Medical Terminology - Diagnostic Procedures & Treatment of the Female Reproductive System

cervicography

the process of recording the uterine cervix through photography

hysterosalpingography (HSG)

an x-ray procedure in which a contrast medium is used to view the uterus and fallopian tubes

mammography

recording the breast to detect breast cancer

pelvimetry

recording the measurement of the birth canal (the pelvic outlet)

sonography

the use of high-frequency sound waves to view the pelvis in a pelvic sonography and uterus in sonohysterography; transvaginal sonography is a recording of the pelvic cavity obtained through a probe inserted in the vagina

colposcopy

viewing the vagina

culdoscopy

viewing the rectouterine pouch

hysteroscopy

viewing the uterus

culdocentesis

the removal of fluid and cells of the rectouterine pouch to detect dysplasia

hormone levels

measured in specimens of blood or other body tissues to evaluate different conditions

Pap smear

a procedure performed to detect vaginal and cervical cancer

Pregnancy test

available in two forms: 1) over-the-counter test that examines urine for hCG or 2) a serum (blood) pregnancy test to measure a quantitative hCG

alpha-fetoprotein test (AFP)

performed between 14 and 19 weeks of gestation to detect conditions such as neural tube defects

aminocentesis

the removal and analysis of a sample of amniotic fluid to detect fetal abnormalities

apgar score

an examination that uses a set of criteria to rate the physical health of an infant 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth

congenital hypothyroidism test

detect deficient hormones

phenylketonuria (PKU) test

detect a deficiency of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, which is responsible for converting phenylalanine (in some foods) into tyrosine

oophorectomy

removal of one or both ovaries

oophorocystectomy

removal of an ovarian cyst

salpingectomy

removal of one or both fallopian tubes

salpingolysis

removal of adhesions in the fallopian tubes in hopes of fertility

cervicectomy

the removal of the cervix of the uterus

dilation and curettege (D&C)

a procedure that widens (dilates) the cervix until a curette can be inserted to remove (currettege) the lining of the uterus

hysterectomy

the removal of the uterus

hysteropexy

suspension and fixation of the uterus

loop electrocautery excision procedure (LEEP)

a procedure that remove abnormal cells from the cervix (cervical dysplasia)

uterine artery embolization (UAE)

the injection of particles to block a uterine artery providing blood to a fibroid

colpopexy

the fixation of the vagina to an adjacent structure to hold it in place

colpoplasty

the surgical repair of the vagina

hymenotomy

an incision of the hymen to enlarge the vaginal opening

culdoplasty

a surgical repair of the rectouterine pouch

pelvic exenteration

the removal of the contents of the pelvic cavity; performed to control a widespread cancer

lumpectomy

the removal of a tumor from the breast

mastectomy

the removal of the entire breast

mammoplasty

the surgical or cosmetic repair of the breast

theleplasty

the surgical or cosmetic repair of the nipple

mastopexy

a reconstructive procedure to lift and fixate the breasts

cephalic section

the process of turning the fetus so that the head is at the cervical outlet for delivery

cesarean section (CS, C-section)

the delivery of an infant through a surgical abdominal incision

vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC)

the delivery of an infant vaginally after a C-section

artificial insemination (AI)

the introduction of semen into the vagina by mechanical purposes

gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)

a process in which the ova and sperm are mixed in a laboratory and then injected into the fallopian tubes

in vitro fertilization (IVF)

fertilization of the ova outside of the mother’s body and then implanted in the uterus of the mother or surrogate

salpingosalpingostomy

the rejoining of a cut fallopian tube to display openess

sterilization

preventing a woman from becoming pregnant

tubal ligation

cutting, tying, and burning of the fallopian tubes to prevent released ova from being fertilized

abstinence

avoidance of sexual intercourse

rhythm method

a natural family planning method that consists of charting the menstrual cycle to understand fertile and infertile periods

abortifacient

medications that terminate pregnancy

emergency contraceptive pill (ECP)

medications that can prevent pregnancy after unprotected vaginal intercourse

oral contraceptive pill (OCP) / birth control pill (BCP)

contains estrogen and progesterone; taken daily to suppress ovulation

spermicides

foams or gels that are inserted into the vagina or coated inside a male condom before intercourse to kill sperm

bromocriptine

(Parlodel) an oral medication used with in vitro fertilization to reduce the level of prolactin, which suppresses ovulation

clomiphene

(Clomid, Serophene) an oral medication that stimulates the pituitary gland to produce the hormones that trigger ovulation

oxytocic

a medication that induces labor

tocolytic

prevents preterm labor by prohibiting uterine contractions