ch 17 Female Reproductive System vocab

Acanthosis nigricans

A disorder that causes darkening and thickening of the armpit and other body folds.

Acrochordons

Common benign skin growths that appear as small, raised, brown or skin-colored bumps; also called skin tags.

Amenorrhea

absence of menstruation

Androgens

Male sex hormones; for example, testosterone.

Antiandrogens

Substances that keep androgens (male sex hormones) from binding to proteins called androgen receptors. Preventing this binding blocks the effects of these hormones in the body.

Antibiotics

A drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms.

Antiretrovirals

Drugs that inhibit the ability of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other types of retroviruses to multiply in the body.

Asymptomatic

Having no signs or symptoms of disease.

Axilla

The underarm or armpit.

Bartholin's glands

Glands that produce a thick mucus that maintains moisture in the vulva area; also referred to as the greater vestibular glands.

Bilateral

Affecting both the right and left sides of the body.

Cervicitis

inflammation of the cervix

Colposcope

A lighted magnifying instrument used to check the cervix, vagina, and vulva for signs of disease.

Colposcopy

A procedure in which a lighted, magnifying instrument called a colposcope is used to examine the cervix, vagina, and vulva.

Contraception

The use of drugs, devices, or surgery to prevent pregnancy.

Douching

Washing the vagina with fluid.

Dysmenorrhea

painful menstruation

Dyspareunia

Genital pain before, during, or after intercourse.

Dysuria

painful urination

Endocrinology

A specialty in the field of medicine that focuses on the treatment of endocrine system disorders.

Endometriosis

A disease characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue found outside the uterus.

Endometritis

Inflammation of the endometrium.

Endometrium

The innermost layer of the uterus. It provides the site of implantation for a fertilized egg and sheds during menstruation if no egg is fertilized.

Endoscopy

A procedure that uses an endoscope to examine the inside of the body.

Fistula

An abnormal opening or passage between two organs or between an organ and the surface of the body.

Fornix

The superior portion of the vagina.

Gamete

A specialized sex cell carrying 23 chromosomes.

Gynecologist

A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating diseases of the female reproductive organs.

Gynecology

A medical-surgical specialty concerned with the physiology and disorders primarily of the female genital tract, as well as female endocrinology and reproductive physiology.

Hirsutism

A condition in which women and children have excess coarse body hair of an adult male distribution pattern as a result of elevated androgen levels.

Homeostasis

The state of steady internal conditions maintained by living things.

Hysterectomy

Surgery to remove the uterus and, sometimes, the cervix.

Hysterosalpingogram

A radiographic image of the uterus and fallopian (uterine) tubes.

Hysteroscope

An endoscope used for examining the interior of the uterus.

Hysteroscopy

Endoscopic examination of the uterus.

Inferior

A position below or lower than another part of the body proper.

Intramuscular

Within or into muscle.

Laparoscopy

A procedure that uses a laparoscope, inserted through the abdominal wall, to examine the inside of the abdomen.

Leukorrhea

white discharge from the vagina

Lumbago

Acute or chronic pain in the lumbar or sacral regions.

Mammography

The use of film or a computer to create a picture of the breast.

Mammogram

radiographic image of the breast

Mammoplasty

Surgical reconstruction of the breast, including both augmentation and reduction.

Mastalgia

The surgical procedure to remove all or part of a breast.

Mastitis

A condition in which breast tissue is inflamed.

Menarche

First menstruation in a pubertal female.

Menopause

The cessation of the menstrual cycle; is considered complete when a woman has not menstruated in a full year.

Menorrhagia

Excessive bleeding at menstruation.

Metrorrhagia

Excessive bleeding from the uterus not related to menstruation.

Oligomenorrhea

Abnormally infrequent menstruation.

Oocyte

Immature egg cell.

Oophorectomy

Surgery to remove one or both ovaries.

Oophoritis

inflammation of an ovary

Ovulation

Release of a secondary oocyte and associated granulosa cells from an ovary.

Papanicolaou smear (Pap test)

A procedure in which a small brush is used to gently remove cells from the surface of the cervix and the area around it so they can be checked under a microscope for cervical cancer or cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer.

Perimenopause

The transitional period before and after menopause wherein the menstrual cycle is irregular and hormone levels widely fluctuate.

Polyuria

Excessive urine production.

Prolapse

The protrusion of an organ or part of an organ into a natural or artificial orifice.

Proliferate

The ability to reproduce rapidly.

Puerperium

Time directly after childbirth.

Salpingectomy

Excision of one or both of the fallopian (uterine) tubes.

Salpingitis

Inflammation of a fallopian (uterine) tube.

Salpingo-oophorectomy

Surgical removal of the fallopian (uterine) tubes and ovaries.

Salpingostomy

creation of an artificial opening in a uterine tube

Speculum

An instrument used to widen an opening of the body to make it easier to look inside.

Superior

A position above or higher than another part of the body proper.

Trachelectomy

excision of the cervix

Tubal ligation

Surgical closure of the fallopian (uterine) tubes for sterilization.

Unilateral

pertaining to one side

Urethritis

inflammation of the urethra

Vaginal

pertaining to the vagina

Vaginosis

Abnormal condition of the vagina.

Vulvectomy

excision of the vulva

Vulvovaginitis

inflammation of the vulva and vagina