Female Reproductive System

Oophorotomy

Surgical incision into an ovary.

Oophoropexy

Surgical fixation of an ovary (attaching it to another structure).

Ovariocentesis

Surgical puncture of an ovary to remove fluid.

Oophoritis

Inflammation of an ovary

Oophorectomy

Surgical removal of an ovary.

Oophorostomy

Surgical creation of an opening into an ovary.

Oocyte

An egg cell (female reproductive cell).

Oogenesis

The process of egg (ovum) formation.

Salpingectomy

Surgical removal of a fallopian tube.

Salpingitis

Inflammation of a fallopian tube.

Salpingopexy

Surgical fixation of a fallopian tube.

Salpingography

X-ray imaging of the fallopian tubes using contrast dye.

Salpingostomy

Surgical opening created into a fallopian tube.

Salpingo-oophorectomy

Surgical removal of a fallopian tube and ovary.

Laparoscopic salpingectomy

Minimally invasive surgical removal of a fallopian tube using a laparoscope.

Uteralgia

Pain in the uterus.

Hysterectomy

Surgical removal of the uterus.

Hysteroscope

Instrument used to view the inside of the uterus.

Hysteroptosis

Downward displacement (prolapse) of the uterus. (H….)

Metroptosis

Prolapse (dropping) of the uterus. (M….)

Metrorrhagia

Bleeding between menstrual periods.

Menometrorrhagia

Excessive bleeding during and between menstrual periods.

Metritis

Inflammation of the uterus.

Menorrhagia

Abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.

Menarche

First menstrual period (start of menstruation).

Menopause

Natural end of menstrual cycles.

Thelarche

Beginning of breast development during puberty.

Pubarche

Beginning of pubic hair development during puberty.

Amenorrhea

Absence of menstrual periods.

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstrual cramps.

Oligomenorrhea

Infrequent or very light menstrual periods.

Polymenorrhea

Very frequent menstrual periods.

Hysterosalpingogram

X-ray image of the uterus and fallopian tubes using contrast dye.

Subtotal hysterectomy

Removal of the uterus while leaving the cervix intact.

Uterus involution

Natural shrinking of the uterus back to its pre-pregnancy size after childbirth.

Cystocele

When the wall between the bladder and vagina weakens, causing the bladder to bulge or sag into the vagina.

Rectocele

When the wall between the rectum and vagina weakens, allowing the rectum to bulge into the vaginal wall.

Endometriosis

A condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining (endometrium) grows outside the uterus.

Fibroids (Leiomyoma)

Non-cancerous tumors of the muscle layer (myometrium) of the uterus.

Hysteroscopic myomectomy

Removal of uterine fibroids using a hysteroscope inserted through the vagina and cervix.

Cervicitis / Trachelitis

Inflammation of the cervix.

Cervicectomy / Trachelectomy

Surgical removal of the cervix.

Papanicolaou Smear

A screening test that collects cells from the cervix to check for cervical cancer or abnormal changes.

Vaginitis

Inflammation of the vagina.

Vaginomycosis

Fungal infection of the vagina.

Colposcope

Instrument used to examine the vagina and cervix.

Culdocentesis

POD (pouch of Douglas) puncture to remove fluid for diagnosis.

Culdoscope

Instrument used to view the pelvic organs through the vaginal wall (via the posterior vaginal fornix).

Culdoscopy

Visual examination of the pelvic organs using a culdoscope.

Amniocentesis

A procedure in which a small amount of amniotic fluid is removed for testing.

Puerperium

The 6-week period after childbirth until the uterus returns to its normal size.

Fetoscope

Instrument used to listen to the fetal heartbeat.

Placenta praevia

Placenta is positioned low in the uterus and covers part or all of the cervix.

Abruptio placentae

Premature separation of the placenta from the uterus.

Gravidity

Total number of confirmed pregnancies a female has had, regardless of the outcome.

Parity

Number of births a female has had after 20 weeks gestation.

Tocology

The study of childbirth and delivery.

Tocodynagraph

Instrument for recording uterine contractions.

Parturition

The act or process of giving birth.

Obstetrics

Medical specialty dealing with pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care.

Tocodynamometry

Measurement of uterine contractions.

Eutocia

Normal or easy childbirth.

Dystocia

Difficult or abnormal childbirth.

Oxytocia

Rapid or quick childbirth.

Shoulder dystocia

Complication during delivery where the baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone.

Mammography

Imaging technique using X-rays to examine the breasts

Mammogram

The X-ray image of the breast taken during a mammography.

Mammoplasty

Surgical repair or reconstruction of the breast.

Mastectomy

Surgical removal of one or both breasts.

Lactogenic

Causing or stimulating milk production.

Lactiferous

Relating to or carrying milk; milk-carrying ducts in the breast.