Module 12 - Female Reproductive System

mmmmm babies

Genitourinary system

The system of organs comprising those concerned with the production and excretion of urine and those concerned with reproduction.

Gynecology

The branch of medicine that is particularly concerned with the health of the female organs of reproduction.

Obstetrics

The branch of medicine dealing with pregnancy and labor; It’s concerned with the health of the woman and the fetus, from early in pregnancy through to a successful labor and delivery; Practitioners of this branch must be skilled in operative delivery, use of vacuum extractor, obstetric forceps, and caesarean section.

Areola

The red or dusky ring around the nipple; The increase in the duskiness of the areola on the breast is an important early sign of pregnancy.

Mammary glands

Glands on either side of the adult female chest, which with fatty tissue and the nipple, make up the breast and are female sex characteristics that develop during puberty.

Within each is a network of sacs that produce milk during lactation and send the milk to the nipple via a system of ducts.

Gonad (Module 12)

A gamete-producing reproductive gland; Ovary for female and testis for male.

Genitalia

The female reproductive organs; Includes internal and external structures; The internals are the ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina; The externals are the labia minora and labia majora (vulva) and the clitoris.

Vagina

The muscular canal that extends from the cervix to the outside of the body, usually about 6-7 inches in length and is lined with mucous membranes.

Hymen

A thin membrane that may completely or partially cover the vaginal opening before the first sexual intercourse but usually disappears before puberty.

Clitoris

A small mass of erectile tissue in the female that is situated at the anterior apex of the vulva, near the meeting of the labia majora (vulvar lips). Like the penis, this small mass is highly sensitive to stimulation during sex; This structure corresponds to the penis in males.

Perineum (module 12)

The area between the anus and the vulva in the female.

Vulva

The female external genital organs, including the labia, clitoris, and entrance to the vagina.

Uterus

A hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman’s lower abdomen, between the bladder and rectum; The middle layer is muscular tissue that expands during pregnancy to hold the growing fetus and contracts during labor to deliver the child.

Intrauterine cavity

The hollow space inside the uterus that is lined by the endometrium, a layer of mucous membranes.

Cervix

The low, narrow part of the uterus, which forms a canal taht opens from the uterus into the vagina.

Fundus (Module 12)

The part of a hollow organ that is across from, or farthest away from, the organ’s opening. Depending on the organ, the this designation may be at the top or bottom of an organ; Relative to this module, this term would describe the rounded dome at the top of the uterus.

Endometrium

The inner layer of the uterus.

Ovary

The female gonad, one of a pair of reproductive glands in women that lie on each side of the uterus. These glands produce ovum and female hormones.

Uterine tube / Fallopian tube / Oviduct

One of two tubes that transport eggs from the ovary to the uterus; They have small, hair-like projections (cilia) on the cells of the lining which move the egg through the tube into the uterus.

Menstrual cycle

The monthly cycle of changes in the ovaries and the endometrium, starting with the preparation of an egg for fertilization.

Menstruation

The periodic shedding of the endometrium and associated menstrual bleeding in the menstrual cycle; This is due to the decline in circulating progesterone, and occurs at the late luteal phase when luteolysis of the corpus lateum takes place.

Ovulation

The release of the ripe ovum from the ovary. The ovum is released when the cavity surrounding it (the follicle) breaks open in response to a hormonal signal; This occurs around 14 or 15 days from the first day of the woman’s last menstrual cycle; During this process, the ovum moves into the uterine tube and becomes available for fertilization.

Menarche

The first menstrual cycle marked by the initiation of menstruation.

Pregnancy

The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body; Can be indicated by positive results of an over-the-counter urine test and confirmed through a blood test, and ultrasound, or detection of a fetal heartbeat; Lasts for about 40 weeks, measured from the date of the woman’s last menstrual period, conventionally divided into three trimesters, three months each; The most important task of basic fetal cell differentiation occur during the 1st trimester, so any harm done to the fetus during this period is most likely to result in miscarriage or serious disability.

Obstetrical history

Involves a series of methodical questioning of an obstetric patient with the aim of developing a diagnosis or a differential diagnosis on which further management of the patient can be arranged.

