Female Reproductive System and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering diagnostic terms for the female reproductive system, pelvic disorders, and major bacterial and viral sexually transmitted diseases.

cervicitis

inflammation of the cervix

congenital anomalies

birth defects that cause abnormal development of an organ or a structure (e.g., double uterus or absent vagina); also known as congenital irregularities

dermoid cyst

congenital tumor composed of displaced embryonic tissue (teeth, bone, cartilage, and hair); typically found in an ovary

displacement of uterus

displacement of the uterus from its normal position

anteflexion

abnormal forward bending of the uterus (ante = before; flexus = bend)

retroflexion

abnormal backward bending of the uterus

retroversion

backward turn of the whole uterus; also called tipped uterus

endometriosis

condition characterized by migration of portions of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity

endometritis

inflammation of the endometrium

fibroid

benign tumor in the uterus composed of smooth muscle and fibrous connective tissue; also called fibromyoma or leiomyoma

fistula

abnormal passage, such as from one hollow organ to another (fistula = pipe)

rectovaginal fistula

abnormal opening between the vagina and rectum

vesicovaginal fistula

abnormal opening between the bladder and vagina

cervical neoplasia

abnormal development of cervical tissue cells

cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)

cervical tissue cell changes of the cervix, graded according to the extent of abnormal cell formation: CIN-1 (mild dysplasia), CIN-2 (moderate dysplasia), and CIN-3 (severe dysplasia)

carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the cervix

malignant cell changes of the cervix that are localized, without any spread to adjacent structures

menopause

cessation of menstrual periods caused by lack of ovarian hormones

oophoritis

inflammation of one or both ovaries

parovarian cyst

cyst of the uterine tube (fallopian tube)

pelvic adhesions

scarring of tissue within the pelvic cavity resulting from endometriosis, infection, or injury

pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

inflammation of organs in the pelvic cavity; usually includes the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and endometrium; most often caused by bacteria

pelvic floor relaxation

relaxation of supportive ligaments of the pelvic organs

cystocele

pouching of the bladder into the vagina

rectocele

pouching of the rectum into the vagina

enterocele

pouching sac of peritoneum between the vagina and the rectum

urethrocele

pouching of the urethra into the vagina

prolapse

descent of the uterus down the vaginal canal

salpingitis

inflammation of a fallopian tube

vaginitis

inflammation of the vagina with redness, swelling, and irritation; often caused by a specific organism, such as Candida (yeast) or Trichomonas (a sexually transmitted parasite)

atrophic vaginitis

thinning of the vagina and loss of moisture because of depletion of estrogen, which causes inflammation of tissue

vaginosis

infection of the vagina, with little or no inflammation, characterized by a milk-like discharge and an unpleasant odor; also known as nonspecific vaginitis

chlamydia

most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection in North America; often occurs with no symptoms and is treated only after it has spread, such as after causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

gonorrhea

contagious inflammation of the genital mucous membranes caused by invasion of the gonococcus Neisseria gonorrhea; refers to the urethral discharge characteristic of the infection, which was first thought to be a leakage of semen (gono = seed; rrhea = discharge); the genus is named for the Polish dermatologist Albert Neisser

syphilis

infectious disease caused by a spirochete transmitted via direct, intimate contact and that may involve any organ or tissue over time; usually manifests first on the skin, with the appearance of small, painless, red papules that erode and form bloodless ulcers called chancres

hepatitis B virus (HBV)

virus that causes an inflammation of the liver; transmitted through any body fluid, including vaginal secretions, semen, and blood

herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)

virus that causes ulcer-like lesions of the genital and anorectal skin and mucosa; after the initial infection, the virus lies dormant in the nerve cell root and may recur at times of stress

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), permitting various opportunistic infections, malignancies, and neurologic diseases; contracted through exposure to contaminated blood or body fluid (e.g., semen or vaginal secretions)

human papilloma virus (HPV)

virus transmitted by direct sexual contact; infection can manifest on the skin or mucous membranes of the genitals

condyloma acuminatum

lesion that appears as a result of human papilloma virus; on the skin, the lesions appear as cauliflower-like warts, and on mucous membranes, they have a flat appearance; also known as venereal or genital warts (pl. condylomata acuminata)