Chapter 8: The Language of Medicine (Terms)

Adnexa of the uterus

Fallopian tubes, ovaries, and supporting ligaments.

Amnion

Innermost membrane surrounding the embryo and fetus.

Areola

Dark-pigmented area surrounding the breast nipple.

Bartholin glands

Small mucus-secreting exocrine glands at the vaginal orifice (opening to outside of the body).

Cervix

Lower, neck-like portion of the uterus.

Chorion

Outermost membrane surrounding the embryo and fetus; forms the fetal part of the placenta.

Clitoris

Organ of sensitive erectile tissue anterior to the opening of the female urethra.

Coitus

Sexual intercourse; copulation.

Corpus luteum

Empty ovarian follicle that secretes progesterone after release of the egg cell.

Cul-de-sac

Region in the lower abdomen between the rectum and the uterus.

Embryo

Stage in prenatal development from 2 to 8 weeks.

Endometrium

Inner, mucous membrane lining of the uterus.

Estrogen

Hormone produced by the ovaries and the placenta during pregnancy; promotes female secondary sex characteristics.

Fallopian tube

One of a pair of ducts through which the ovum travels to the uterus; also called an oviduct.

Fertilization

Union of the sperm and ovum from which the embryo develops.

Fetus

Stage in prenatal development from 8 weeks to birth.

Fimbriae

Finger- or fringe-like projections at the end of the fallopian tubes.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate maturation of the egg cell (ovum).

Gamete

Male or female reproductive cell; sperm cell or ovum.

Genitalia

Reproductive organs; also called genitals.

Gestation

Time period from fertilization of the ovum to birth; pregnancy.

Gonad

Male or female reproductive organ that produces sex cells and hormones; ovary or testis.

Gynecology

Study of the female reproductive organs, including the breasts.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Hormone produced by the placenta to sustain pregnancy by stimulating the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone.

Hymen

Mucous membrane partially or completely covering the opening to the vagina.

Labia

Lips of the vagina; labia majora are the larger outer lips, and labia minora are the smaller inner lips.

Lactiferous ducts

Tubes that carry milk from the mammary glands to the nipple.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Secreted by the pituitary gland to promote ovulation.

Mammary papilla

Nipple of the breast.

Menarche

Beginning of the first menstrual period and ability to reproduce.

Menopause

Gradual ending of menstruation.

Menstruation

Monthly shedding of the uterine lining; the flow of blood and tissue is called the menses.

Myometrium

Muscle layer of the uterus.

Neonatology

Study of the medical care of the newborn (neonate).

Obstetrics

Branch of medicine and surgery concerned with pregnancy and childbirth.

Orifice

An opening.

Ovarian follicle

Developing sac enclosing each ovum within the ovary. Only about 400 mature during a woman's lifetime.

Ovary

One of a pair of female gonads on each side of the pelvis; produces egg cells (ova) and hormones.

Ovulation

Release of the ovum from the ovary.

Ovum

Mature egg cell (female gamete); develops from immature egg cells called oocytes.

Parturition

Act of giving birth.

Perimetrium

Outermost layer of the uterus; uterine serosa.

Perineum

In females, the area between the anus and the vagina.

Pituitary gland

Endocrine gland at the base of the brain; produces hormones that stimulate the ovaries and regulate other endocrine organs.

Placenta

Vascular organ attached to the uterine wall during pregnancy; exchanges oxygen, nutrients, and wastes between mother and fetus.

Pregnancy

Gestation.

Progesterone

Hormone produced by the corpus luteum in the ovary and the placenta during pregnancy.

Puberty

Period of adolescent development during which secondary sex characteristics appear and gametes are produced.

Uterus

Hollow, pear-shaped muscular female organ where the embryo and fetus develop.

Vagina

Muscular, mucosa-lined canal extending from the uterus to the exterior of the body.

Vulva

External female genitalia, including the labia, hymen, clitoris, and vaginal orifice.