Gravida

A pregnant woman. This term is often used in combination wth a number or figure to indicate the number of pregnancies a woman has had; Para is the number of births that a woman has had after 20 weeks gestation.

Nulligravida

A woman who has never been pregnant.

Primigravida

A woman who is undergoing her first pregnancy.

Gestation

The carrying of young in the uterus from conception to delivery.

Conception

The union of a sperm and an egg to create the first cell of a new organism; The beginning of pregnancy.

Fertilization

The process of combining the male gamete (sperm) with the female gamete (ovum). The product of this process is a cell called a zygote.

Peristalsis (Module 12)

A movement, caused by sequential muscle contraction, that pushes the contents of the intestines or other tubular organs in one direction; The mucous membranes of the uterine tubes contain cilia that move the egg and sperm through the tubes. The swaying motion of the cilia and rhythmic muscular contractions (peristaltic waves) of the tube walls work together while moving the egg and sperm.

Embryo

The term used to describe the zygote in the womb prior to the end of the second month (first trimester).

Fetus

The name given to the unborn child after the 8th week of development.

Prenatal period

The time between conception and birth, divided into three stages.
The germinal stage (zygote & placenta formation)
The embryonic stage (developing embryo)
The fetal state (two months to birth)

Trimester

In obstetrics, one of three divisions of three months each during pregnancy, in which different phases of fetal development take place.

Products of conception

Describes the grouping together of the fetus, the placenta, and all fluids and tissues in the pregnant uterus.

Amniotic fluid

The fluid bathing a fetus within the uterus, which serves as a shock absorber.

Placenta

A temporary organ that joins the mother and fetus, transferring oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the fetus and permitting the release of carbon dioxide and waste products from the fetus.

Umbilical cord

The fleshy tube containing two arteries and a vein through which the mother supplies the fetus with fresh oxygen and nutrients; It’s up to 60cm long and ceases to function after birth, where it is clamped and cut about 2-5cm from the infant’s abdominal wall. The stump shrivels and falls off within 2 weeks, forming the umbilicus.

Antepartum

An adjective describing an event in pregnancy before labor starts.

Colostrum

A sticky white or yellow fluid secreted by the breasts during the 2nd half of pregnancy and for a few days after birth, before breast milk comes in; It is high in protective antibodies that boost the newborn’s immune system

Engagement

The sensation that a pregnant woman feels when the lowermost part of the fetus descends and is engaged in the mother’s pelvis; This typically occurs 2 to 3 weeks before labor begins.

Dilation (Module 12)

The action of stretching or enlarging an organ or part of the body; During the birthing process, the cervix dilates (opens).

Effacement

The thinning of the cervix, which occurs before and while the cervix dilates; The cervix starts out about 3-4cm long. As the fetus’ head pushes down on the cervix, it begins to stretch, getting shorter and thinning out; When the mother is at 100%, the cervix will be paper-thin.

Rupture of Membranes (ROM)

The term used for when the amniotic sac breaks and the amniotic fluid is released into the vagina; This can happen before or during labor. Once the water is broken, it is considered to be the first state of labor; If this occurs before contractions start, it is called referred to with the word ‘premature’ in front of it.

Crowning

The appearance of the fetal scalp at the vaginal orifice in childbirth.

Involution

A shrinking or returning to a former size; Happens to the uterus after pregnancy.

Lactation

The process of milk production, which happens to occur in humans through the mammary glands; The hormone oxytocin is produced in response to the birth of a new baby, allowing it to stimulate uterine contractions and begin the milk-making process.

Postpartum

The period just after delivery and referring to the mother.

Identical twins / Monozygotic twins

Two children produced in the same pregnancy who developed from a single ovum and share identical genomes.

Fraternal twins / Dizygotic twins

Two children produced in the same pregnancy who developed from two ova, allowing them to have different genomes.

Neonate

A newborn baby, specifically a baby in the first 4 weeks after birth; After a month, this term no longer applies.

