Chapter 8: Female Reproductive System

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the female reproductive system and pregnancy based on the lecture material.

Sexual Reproduction

The union of the nuclei of the ovum and sperm cell.

Gametes

The ovum and sperm cells, which each contain $23$ chromosomes.

Gonads

The organs where gametes are produced, specifically the ovaries in females and testes in males.

Fallopian tubes

Structural components that carry the ovum from the ovary to the uterus.

Fertilization

The process that occurs when a sperm cell penetrates the ovum.

Zygote

A ball of cells immediately after fertilization occurs.

Embryo

The stage of gestation between $2$ and $8$ weeks.

Gestation

The period of development in the uterus, also known as pregnancy.

Menarche

The very first menstrual cycle.

Menopause

The end of menstruation, which usually occurs between the ages of $45-55$.

Placenta

A structure that implants in the uterine lining during early pregnancy to help nourish the embryo or fetus.

Estrogen

A hormone released by the ovaries that is important for female sexual characteristics and helps thicken the endometrial lining.

Progesterone

A hormone released by the corpus luteum in the ovary that helps maintain the thickness of the endometrium for implantation.

Pituitary gland

A pea-sized gland attached to the base of the brain that controls growth, development, and other endocrine glands.

Gynecology

The medical practice dealing with the health of the female reproductive systems and the breasts.

Obstetrics

The field of study concentrated on pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

Neonatology

A subspecialty of pediatrics that consists of the medical care of newborn infants.

Ovulation

The releasing of the mature ovum from the Graafian Follicle of the ovary.

Corpus Luteum

The structure that the Graafian follicle becomes after ovulation; it produces progesterone to ready the endometrium for implantation.

Cervix

The lower cylindrical 1/3 of the uterus, also known as the neck.

Vagina

A canal about $3"$ long extending from the cervix to the exterior of the body.

Fimbria

Finger-like projections that cause a slight suction into the fallopian tubes to move the fluid containing the ovum.

Blastocyst

A ball of cells that travels through the fallopian tube and implants in the uterus between day $5-9$.

Areola

The deeply pigmented area surrounding the nipple.

Colostrum

A thin, yellowish fluid secreted by the breasts for the first $2-3$ days after delivery.

Prolactin

The hormone that initiates lactation and induces the secretion of milk after parturition.

Oxytocin

The hormone that propels milk along the lactiferous ducts.

Amenorrhea

The absence of menstruation for $3$ months or more.

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menses.

Menorrhagia

Abnormal pre-menopausal bleeding due to irregular endometrial shedding.

Metrorrhagia

Irregular bleeding.

Oligomenorrhea

Infrequent menstrual bleeding.

Amnion

The membrane that holds the fetus in an amniotic cavity.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

A hormone produced by the placenta that stimulates the corpus luteum until the third month of pregnancy.

Cephalic presentation

The normal delivery position of the fetus where the head comes first.

Effacement

The process during labor where the cervix dilates and thins out.

Involution

The process where the uterus decreases in size due to the contraction of smooth muscle fibers in the myometrium following delivery.

Braxton's Hick's

Painless contractions of the uterus occurring throughout gestation.

Chadwick's sign

Violet discoloration of the vaginal mucosa that serves as presumptive evidence of pregnancy.

Dystocia

A difficult birth.

Gravida

A pregnant woman.

Multipara

A woman who has given birth to $2$ or more children.

Parturient

A woman in labor.

Pica

Peculiar cravings of the pregnant woman for strange foods or inedibles.

Quickening

The pregnant woman's first perception of fetal life, usually occurring at $18-20$ weeks.

Vernix caseosa

The fatty substance covering a newborn.

Episiotomy

A surgical cut in the perineum made just before delivery to enlarge the vaginal opening.

Carcinoma in situ (CIS)

The development of pre-malignant lesions in the cervix.

Cervicitis

Inflammation of the cervix, often caused by a sexually transmitted disease.

Endometriosis

A condition where endometrial tissue is located outside the uterus, inducing chronic inflammatory reactions and pain.

Endometrioma

A benign, estrogen-dependent cyst containing thick, old brown blood, also known as a Chocolate cyst.

Fibroids

The most common benign tumor in women of childbearing age, also known as leiomyomas.

Dermoid Cyst

A benign ovarian cyst, also known as a mature cystic teratoma, containing hair, skin, teeth, and bone.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Inflammation and infection of pelvic region organs typically caused by Gonorrhea and Chlamydia.

Abruptio placentae

A pregnancy pathology involving the premature separation of the implanted placenta.

Ectopic pregnancy

Implantation of the fertilized egg outside of its normal uterine location.

Placenta previa

A condition where the placenta implants over the cervical os or in the lower region of the uterus.

Preeclampsia

An abnormal condition in pregnancy marked by high blood pressure, proteinuria, edema, and headaches.

Erythroblastosis Fetalis

A hemolytic disease in newborns caused by Rh factor incompatibility between mother and fetus.

Hyaline Membrane Disease

An acute lung disease in premature newborns caused by a decrease in surfactant, also known as Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS).

Hydrocephalus

The accumulation of fluid in the spaces of the brain.

Pyloric stenosis

A narrowing of the opening of the stomach to the duodenum that causes projectile vomiting.

APGAR Scoring

An assessment of a newborn based on Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration.

Hysterosalpingography (HSG)

X-ray imaging of the uterus and fallopian tubes after the injection of contrast material.

Colposcopy

Visual examination of the vagina and cervix using a colposcope.

Conization

The removal of a cone-shaped section (cone biopsy) of the cervix.

Culdocentesis

Needle aspiration of fluid from the cul-de-sac.

Dilatation and curettage (D & C)

Widening the cervix and scraping off the endometrial lining of the uterus.

Tubal ligation

The blocking of the fallopian tubes to prevent fertilization.

Amniocentesis

A needle puncture of the amniotic sac to withdraw fluid for analysis.

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

The combination of egg and sperm outside the body in a laboratory dish to facilitate fertilization.

Coombs' test

A test for antiglobulins in erythrocytes used to diagnose hemolytic anemias.