Zygote

Stage in prenatal development from fertilization and implantation up to 2 weeks.

Fibrocystic breast disease

Numerous small sacs of fluid surrounded by dense strands of fibrous tissue in the breast.

Abruptio placentae

Premature separation of the normally implanted placenta.

Choriocarcinoma

Malignant tumor of the placenta.

Ectopic pregnancy

Implantation of a fertilized egg outside the uterus.

Multiple gestations

Presence of more than one embryo developing in the uterus during pregnancy.

Placenta previa

Implantation of the placenta over the cervical opening or in the lower region of the uterus.

Breast cancer

Malignant tumor of the breast (arising from milk glands and ducts).

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Inflammation and infection of organs in the pelvis and abdomen; salpingitis, oophoritis, endometritis, and cervicitis.

Ovarian cysts

Fluid-filled sacs within the ovary.

Ovarian cancer

Malignant tumor of the ovary (adenocarcinoma).

Cervicitis

Inflammation of the cervix.

Endometrial cancer (carcinoma of the endometrium)

Malignant tumor of the uterine lining (adenocarcinoma).

Endometriosis

Endometrial tissue located outside the uterus.

Fibroids

Benign tumors in the uterus.

Cervical cancer (carcinoma of the cervix)

Malignant cells within the cervix.

Abortion (AB)

Termination of pregnancy.

Amniocentesis

Needle puncture of the amniotic sac to withdraw amniotic fluid for analysis.

Cesarean section

Surgical incision of the abdominal wall and uterus to deliver a fetus.

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

Sampling of placental tissues (chorionic villi) for prenatal diagnosis.

Fetal monitoring

Recording of the fetal heart rate and maternal uterine contractions to assess fetal status and labor progress.

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

Egg and sperm cells are combined outside the body in a laboratory dish (in vitro) to facilitate fertilization.

Laparoscopy

Visual examination of the abdominal cavity using an endoscope (laparoscope).

Tubal ligation

Blocking the fallopian tubes to prevent fertilization from occurring.

Dilation and curettage (D&C)

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

Exenteration

Removal of internal organs within a cavity.

Fine needle aspiration

Withdrawal of fluid or tissue from a cyst or solid mass by suction with a needle.

Cauterization

Destruction of tissue by burning.

Colposcopy

Visual examination of the vagina and cervix using a colposcope.

Conization

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

Cryosurgery

Use of cold temperatures to destroy tissue.

Hysterosalpingography (HSG)

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

Mammography

X-ray imaging of the breast.

Breast ultrasound imaging and breast MRI

Technologies using sound waves and a magnetic field to create images of breast tissue.

Pelvic ultrasonography

Recording images of sound waves as they bounce off organs in the pelvic region.

Hydrocephalus

Accumulation of fluid in the spaces of the brain.

Meconium aspiration syndrome

Abnormal inhalation of meconium by a fetus or newborn.

Pyloric stenosis

Narrowing of the opening of the stomach to the duodenum.

Pap test (Pap smear)

Microscopic examination of cells removed from the vagina and cervix.

Pregnancy test

Blood or urine test to detect the presence of hCG.

Preeclampsia

Abnormal condition associated with pregnancy, marked by high blood pressure, proteinuria, edema, and headache.

Down syndrome

Genetic chromosome abnormality (trisomy 21) that can cause distinct facial appearance, intellectual disability, and developmental delays.

Hemolytic disease in the newborn (HDN)

Destruction of red blood cells in the newborn caused by blood group incompatibility between the mother and the fetus.

Infant respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS)

Acute lung disease commonly seen in the premature newborn.

AB

Abortion

AFP

Alpha-fetoprotein; high levels in amniotic fluid of the fetus or maternal serum indicate increased risk of neurologic birth defects in the infant.

ART

Assisted reproductive techniques, including IVF and sperm donation.

BRCA1/BRCA2

Breast cancer 1 and 2 genes; mutations associated with increased risk for breast cancer.

BSE

Breast self-examination.