PALM 200 - Female Reproductive System

breasts

modified sweat glands that produce milk

areola

pigmented area around the breast nipple

lactiferous ducts

channels that carry breast milk to the nipple

lobes of mammary glands

15-20 separate portions of the mammary gland that radiate from the central area deep to the nipple-like wheel spokes and comprise the body of the mammary gland; each is drained by a single lactiferous duct

lactiferous sinuses

expanded chambers that converge on the nipple surface

lobules o mammary gland

subdivisions of the lobes of the mammary gland that make breast milk; also called lactiferous lobules

nipple

projection on the breast surface through which milk can be secreted

genitalia

external and internal organs of reproduction

ovaries

pair of oval reproductive glands that produce hormones and release oocytes

oocyte

female gamete or sex cell; when fertilized by a sperm, it develops into an ovum and is capable of developing into a new individual

corpus luteum

temporary endocrine gland formed in the ovary that secretes the hormone progesterone during the second half of the menstrual cycle

menstrual cycle

period of time in which an oocyte matures, is ovulated, and enters the uterus through the uterine tubes; during this time, ovarian hormonal secretions effect endometrial changes; if fertilization does not occur, the endometrium is shed and menstrual flow begins; the cycle lasts about 28 days

vesicular ovarian follicles

fluid filled sacs in the ovaries in which the primary oocyte matures

ovum

oocyte that has been fertilized by a spermatozoon; an egg cell

uterine tubes

tubular structures that carry the oocyte from the ovary to the uterus (fallopian tube)

fimbriae

finger-like extensions of each uterine tube that drape over each ovary

uterus

pear-shaped organ located in the middle of the pelvis that supports a growing embryo and fetus and is the site of menstruation

adnexa

appendages or adjunct parts; consists of the uterine tubes, the ovaries, and the ligaments that hold them together

endometrium

inner layer that lines the uterus; this layer is shed during menstruation

myometrium

thick, muscular middle layer of the uterus

perimetrium

outer layer of the uterus that covers the body of the uterus and part of the cervix

cervix

tubular, lower portion of the uterus that opens into the vagina

cervical os

vaginal opening of the uterus; also called the external os of uterus

fundus

dome-shaped top portion of the uterus that lies above the entrance of the uterine tubes

vagina

muscular tube projecting inside a female that connects the uterus to the outside of the body

vulva

the female external genital organs

clitoris

small mass of erectile tissue in females that responds to stimulation

hymen

thin fold of mucous membrane covering the entrance to the vagina

greater vestibular glands

glands that keep the vagina moist and provide a lubricant for the vagina during sexual intercourse

labia

two sets of skin folds that cover the female external genital organs and tissues

labia majora

part of the labia that covers and protects the female external genital organs

labia minora

inner folds of the labia that surround the openings to the vagina and urethra

mons pubis

rounded mound of fatty tissue that covers the pubic bone

perineum

surface area between the thighs extending from the coccyx to the pubis that includes the anus posteriorly and the external genitalia anteriorly

vaginal orifice

opening of the vagina

vestibule

central space between the labia minora

amnion

inner layer of membrane surrounding the fetus and containing the amniotic fluid

amniotic fluid

fluid that encases the fetus and provides a cushion for the fetus as the mother moves

chorion

outermost membrane surrounding the fetus

conception

fertilization of an oocyte by a sperm

effacement

thinning of the cervix in preparation for delivery

embryo

the developing organism from conception until the end of the eighth week of gestation

fetus

developing embryo from the end of the eighth week of gestation until delivery

gamete

an organism’s reproductive cell, such as sperm or oocytes

gestation

period of development from fertilization until birth

human chorionic gonadotropin

hormone secreted by the fertilized ovum soon after conception

lactation

production of breast milk by the mammary glands after childbirth

lochia

normal vaginal discharge consisting of mucus, blood, and tissue debris following childbirth

ovulation

process of discharging an oocyte from an ovary

placenta

temporary organ implanted in the uterus through which the embryo/fetus receives nutrients and oxygen from the mother’s blood and passes waste through the umbilical cord

prolactin

hormone that stimulates breast growth and milk secretion

umbilical cord

connecting stalk between the embryo/fetus and the placenta that contains two arteries and one vein cord composed of blood vessels and connective tissue that is connected to the fetus from the placenta

zygote

cell resulting from the union of sperm and oocyte

vagina

colp/o

vulva

episi/o

woman

gyn/o, gynec/o

uterus

hyster/o

uterus

metr/o, metri/o

ovary

oophor/o

salpinx, uterine tube, fallopian tube

salping/o

amnion

amni/o, anmion/o

milk

galact/o

from conception to birth

gestat/o

pregnancy

gravid/o

breast, mammary gland

mast/o

birth

nat/o

scanty, few

olig/o

umbilicus, navel

omphal/ola

labor, birth

toc/o

none

nulli-

beginning

\-arche

weakness

\-asthenia

childbirth, labor

\-partum

estimated date of confinement

the sate an infant is expected to be born, calculated by counting forward 280 days (40 weeks) from the first day of the mother’s last menstrual period; also called the due date

fetal

pertaining to a fetus

gestational

pertaining to pregnancy

gravida

a pregnant woman

in vitro

in an artificial environment

intrauterine

within the uterus

last menstrual period

the date indicating the first day of a patient’s last menstruation

meconium

greenish-black first feces of a newborn

menarche

a girl’s first menstrual period

menstruation

cyclic shedding of endometrial lining and discharge of bloody fluid from the uterus; occurs approximately every 28 days of life

neonatal

pertaining to the period immediately after an infant’s birth and continuing through the first 28 days of life

neonate

a newborn infant

nulligravida

a woman who has never conceived a child

nullipara

a woman who has never given birth to a child

ovarian

pertaining to an ovary

para

a woman who has given birth

perineal

pertaining to the perineum

postpartum

the period of time after birth

prenatal

the period of time preceding birth

primigravida

a woman who has had one pregnancy

suprapubic

above the pubic bone

transabdominal

across or through the abdomen

transvaginal

across or through the vagina

stillbirth

the birth of an infant who has died before delivery

uterine

pertaining to the uterus

adenomyosis

the presence of endometrial tissue growing through the myometrium

amenorrhea

abnormal absence of menstrual bleeding