female reproductive system

adnexa of the uterus

fallopian tubes, ovaries, and supporting ligaments

amnion

innermost membrane surrounding the embryo and fetus

areola

dark-pigmented area surrounding the breast nipple

bartholin glands

small mucus-secreting exocrine glands at the vaginal orifice

cervix

lower, neck-like portion of the uterus

chorion

outermost membrane surrounding the embryo and fetus; it forms the fetal part of the placenta

clitoris

organ of sensitive erectile tissue anterior to the opening of the female urethra

coitus

sexual intercourse; copulation

corpus luteum

empty ovarian follicle that secretes progesterone after the release of the egg cell

cul-de-sac

region in the lower abdomen, midway between the rectum and uterus

embryo

stage in prenatal development from 2-8 weeks

endometrium

inner, mucous membrane lining if the uterus

estrogen

hormone produced by the ovaries and by the placenta during pregnancy; promotes female secondary sex characteristics

fallopian tube

one of a pair of ducts through which the ovum travels to the uterus; also called an oviduct

fertilization

union of the sperm and ovum from which the embryo develops

fetus

stage in prenatal development from 8 weeks to birth

fimbriae

finger or fringe like projections at the end of fallopian tubes

follicle-stimulating hormone

secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate maturation of the egg cell

gamete

male or female sexual reproductive cell; sperm cell or ovum

genitalia

reproductive organs; also called genitals

gestation

time period from fertilization of the ovum to birth; pregnancy

gonad

female or male reproductive organs that produces sex cells and hormones; ovary or testis

gynecology

study of the female reproductive organs, including the breasts

human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)

hormone produced by the placenta to sustain pregnancy by stimulating the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone

hymen

mucous membrane partially or completely covering the opening to the vagina

labia

lips of the vagina; labia majora are the larger, outermost lips, and labia minora are the smaller, innermost lips

lactiferous ducts

tubes that carry milk from the mammary glands to the nipple

luteinizing hormone (LH)

secreted by the pituitary gland to promote ovulation

mammary papilla

nipple of the breast

menarche

beginning of the first menstrual period and ability to reproduce

menopause

gradual ending of menstruation

menstruation

monthly shedding of the uterine lining. the flow of blood and tissue normally discharged during menstruation is called the menses

myometrium

muscle layer of the uterus

neonatology

study of the medical care of the newborn

obstetrics

branch if medicine and surgery concerned with pregnancy and childbirth

orifice

an opening

ovarian follicle

developing sac enclosing each ovum within the ovary

ovary

one of a pair of female organs (gonads) on each side of the pelvis that are almond shaped, the size of large walnuts, and produce eggs and hormones

ovulation

release of the ovum from the ovary

ovum

mature egg cells (female gamete)

parturition

act of giving birth

perimetrium

outermost layer of the uterus

pituitary gland

endocrine gland at the base of the brain

placenta

vascular organ attached to the uterine wall during pregnancy

pregnancy

gestation

progesterone

hormone produced by the corpus luteum in the ovary and the placenta of a pregnant woman

puberty

period of adolescent development at which secondary sex characteristics appear and gametes are produced

uterus

hollow, pear shaped muscular female organ in which the embryo and fetus develop, and from which menstruation occurs

vagina

muscular, mucosa lined canal extending from the uterus to the exterior of the body

vulva

external female genitalia; includes the labia, hymen, clitoris, and vaginal orifice

zygote

stage in prenatal development from fertilization and implantation up to 2 weeks

amni/o

amnion

bartholin/o

bartholin gland

cervic/o

cervix, neck

chori/o, chorion/o

chorion

colp/o

vagina

episi/o

vulva

galact/o

milk

gynec/o

woman, female

hyster/o

uterus, womb

lact/o

milk

mamm/o

breast

mast/o

breast

men/o

menses, menstruation

metr/o, metri/o

uterus

my/o, myom/o

muscle, muscle tumor

nat/i

birth

obstetr/o

pregnancy and childbirth

o/o

egg

oophor/o

ovary

ov/o

egg

ovari/o

ovary

ovul/o

egg

perine/o

perineum

phor/o

to bear

salping/o

fallopian tubes

uter/o

uterus

vagin/o

vagina

vulv/o

vulva

-arche

beginning

-cyesis

pregnancy

-gravida

pregnant

-parous

bearing, bringing forth

-rrhea

discharge

-salpinx

fallopian (uterine) tube

-tocia

labor, birth

-version

act of turning

dys-

painful

endo-

within

in-

in

intra-

within

multi-

many

nulli-

no, not, none

pre-

before

primi-

first

retro-

backward