Chapter 27 Glossary Terms

Adnexa

accessory organs of the uterus (i.e., ovaries and fallopian tubes)

Amenorrhea

absence of menstruation; termed secondary amenorrhea when menstruation has begun and then ceases; most common cause is pregnancy

Bartholin Glands

vestibular glands located on either side of the vaginal orifice that secrete a clear lubricating mucus during intervourse

Bloody Show

dislodging of thick cervical mucus plug at end of pregnancy that is a sign of beginning of labor

Caruncle

small, deep red mass protruding from urethral meatus, usually due to urethritis

Chadwick Sign

bluish dicoloration of cervix that occurs normally in pregnancy at 6 to 8 weeks' gestation

Chancre

red, round, superficial ulcer with a yellowish serous discharge that is a sign of syphilis

Clitoris

small, elongated erectile tissue in the female, located at anterior juncture of labia minora

Cystocele

prolapse of urinary bladder and its vaginal mucosa into the vagina with straining or standing

Dysmenorrhea

abdominal cramping and pain associated with menstruation

Dyspareunia

painful intercourse

Dysuria

painful urination

Endometriosis

aberrant growths of endometrial tissue scattered throughout pelvis

Fibroid

(myoma) hard, painless nodule in uterine wall that causes uterine enlargment

Gonorrhea

sexually transmitted infection (STI) characterized by purulent vaginal discharge (or may have no symptoms)

Hegar Sign

softening of cervix that is a sign of pregnancy, occurring at 10 to 12 weeks' gestation

Hematuria

red-tinged or bloody urine

Hymen

membranous fold of tissue partly closing vaginal orifice

Leukorrhea

whitish or yellowish discharge from vaginal orifice

Menarche

onset of first menstruation, usually between 11 and 13 years of age

Menopause

cessation of menses, usually occurring around 48-51 years of age

Menorrhagia

excessively heavy menstrual flow

Multipara

condition of having 2 or more pregnancies

Nullipara

condition of first pregnancy

Papanicolaou Test

(pap test) painless test used to detect cervical cancer

Polyp

cervical polyp is bright red, soft, pedunculated growth emerging from os

Rectocele

Prolapse of rectum and its vaginal mucosa into vagina with straining or standing

Rectouterine Pouch

(cul-de-sac of Douglas) deep recess formed by the peritoneum between the rectum and cervix

Salpingitis

inflammation of fallopian tubes

Skene Glands

paraurethral glands

Vaginitis

inflammation of vagina

Vulva

external genitalia of female