Physical Assessment: Genitalia, Rectum, Prostate, and Breasts

Vocabulary flashcards covering anatomy, physical assessment techniques, clinical terminology, and common pathologies of the female genitalia, male genitalia, anorectal region, prostate, and breasts.

Clitoris

A small erectile body in the female external genitalia that is homologous with the male penis.

Vestibular (Bartholin) Glands

Glands located in the female external genitalia that secrete a clear lubricating mucus.

Menopause

The permanent cessation of menses accompanied by a rapid decrease in female hormones, diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without menstruation, typically occurring between ages 48 and 51.

Perimenopause

The transitional period preceding menopause, typically occurring between 40 and 55 years of age, characterized by hot flashes, mood swings, and menstrual irregularity.

Polymenorrhea

Menstrual cycles occurring at abnormally frequent intervals of less than 21 days.

Oligomenorrhea

Abnormally infrequent or scanty menstrual bleeding.

Metrorrhagia

Bleeding that occurs between regular menstrual cycles (intermenstrual bleeding).

Stress Incontinence

The involuntary loss of small amounts of urine provoked by increased intra-abdominal pressure during physical activities such as coughing, sneezing, or exercising.

Urge Incontinence

The involuntary loss of large amounts of urine occurring unexpectedly, including during sleep, often due to sudden overactive bladder contractions.

Overflow Incontinence

The unexpected leakage of small amounts of urine resulting from incomplete bladder emptying and overdistention.

Gardasil 9

The sole HPV vaccine available in the United States as of 2020; targets four low-risk types plus five high-risk types of HPV, providing protection against 90% of cervical cancers.

Phimosis

A condition in which the uncircumcised foreskin is too tight to be retracted or pulled back over the glans penis.

Paraphimosis

An entrapment condition in which a retracted foreskin cannot be pulled forward to cover the glans penis, leading to constriction and swelling.

Hypospadias vs. Epispadias

Hypospadias is a congenital displacement where the urethral meatus opens on the ventral (under) aspect of the penis, whereas epispadias features a meatus opening on the dorsal (upper) surface.

Testicular Torsion

An emergency condition caused by twisting of the spermatic cord, which abruptly impedes blood flow and leads to testicular ischemia.

Cryptorchidism

Failure of one or both testicles to descend through the inguinal canal into the scrotum, serving as a primary risk factor for testicular cancer.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

A non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland resulting from an imbalance between cell proliferation and programmed cell death, affecting roughly 80% of men over age 60 and creating bladder outlet obstruction.

Melena

Dark, black, and tarry feces resulting from the digestion of blood from an upper gastrointestinal bleeding source.

Steatorrhea

Pale yellow, greasy, fatty stool associated with fat malabsorption syndromes, such as celiac disease or cystic fibrosis.

Tail of Spence

A superior lateral extension of breast tissue extending into the axilla from the upper outer quadrant, which represents the anatomical location where the majority of breast tumors develop.

Polythelia (Supernumerary Nipple)

The congenital persistence of an accessory or extra nipple along the embryonic milk line track; typically flat, inverted, and non-functional.

Thelarche

The beginning of breast development, serving as the earliest physical manifestation of female puberty.

Colostrum

A yellow precursor fluid to mature breast milk that contains protein and lactose and is rich in antibodies; expressible by the fourth month of pregnancy and immediately postpartum.

Fibroadenoma

A benign, well-demarcated breast lesion common in young women aged 15 to 25 that palpates as fine, round, mobile, and nontender.

Vertical Strip Pattern

The recommended palpation method for breast examinations to optimize lump detection, performed from high in the axilla downward along the midaxillary line.

BREAST (Acronym)

A clinical mnemonic outlining cardinal signs of advanced breast malignancy: Breast mass, Retraction, Edema, Axillary mass, Scaly nipple, and Tender breast.

Gynecomastia

A benign enlargement of male breast glandular tissue that may present unilaterally or bilaterally; can occur due to medications, anabolic steroid exposure, or liver disorders.