Fontanel

A soft spot of the skull of a newborn infant where the cartilage has not yet hardened into bone between the skull bones; There are normally two of these, both in the midline of the skull, denoted by being anterior and posterior to each other; The posterior part closes first, at latest by 8 weeks of age in a full-term baby. The anterior part closes around 18 months of age.

Mastitis

Inflammation of one or more mammary glands within the breast, usually in a lactating woman; Can be felt as a hard, sore spot within the breast. Can be caused by infection in the breast or by a plugged milk duct.

Fibrocystic breast disease

A common and benign breast disease characterized by varying degree of fibrocystic changes in the breast tissue; Three major patterns of morphological changes that can be observed, including fibrosis, formation of cysts, and proliferation of glandular tissue (adenosis); The breast may have a dense, irregular, lumpy, or bumpy consistency.

Breast cancer

A common form of cancer that begins in the breast with many types that differ in their capability of spreading to other body tissues (metastasis); Can occur in both men and women, although more commonly women; Some forms are genetic, and others are linked to exposure to cancer-causing substances, but most occur for unknown reasons.

Cystocele (Module 12)

Bulging of the bladder into the vagina.

Rectocele

Herniation of the rectum into the vagina.

Vaginitis

Inflammation of the vagina; A common condition often caused by a fungus; Other infectious causes include bacteria and parasites (Trichomonas); Symptoms include itching, burning, and discharge.

Salpingitis

Inflammation of the uterine tubes; Commonly caused by infection spreading upwards from the vagina, cervix, or uterus; One feature of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

Myometritis

Inflammation of the uterine myometrium.

Endometriosis

A non-cancerous condition in which tissue that looks like endometrial tissue grows in abnormal laces, most often in the abdomen; Although most women with this condition have no symptoms, pelvic pain during menstruation or ovulation can be a symptom.

Retroflexion of the uterus

A condition in which the uterus is found tilted backward toward the spine; The uterus is more commonly found in a straight vertical or anteverted (tipped forward) position; It is associated sometimes with pain, discomfort and pregnancy complications.

Cervical dysplasia

Abnormal development of immature squamous epithelial cells of the uterine cervix; This term is used to describe premalignant cytological changes in the cervical epithelium.

Uterine prolapse

Downward displacement of the uterus; Classified in various degrees.

Uterine prolapse — 1st Degree

Uterine prolapse in which the uterine cervix is within the vaginal orifice.

Uterine prolapse — 2nd Degree

Uterine prolapse in which the cervix is outside the orifice.

Uterine prolapse — 3rd Degree

Uterine prolapse in which the entire uterus is outside the orifice.

Abruptio placentae*

Premature separation (abruption) of the placenta from the wall of the uterus, often in association with high blood pressure with high blood pressure or preeclampsia; Potentially a serious problem for the mother and fetus where the area it occurs bleeds and the uterus begins to contract.

Anovulation*

Suspension of cessation of ovulation; Occurs when the ovaries do not release an oocyte (egg) during a menstrual cycle; A common cause of infertility.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome*

A hormonal problem that causes women to have symptoms such as irregular or no menstruation, acne, obesity, and excess hair growth; Women with this condition do not ovulate every month and are at increased risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer of the uterus.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

A combination of physical and mood disturbances that occur in the last half of a woman’s menstrual cycle, after ovulation, and normally ends with the onset of the menstrual flow; Physical features include breast tenderness and bloating; Psychological changes can include anger, mood changes, and depression.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)*

Condition in which a woman suffers from severe depression, irritability, and tension before menstruation; This condition may involve a wide range of physical or emotional symptoms, which are more severe and debilitating than those seen in PMS.

Menorrhagia

Excessive uterine bleeding or menstruation at the expected intervals of menstruation but lasts longer than usual; Can cause significant anemia; Can also be a sign of underlying disease such as hormone disorders, uterine fibroids, or cancer of the uterus.

Oligomenorrhea

Less menstrual blood than usual.

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation; Divided into two types—
Primary: Common menstrual cramps
Secondary: Caused by disorder in a woman’s reproductive organs.

Amenorrhea

The absence of a monthly menstrual period.

