Module 12: Female Reproductive Anatomy

amni/o-

Amnion (Innermost membrane that encloses the embryo)

areol/o-

Small circular area

cervic/o-

Cervix, neck

efface/o-

Do away with; obliterate

fet/o-

Fetus

gestat/o-

Conception at birth

lact/o-

Milk

mammo/o-

Breast

men/o-

Month

menstru/o-

Monthly discharge of blood

metri/o-

Uterus; womb

ne/o-

New

ovari/o-

Ovary

ovul/o-

Egg; ovum

pregn/o-

Being with child

salping/o-

Uterine tube

umbilic/o-

Navel; umbilicus

uter/o-

Uterus; womb

vagin/o-

Vagina

Genitourinary System

The system of organs comprising those concerned with the production of excretion of urine and those concerned with reproduction

Gynecology

The branch of medicine that is particularly concerned with the health of the female organs of reproduction

gynec/o-

Female; woman

Obstetrics

The branch of medicine dealing with pregnancy and labor

• The health of the mother and fetus from early pregnancy through a successful labor and delivery

obstetr/o-

Pregnancy; childbirth

Areola

The red or dusky ring around the nipple

Mammary Glands

One of the two glands on either side of the adult female chest, which fatty tissue and the nipple, make up the breast and are female sex characteristics that develop during puberty

• Each network of sacs that produce milk during lactation and sent the milk to the nipple via a system of ducts

Gonad

A gamete-producing reproductive gland; Ovary

Genitalia

The female reproductive organs; including internal adn external structures

Internal genitalia

Ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina

External genitalia

The labia minora, majora (vulva), and the clitoris

Vagina

The muscular canal that extends from the cervix to the outside of the body, usually 6-7 cms in length and is lined with mucous membrane

Hymen

A thin membrane that may completely or partially cover the vaginal opening before the first sexual intercourse, but usually disappears before puberty

Clitoris

A small mass of erectile tissue that is situated at the anterior apex of the vulva, near the meeting of the lab is major (vulva lips), highly sensitive to stimulation

Perineum

The area between the anus and the vulva

Vulva

The female external genital organs, including the labia, clitoris, and entrance to the vagina

Uterus

A hollow, pear shaped organ located in a woman’s lower abdomen between the bladder and the rectum

• The middle layer is muscular tissue that expands during pregnancy to hold the growing fetus and contracts during labor to deliver child

Intrauterine Cavity

The hollow area inside the uterus

Cervix

The low, narrow part of the uterus which forms a canal that opens from the uterus into the vagina

Fundus

The rounded top of the uterus

Endometrium

The inner layer of the uterus

Ovary

The female gonad, one of a pair of reproductive glands

• Located in the pelvis, one on each side

• Produce eggs

Uterine tube/Fallopian tubes/Oviduct

One of the two tubes that transport eggs from the ovary to the uterus

• Have cilia on the cells of the living which move the egg through the tube into the uterus

Menstrual Cycle

The monthly cycle of changes in the ovaries and the lining of the uterus, starting with the preparation of an egg for fertilization

Menstruation

the periodic shedding of the endometrium and associated menstrual bleeding in the menstrual cycle

• Due to the decline in circulating progesterone, and occurs at the late luteal phase when luteolysis of the corpus luteum takes place

Ovulation

The release of the ripe egg from the ovary, and is released when the cavity surrounding it (follicle) breaks open in response to a hormonal signal

• Occurs around 14-15 days after last menstrual cycle

• The egg moves into uterine tube and becomes available for fertilization

Menarche

The first menstrual cycle marked by the initiation of menstruation

Pregnancy

The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the females body

• Will last for about 40 weeks, divided into 3 trimesters (Roughly 3 months each)

Obstetrical history

A series of methodical questioning of an obstetric patient with the aim of developing a diagnosis or differential diagnosis on further management

Gravida

A pregnant woman

• Used in combination of number of pregnancies a woman has had

Para

The number of births that a woman has had after 20 weeks gestation

-gravida

Pregnancy

Nulligravida

A woman who has never been pregnant

null/-

None

Primigravida

A woman who is undergoing her first pregnancy

prim/i-

First

Gestation

The carrying of the fetus in the uterus from conception to delivery

Conception

The union of a sperm and an egg to create the first cell of a new organism; the beginning of pregnancy

Fertilization

The process of combining sperm with ovum; zygote

Peristalsis

A movement caused by sequential muscle contraction that pushed the content of the intestines or other tubular organs in one direction

• This is caused by cilia that move egg and sperm through the tubes

Embryo

The fetus in the womb prior to the end of the second month

Fetus

The unborn child after 8th weeks of development

Prenatal Period

The time between conception and birth

Three stages

1. The germinal stage (Zygote and placenta formation)

2. The embryonic stage (Developing embryo)

3. The fetal stage (2 months to birth)

Trismester

One of the three divisions of three months each during pregnancy

Products of conception

The fetus, the placenta, and all fluids and tissue in the pregnant uterus

Amniotic fluid

The fluid bathing a fetus within the uterus, acting as a shock absorber

Placenta

A temporary organ that joins the mother and the fetus, transferring oxygen and nutrients from the mother and the fetus

Umbilical cord

The fleshy tube containing two arteries and a vein through which the mother supplies the fetus within oxygen and nutrients

Antepartum

Describing an event in pregnancy before labor starts

ante-

Before; forward

part/o-

Childbirth; labor

-um

Period of time; structure

Colostrum

A sticky white or yellow fluid secreted by the breasts during the 2nd half of pregnancy and for a few days after birth, before the breast milk comes in

Engagement

The sensation that a pregnant woman feels when the lowermost part of the fetus descends and is engaged into the mother’s pelvis

• 2-3 weeks before labor begins

Dilation

The action of stretching of enlarging an organ or part of the body

• During the birthing process, the cervix opens

Effacement

The thinning of the cervix, occurring before and while the cervix dilates

Rupture of membranes (ROM)

When the amniotic sac breaks/ruptures and the amniotic fluid is released into the vagina

• Can be the first state of labor

Crowning

The appearance of the fetal scalp at the vaginal orifice in childbirth

Involution

A shrinking or return to former size of uterus after pregnancy

Lactation

The process of milk production

Postpartum

The period just after delivery for the mother

Postnatal

The period just after delivery of baby

part/o-

Childbirth; labor

Identical twins

One of two children produced in the same pregnancy who developed from a single ovum; same genomes

Fraternal twins

One of two children produced in the same pregnancy who developed from two ova; different genomes

Neonate

A newborn baby, the first 4 weeks after birth

Fontanel

A soft spot of the skull of a newborn infant where the cartilage has not yet hardened into bones between skull bones

AGA

Appropriate for gestational age

CA/Ca

Cancer

EDB

Estimated date of birth

EDC

Estimated date of confinement

EGA

Estimated gestational age

OB/GYN

Obstetrics and gynecology