Female Reproductive System: Organs, Glands, Word Parts, and Disorders

Flashcards covering the organs, anatomical structures, glands, combining forms, prefixes, suffixes, and common diseases and disorders of the female reproductive system.

ovaries

Almond-shaped organs located in the pelvic cavity; form and store egg cells (ova) and produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

ovulation

The release of an egg from the ovaries, which can then travel through the fallopian tubes to the uterus.

ovum (pl. ova)

Female egg cell.

graafian follicles

Microscopic sacs that make up a large portion of the ovaries, each containing an immature ovum. Normally one develops to maturity between puberty and menopause.

fallopian tubes

Pair of tubes attached to the uterus that provide a passageway for the ovum to move from the ovary to the uterus (also called uterine tubes).

fimbria (pl. fimbriae)

Finger-like projection at the free end of the fallopian tube.

uterus

Pear-sized and shaped muscular organ that lies in the pelvic cavity; its functions are menstruation, pregnancy, and labor.

endometrium

Inner lining of the uterus.

myometrium

Muscular middle layer of the uterus.

perimetrium

Outer protective layer of the uterus that secretes watery serous fluid to reduce friction (also called uterine serosa).

corpus

Large central portion of the uterus (also called uterine body).

fundus

Rounded upper portion of the uterus.

cervix (Cx)

Narrow lower portion of the uterus.

vagina

Passageway between the uterus and the outside of the body.

hymen

Fold of membrane found near the opening of the vagina.

clitoris

Network of erectile tissue and nerves with external and internal components; the major body of the structure is located inside the body.

glans clitoris

External portion of the clitoris protruding below the shelter formed where the labia majora meet in the anterior portion of the vulva (the shelter is called the clitoral hood).

body (clitoris)

Internal erectile tissue posterior to the glans clitoris, extending distally and branching around the vagina (also called shaft).

crura (s. crus)

Internal erectile tissue branching from the clitoral body posteriorly, forming long structures often called legs.

clitoral bulbs

Internal erectile tissue located between the crura and vaginal wall that increases in size during sexual stimulation.

vulva

External genitals of the female reproductive system, including the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, glans clitoris, urinary meatus, and vaginal opening.

perineum

Pelvic floor in the male and female reproductive systems. In the female, it refers to the area between the vaginal opening and the anus.

Bartholin glands

Pair of mucus-producing glands located on each side of the vagina, near the vaginal opening (also called greater vestibular glands).

breasts

Milk-producing glands (also called mammary glands); each breast consists of 15 to 20 divisions or lobules.

mammary papilla

Breast nipple.

areola

Pigmented area around the breast nipple.

gynec/o

Combining form meaning woman, female reproductive organs.

hymen/o

Combining form meaning hymen.

hyster/o

Combining form meaning uterus.

mamm/o

Combining form meaning breast.

mast/o

Combining form meaning breast.

men/o

Combining form meaning menstruation.

metr/o

Combining form meaning uterus.

oophor/o

Combining form meaning ovary.

pelv/i

Combining form meaning pelvis, pelvic cavity.

perine/o

Combining form meaning perineum.

salping/o

Combining form meaning fallopian tube (uterine tube).

trachel/o

Combining form meaning cervix.

vagin/o

Combining form meaning vagina.

vulv/o

Combining form meaning vulva.

hemat/o

Combining form meaning blood.

hydr/o

Combining form meaning water.

leuk/o

Combining form meaning white.

my/o

Combining form meaning muscle(s), muscle tissue.

olig/o

Combining form meaning scanty, few.

py/o

Combining form meaning pus.

cervic/o

Combining form meaning cervix.

colp/o

Combining form meaning vagina.

endometri/o

Combining form meaning endometrium.

episi/o

Combining form meaning vulva.

a-

Prefix meaning absence of, without.

dys-

Prefix meaning painful, abnormal, difficult, labored.

endo-

Prefix meaning within.

peri-

Prefix meaning surrounding (outer).

-al

Suffix meaning pertaining to.

-algia

Suffix meaning pain.

-cele

Suffix meaning hernia, protrusion.

-cleisis

Suffix meaning surgical closure.

-ectomy

Suffix meaning excision, surgical removal.

-gram

Suffix meaning the record, radiographic image.

-graphy

Suffix meaning process of recording, radiographic imaging.

-ic

Suffix meaning pertaining to.

-itis

Suffix meaning inflammation.

-logist

Suffix meaning one who studies and treats (specialist, physician).

-logy

Suffix meaning study of.

-osis

Suffix meaning abnormal condition.

-pexy

Suffix meaning surgical fixation.

-plasty

Suffix meaning surgical repair.

-rrhagia

Suffix meaning excessive bleeding.

-rrhaphy

Suffix meaning suturing, repairing.

-rrhea

Suffix meaning flow, discharge.

-salpinx

Suffix meaning fallopian tube (uterine tube).

-scope

Suffix meaning instrument used for visual examination.

-scopic

Suffix meaning pertaining to visual examination.

-scopy

Suffix meaning visual examination.

-tomy

Suffix meaning cut into, incision.

cervicitis

Inflammation of the cervix.

endometriosis

Abnormal condition of the endometrium, where endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus.

endometritis

Inflammation of the endometrium.

hematosalpinx

Blood in the fallopian tube.

hydrosalpinx

Water in the fallopian tube (a clear, watery fluid collects in the tube and can cause blockage).

mastitis

Inflammation of the breast.

menometrorrhagia

Excessive bleeding from the uterus at menstruation and between menstrual cycles (heavy and irregular bleeding).

menorrhagia

Excessive bleeding at menstruation (heavy bleeding in a regular, cyclical pattern); also called heavy menstrual bleeding.

metrorrhagia

Excessive bleeding from the uterus (irregular, out-of-cycle bleeding ranging from heavy to light, including spotting); also called intermenstrual bleeding.