure are pulled away from the pocket and attached to the surrounding skin with stitches or glue, creating a pouch.

Missed Abortion

The fetus dies before completion of 20 weeks of gestation, but the products of conception are retained.

Para

The number of live births.

Perineum

Area between the pubic symphysis and the coccyx, between the legs.

Pessary

A flexible ring placed in the vagina, helps support the pelvic floor and treat prolapse and incontinence.

Skene's Gland

Located in the vulvar area, several glands found on the anterior wall of the vagina around the lower end of the urethra; also are called the lesser vestibular glands, or periurethral glands.

Spontaneous Abortion

Miscarriage or the natural loss of pregnancy when there is an expulsion of products of conception before completion of 20 weeks of gestation.

Urethrocele

Condition resulting from vaginal prolapse, resulting in prolapse of the urethra.

Urethrovaginal Fistula

An abnormal opening between the urethra and the vagina.

Vaginal Septum

A congenital anomaly; extra tissue divides the vagina either longitudinally or horizontally.

Vulva

The external female genitalia including the labia majora and minora, mons pubis, clitoris, vestibule (introitus) of the vagina, and the urethra.