Chapter 9- reproductive system

fertilization

Union of the male and female gametes to form a zygote, leading to the development of a new individual.

gamete

Reproductive cell (spermatozoon in the male and ovum in the female).

infertility

Persistent inability to conceive a child.

neonate

Infant from birth to 28 days of age.

postpartum

Occurring after childbirth.

gynecology

The medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of female reproductive disorders.

obstetrician

A physician who specializes in obstetrics.

urology

The branch of medicine specializing in treating disorders of the male reproductive system.

hysterectomy

Excision or removal of the uterus.

lactogenesis

Process of forming milk.

menorrhagia

Bursting forth of menses; heavy menstrual bleeding.

cervicitis

Inflammation of the cervix.

varicocele

Dilated vein of the spermatic cord.

amniocentesis

Surgical puncture of the amniotic sac to remove amniotic fluid for fetal cell analysis.

dilation and curettage (D&C)

Surgical procedure that widens the cervical canal of the uterus and scrapes the endometrium.

pseudocyesis

False pregnancy; condition in which a woman believes she is pregnant but is not.

ectopic pregnancy

Implantation of the fertilized ovum outside of the uterine cavity.

benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Gradual enlargement of the prostate gland that commonly occurs as a man ages.

cryptorchidism

Failure of one or both testicles to descend into the scrotum.

hysterosalpingography

Radiography of the uterus and oviducts after injection of a contrast medium.

gynecologist

Physician specializing in treating disorders of the female reproductive system.

spermatogenesis

The process by which sperm cells are produced in the male reproductive system.

ovulation

The release of an ovum from the ovary.

amenorrhea

The absence of menstruation.

gestation

The period of development of the embryo or fetus inside the womb.

chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

A prenatal test that involves taking a sample of tissue from the placenta.

prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test

A blood test used to screen for prostate cancer.

fertility drugs

Medications that stimulate ovulation in women or increase sperm production in men.

fetal monitoring

Tracking the heart rate and other vital signs of a fetus during pregnancy.

preterm labor

Labor that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

amnion

The innermost membrane that encloses the embryo in the uterus.

testis

Male reproductive gland that produces sperm and hormones.

ovary

Female reproductive gland that produces ova (eggs) and hormones.

spermatozoon

Mature male reproductive cell (sperm).

ovum

Mature female reproductive cell (egg).

vas deferens

Tube that carries sperm from the testes to the urethra.

fallopian tube

Tube through which ova travel from the ovary to the uterus.

endometrium

Inner lining of the uterus, where a fertilized egg implants.

rectocele

Herniation of the rectum into the vaginal wall.

menopause

Period marking the end of a female's reproductive years.

androgen

Any hormone that promotes the development of male characteristics.

estrogen

Hormone responsible for the development of female characteristics.

perineum

Area between the anus and the genital organs.

vasectomy

Surgical procedure for male sterilization by cutting the vas deferens.

hysteria

Psychological condition once believed to be specific to women, characterized by emotional excess.

luteinizing hormone (LH)

Hormone that triggers ovulation and stimulates the production of testosterone.