Comprehensive Gynecologic Pathology Vocabulary for ASLMC 2025

ADENOMYOSIS

benign invasive growth of the endometrium into the muscular layer of the uterus

ANDROGEN

substance that stimulates the development of male characteristics, such as the hormones testosterone and androsterone

CERVICAL STENOSIS

acquired condition with obstruction of the cervical canal

CORPUS LUTEUM CYST

small endocrine structure that develops within a ruptured ovarian follicle and secretes progesterone and estrogen

CURETTAGE

scraping with a curet to remove the contents of the uterus, as is done following inevitable or incomplete abortion; to produce abortion; to obtain specimens for use in diagnosis; and to remove growths, such as polyps

CYSTADENOCARCINOMA

malignant tumor that forms cysts

CYSTADENOMA

benign adenoma containing cysts

DERMOID

benign tumor comprised of hair, muscle, teeth, and fat

ECTOPIC PREGNANCY

pregnancy occurring outside the uterine cavity

ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMA

malignancy characterized by abnormal thickening of the endometrial cavity; usually includes irregular bleeding in perimenopausal/postmenopausal women

ENDOMETRIAL HYPERPLASIA

results from estrogen stimulation to the endometrium without the influence of progestin; frequent cause of bleeding

ENDOMETRIOMA

localized tumor of endometriosis most frequently found in the ovary, cul-de-sac, rectovaginal septum, and peritoneal surface of the posterior wall of the uterus

ENDOMETRIOSIS

occurs when functioning endometrial tissue invades sites outside the uterus

ENDOMETRITIS

infection within the endometrium of the uterus

ESTROGEN

female hormone produced by the ovary

FOLLICULAR CYST

benign cyst within the ovary that may occur and disappear on a cyclic basis

FUNCTIONAL CYST

results from the normal function of the ovary

GARTNER'S DUCT CYST

small cyst within the vagina

HEMATOMETROCOLPOS

blood-filled vagina and uterus

HYDRICOLPOS

fluid-filled vagina

HYDROMETROCOLPOS

fluid-filled vagina and uterus

HYDROSALPINX

fluid within the fallopian tube

INTRAMURAL LEIOMYOMA

most common type of leiomyoma; deforms the myometrium

LEIOMYOMA

most common benign gynecologic tumor in women during their reproductive years

MEIGS' SYNDROME

benign tumor of the ovary associated with ascites and pleural effusion

MUCINOUS CYSTADENOCARCINOMA

malignant tumor of the ovary with multilocular cysts

MUCINOUS CYSTADENOMA

benign tumor of the ovary that contains thin-walled multilocular cysts

MYOMETRITIS

infection within the myometrium of the uterus

NABOTHIAN CYST

benign tiny cyst within the cervix

OOPHORITIS

infection within the ovary

OVARIAN TORSION

partial or complete rotation of the ovarian pedicle on its axis

PARAMETRITIS

infection within the uterine serosa and broad ligaments

PARAOVARIAN CYST

cystic structure that lies adjacent to the ovary

PELVIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASE (PID)

all-inclusive term that refers to all pelvic infections (endometritis, salpingitis, hydrosalpinx, and TOA)

POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN DISEASE

endocrine disorder associated with chronic anovulation

PYOSALPINX

retained pus within the inflamed fallopian tube

SALPINGITIS

infection within the fallopian tubes

SERIOUS CYSTADENOCARCINOMA

most common type of ovarian carcinoma; may be bilateral with multilocular cysts

SERIOUS CYSTADENOMA

second most common benign tumor of the ovary; unilocular or multilocular

SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

most common type of cervical cancer

SUBMUCOSAL

type of leiomyoma found to deform the endometrial cavity and cause heavy or irregular menses

SUBSEROSAL

type of leiomyoma that may become pedunculated and appear as an extrauterine mass

THECA-LUTEIN CYSTS

multilocular cysts that occur in patients with hyperstimulation, hydatidiform mole, and infertility patients

TUBOOVARIAN ABSCESS (TOA)

infection that involves the fallopian tube and the ovary