Medical Terminology Ch 13 Gynecology and Obstetrics Female Genital and Reproductive System

gynec/o-

female; woman

-logy

study of

Gynecology

Medical specialty studying the anatomy and physiology of the female genital system

obstetr/o-

pregnancy and childbirth

-ics

knowledge; practice

Obstetrics

Medical specialty studying female reproduction, pregnancy, and childbirth

ovari/o-

ovary

oophor/o-

ovary

Ovary

Small, egg-shaped female gonad containing follicles that release ova and secretes hormones

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections at the end of uterine tubes that pull ova into the tubes

Uterus

Inverted pear-shaped organ held by ligaments, also known in Latin as the womb

Anteflexion

The normal position of the uterus where the superior portion is tipped anteriorly

Fundus

The rounded top portion of the uterus

Body (of uterus)

The wide, central part of the uterus

Cervix

The narrow neck of the uterus that protrudes downward into the vagina

Perimetrium

The outer, serous membrane layer of the uterine wall

Myometrium

The muscular inner layer of smooth muscle making up the uterine wall

Endometrium

The inner mucous membrane layer of the uterine wall that sloughs off during menstruation

Hymen

The mucous membrane covering the vaginal opening

Mons pubis

The fatty tissue layer overlying the pubic bone in the external genitalia

Labia

Tissue folds covering the urethral meatus and vaginal introitus

Clitoris

The external female organ of sexual arousal

Vaginal introitus

The opening leading into the vaginal canal

Vulva

The collective term for all structures of the female external genitalia

Lactiferous lobules

Glandular structures within the breasts that produce milk to nourish a newborn

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Anterior pituitary hormone causing follicle enlargement and ovum maturation

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Anterior pituitary hormone triggering follicle rupture and ovum release

Estradiol

Hormone prompting secondary sex characteristics and endometrial thickening

Progesterone

Ovarian hormone stimulating the thickening of the endometrium

Testosterone

Hormone responsible for stimulating sexual drive

Primary sexual characteristics

The internal and external genitalia an individual is born with

Secondary sexual characteristics

Features developing at puberty due to ovarian hormones (breasts, widened pelvis)

Oogenesis

The multi-stage process of producing mature ova via mitosis and meiosis

Menstrual phase

Days 1-6 of the cycle marked by the sloughing of blood, endometrial tissue, and mucus

Proliferative phase

Days 7-13 of the cycle where the endometrium thickens and cervical mucus thins

Ovulation

Day 14 of the cycle where LH causes the follicle to rupture and release a mature ovum

Secretory phase

Days 15-26 of the cycle where the ruptured follicle becomes the corpus luteum

Ischemic phase

Days 27-28 of the cycle where a drop in hormones stops blood flow and causes ischemia

Corpus luteum

A ruptured follicle filled with yellow fat that secretes estradiol and progesterone

Conception

The process when a spermatozoon penetrates an ovum and forms a zygote

Zygote

A fertilized ovum containing a full set of 46 chromosomes

Embryo

The stage of the developing organism from 4 days after fertilization up to 9 weeks

Amnion

The inner mass of embryonic cells that develops into the protective amniotic sac

Chorion

The outer embryonic layer that produces HCG and later develops into the placenta

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)

Hormone from the chorion that stimulates the corpus luteum to prevent menstruation

Fetus

The stage of the developing organism from 9 weeks until delivery

Placenta

A plate-shaped structure providing fetal nutrients and taking over hormone production

Umbilical cord

The structure connecting the fetus to the placenta to deliver oxygen and remove wastes

Gestation

The complete period of development lasting from conception until birth

Prenatal period

The gestation period from the developmental perspective of the fetus

Antepartum period

The gestation period from the clinical perspective of the mother

Braxton Hicks contractions

Irregular, intermittent uterine contractions occurring as pregnancy advances

Engagement

The late pregnancy event where the fetal head drops down into the mother's pelvis

Vertex presentation

The normal head-down position where the head is the presenting part during labor

Crowning

The stage of delivery when the top of the fetal head becomes visible at the vaginal introitus

Oxytocin

Hormone from the posterior pituitary and uterus that actively stimulates labor contractions

First Stage of Labor

The period of labor when contractions begin, the membrane ruptures, and the cervix dilates completely to 10 cm