Female Repro. System

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms and their definitions related to the female reproductive system, disorders, diagnostics, and treatments.

Ovaries

Primary female reproductive organs producing estrogen, progesterone, and egg cells.

Estrogen

Female sex hormone promoting sexual development, supporting menstruation, and regulating pregnancy.

Progesterone

Hormone produced by ovaries; regulates menstruation and maintains early pregnancy.

Ovum

Egg cell; fertilization typically occurs in fallopian tubes.

Labium majus (labia majora)

Outer paired lips surrounding the vagina; fatty tissue, muscle, hair, and glands.

Labium minus (labia minora)

Inner paired folds surrounding the vagina; thin and highly vascularized.

Vestibular glands (Bartholin’s glands)

Glands near vaginal opening; provide moisture and lubrication during sexual arousal.

Vulva

External female genitalia: labia, clitoris, and surrounding structures.

Mons pubis

Pad of fat in front of the vulva, covered with pubic hair; overlies the pubic symphysis.

Pubic symphysis

Joint at the front of the pelvis where the two sides meet.

Clitoris

Erectile, highly sensitive organ contributing to sexual pleasure.

Vagina

Muscular canal from cervix to outside; receives penis and serves as birth canal.

Cervix

Lower part of the uterus connecting with the vagina.

Uterus

Hollow muscular organ where a fetus develops; contracts during childbirth.

Fallopian tubes

Tubular structures connecting ovaries to uterus, transporting eggs; site of fertilization.

Endometrium

Inner lining of the uterus; responds to hormones and sheds during menstruation.

Endometriosis

Endometrial tissue outside the uterus, causing inflammation and pain.

Ovarian cyst

Fluid-filled sac on an ovary (functional or other types).

Ruptured ovarian cyst

Burst functional ovarian cyst, often causing sudden pain.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

Condition with multiple ovarian cysts and hormonal imbalance, leading to infertility.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Infection of uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, usually bacterial.

Uterine myoma (uterine fibroid)

Benign tumor of the uterus from the myometrium.

Myometrium

Muscular middle layer of the uterine wall.

Vaginitis

Inflammation of the vagina, often due to infection or irritation.

Vaginal yeast infection

Fungal infection of the vagina, commonly by Candida species.

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)

Abnormal epithelial cell growth on the cervix, often associated with HPV.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Virus causing most cervical cancers and cervical dysplasia.

Cervical carcinoma

Cervical cancer.

Dyspareunia

Pain during or after sexual intercourse.

Amenorrhea

Absence of a menstrual period (primary or secondary).

Primary amenorrhea

Absence of menses by age 15 or 16. (No prior menstruation).

Secondary amenorrhea

Absence of menses after having started previously. (Cessation after initial menstruation).

Polymenorrhea

Menstrual periods occurring every two to three weeks (very frequent).

Oligomenorrhea

Infrequent or very light menstrual periods.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Severe mood symptoms weekly before menses, most months. (Impacts daily life).

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Physical and emotional symptoms weekly before a menstrual period. (Less severe than PMDD).

Dystocia

Difficult labor and delivery.

Ectopic pregnancy

Embryo growth outside uterine cavity, most commonly in fallopian tubes.

Tubal (tubal) pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy located in the fallopian tube.

Placental abruption

Separation of placenta from uterus before or during labor.

Placenta previa

Abnormal attachment of placenta to the lower uterus.

Preeclampsia

High blood pressure and protein in urine during pregnancy.

Eclampsia

Seizures caused by severe preeclampsia.

Postpartum preeclampsia

Preeclampsia occurring after childbirth.

Hysterosalpingography

Imaging test, contrast to view uterus and fallopian tubes via X-ray.

Hysteroscopy

Examination of the inside of the uterus and cervix using a hysteroscope.

Colposcopy

Examination of vagina and cervix with a magnifying instrument (colposcope).

Conization (cone biopsy)

Removal of a cone-shaped wedge of cervical tissue for diagnosis or treatment.

Endometrial biopsy

Removal of a small sample of endometrial tissue for lab analysis.

Endovaginal ultrasound (transvaginal ultrasound)

Ultrasound with a transducer in the vagina to image uterus and ovaries.

Ultrasound transducer

Probe emitting and receiving ultrasound waves for imaging.

Pap smear

Exfoliative cytology test to detect cervical abnormalities or infection.

Intrauterine device (IUD)

Contraceptive device placed inside the uterus.

Colpoplasty

Surgical reconstruction of the vagina or creation of one.

Colpopexy

Anchoring of a prolapsed vagina to surrounding abdominal tissues.

Episiotomy

Surgical incision in the perineum during childbirth to enlarge the vaginal opening.

Hysterectomy

Surgical removal of the uterus.

Total (complete) hysterectomy

Removal of the uterus and cervix.

Subtotal (partial) hysterectomy

Removal of the uterus, leaving the cervix intact.

Radical hysterectomy

Removal of uterus, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes (often with lymph nodes).

Hysteropexy

Surgical repositioning of a prolapsed uterus to restore support.

Uterovaginal prolapse

Dropping of the uterus into the vagina.

Salpingectomy

Removal of a fallopian tube.

Oophorectomy

Removal of an ovary.

Salpingo-oophorectomy

Removal of a fallopian tube and its ovary.

Radical trachelectomy

Removal of the cervix while preserving the uterus for fertility.

Trachelectomy

Surgical removal of the cervix.

LEEP (Loop electrosurgical excision procedure)

Use of a charged loop to remove abnormal cervical cells.

Ovarian torsion

Twisting of an ovary (and sometimes fallopian tube) cutting off blood flow; surgery may be required.

Tubal occlusion

Blockage of the fallopian tubes, preventing fertilization.

Cryptomenorrhea

Obstruction of menstrual blood flow.