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB)

Abnormal uterine bleeding that is not related to menstruation, usually in females without a menstrual cycle; The irregular and unpredictable bleeding usually comes from a dysfunctional endometrium and caused by a hormonal imbalance; Also known as abnormal uterine bleeding or anovulatory bleeding.

Menopause

The time for a woman, usually in middle age, when menstrual periods end; Defined as the absence of menstrual periods for 12 consecutive months; This process naturally occurs when the ovaries begin decreasing their production of the sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone.

Candidiasis

Disease caused by the Candida albicans, yeast that can cause infections, diaper rash, skin rashes that emerge in moist warm folds of skins; and thrush (white patches inside the mouth & throat); Tends to develop when the normal balance of bacteria is upset (sometimes occurs with use of antibiotics).

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Ascending infection of the upper female genital tract, usually caused by bacteria migrating upward from the urethra and cervix into the upper genital tract; Most cases are associated with gonorrhea and chlamydial infections, two very common STDs.

Cervical cancer

A malignant tumor of the cervix; Regular pelvic exams and pap tests are of great importance and can detect precancerous changes in the cervix.

Ovarian cancer

A malignant tumor of the ovary; Woman who have a family history of this condition are at an increased risk of developing it; It is difficult to detect early because there are usually no symptoms and the symptoms that do occur tend to be vauge.

Carcinoma in situ (CIS)

Cancer that has stayed in the place where it began and has not spread to neighboring tissues.

Endometrial cancer / Uterine cancer

A type of cancer of the endometrium; These neoplasms can be benign or malignant; Their classification and grading are based on the various cell types and the percent of undifferentiated cells.

Leiomyoma / Fibroids

A common benign tumor of the uterus; Can be present without symptoms, however, about 25% of women have symptoms such as prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure or pain, and reproductive dysfunction.

Leiomyosarcoma*

A malignant tumor that originates in smooth muscle; Can occur anywhere in the body, but is most frequently found in the uterus and gastrointestinal tract.

Oligohydramnios

Too little amniotic fluid

Polyhydramnios

Too much amniotic fluid.

Nuchal cord

A complication of pregnancy in which the umbilical cord wraps around the fetal neck once or multiple times; It may or may not affect pregnancy outcome significantly; It can lead to restricted fetal blood flow, oxygen transport, fetal development, fetal movement, and complicated delivery.

Fetal distress

Compromise of a fetus during the antepartum period or intrapartum period (during birth process); Commonly used to describe fetal hypoxia (low oxygen levels) which can result in fetal damage or death; This condition can be detected via abnormal slowing of labor, changes in fetal heart rate, the presence of meconium or other abnormal substances in the amniotic fluid.

Premature labor

Is the onset of obstetric labor before term but usually after the fetus has become viable; Occurs sometime during the 29th through 38th week of pregnancy.

Placenta previa

Is abnormal placentation in which the placenta implants in the lower segment of the uterus and may cover part of all of the opening of the cervix; Often associated with serious antepartum bleeding and premature labor.I

Incompetent cervix

A cervix that has an abnormal tendency to dilate and so may not be able to keep a fetus from being spontaneously aborted (miscarried).

Ectopic pregnancy

A pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus; Usually occurs when fertilized egg settles and grows in the uterine tube instead of the uterus.

Dystocia

Difficult or abnormal labor or delivery; Typically caused by a large or awkwardly positioned fetus, by smallness of the mother’s pelvis or failure of the uterus and cervix to contract and expand normally.

Braxton Hicks contraction

An irregular contraction of the uterus that occurs toward the middle of a woman’s 1st pregnancy and earlier, and more intensely, in her subsequent pregnancies; Known as false labor; These may be quite uncomfortable and difficult to distinguish from true labor.

Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD)

A condition in which the head of the fetus is larger than the mother’s pelvis through which the fetal head must pass during a vaginal delivery.

Cephalic presentation

Known as head first presentation; At the time of delivery, any position of the baby in which the head presents; This may be the vertex (normal) - the easiest presentation to deliver; Abnormal instances of this include the brow, face, and posterior presentations; This is ideally with the baby positioned head-down, facing the mother’s back, with the chin tucked to its chest and the back of the head ready to enter the pelvis.