Chapter 8 Female Reproductive System

Ovaries

female gonads

Gonads

Where gametes are produced

Fallopian tube

carry the ovum from the ovary to the uterus

Uterus

muscular female reproductive organ

Coitus

copulation, sexual intercourse

Fertilization

when sperm penetrates the ovum

Zygote

a ball of cells immediately after fertilization occurs

Embryo

2-8 week gestation

Gestation

period of development in the uterus

Menarche

very first menstrual cycle

Placenta

implants in the uterine lining during the early stages of pregnancy to help nourish the embryo/fetus

Menstruation

monthly shedding of the uterine lining and bleeding in the absence of fertilization

Estrogen

a hormone released by the ovaries, important in the development of female sexual characteristics; also involved in stimulating the ovarian follicles to mature; helps thicken the endometrial lining to receive the fertilized ovum

Progesterone

a hormone released by the corpus luteum in the ovary; helps maintain the endometrium thick for implantation

Pituitary Gland

pea-sized gland attached to the base of the brain important in controlling growth and development and the functioning of the other endocrine glands

Neonatology

a subspecialty of pediatrics that consists of the medical care of newborn infants

Ovulation

releasing of a mature ovum

Corpus Luteum

produces progesterone and secretes hormones that maintain the very first stages of pregnancy

Corpus

upper 2/3 of the uterus

Cervix

lower cylindrical 1/3 of the uterus

Vagina

A canal about 3” long extending from the cervix to the exterior of the body

Blastocyst

Zygote travels through the fallopian tube and implants in the uterus as a ball of cells than forms into an embryo

Mammary papilla

breast nipple

Areola

dark pigmented area around the mammary papilla

Colostrum

first 2-3 days after delivery, breasts secrete a thin, yellowish fluid

Oxytocin

propels the milk along the lactiferous ducts

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

symptoms which occur before menstruation: depression, breast tenderness, fluid retention and irritability

Amenorrhea

absence of menstruation for 3 months or more

Cryptomenorrhea

menses occurs but there is no external manifestation, due to an obstructive lesion of the lower genital canal

Dysmenorrhea

painful menses

Menorrhagia

abnormal pre-menopausal bleeding due to irregular endometrial shedding

Metrorrhagia

irregular bleeding

Oligomenorrhea

infrequent menstrual bleeding

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

stimulates the corpus luteum to produce hormones until the 3rd month of pregnancy, then the placenta takes over estrogen & progesterone production

Cephalic presentation

normal delivery position of the fetus (head first)

Braxton’s Hick’s

painless contractions of the uterus throughout gestation

Chadwick’s sign

violet discoloration of the vaginal mucosa, presumptive evidence of pregnancy

Dystocia

difficult birth

Engorgement

excessive venous and lympathic stasis of lactating breasts, AKA caked breasts

Gestation

intrauterine development of the infant

Gravida

pregnancy women

Multipara

woman who has given birth to 2 or more children

Parturient

women in labor

Pica

peculiar cravings of the pregnancy woman for strange foods or inedibles

Primipara

women who has delivered her first child after the period of viability

Quickening

the pregnant woman’s first perception of fetal life, usually 18-20 weeks

Vernix caseosa

fatty substance covering newborn

Episiotomy

a surgical cut in the muscular area between the vagina and the anus (perineum) made just before delivery to enlarge the vaginal opening

Follicle-stimulating hormone & Luteinizing hormone

secreted by the pituitary and they stimulate maturation of the ovum and ovulation

Contraception

used to prevent pregnancy

IUD

intrauterine device, form of contraception and a small device designed to remain in the uterus used to prevent implantation of the embryo

Anterflexion

normal uterine position; bent forward

Retroflexion

uterus is bent backward

Retroversion

uterus and cervix are bent backward

Prolapse

downward displacement of the uterus which may protrude into the vagina

Carcinoma of the cervix

most common cancer affecting women

risk factors include smoking, oral contraceptive use and chlamydia infection

Carcinoma in situ

development of pre-malignant lesions

Invasive cervical cancer

a more advanced stage in which a tumor is present

Cervicitis

inflammation of the cervix

Carcinoma of the Endometrium (endometrial cancer)

malignant tumor of the uterine lining and most common malignancy of the female genital tract

Endometriosis

endometrial tissue located outside the uterus which induces a chronic inflammatory reaction, scar tissue, and adhesions

Endometrioma (chocolate cyst)

benign, estrogen-dependent cyst found in women of reproductive age with endometriosis - collection of endometrial tissue

contain thick, old blood that appears as a brown fluid

Fibriods - leiomyomas

most common benign tumor in women of childbearing age

may be located anywhere within the uterus, hanging from the uterus or rarely outside of the uterus

Ovarian carcinoma

malignant tumor of the ovary, more commonly adenocarcinoma

most common types: Serous and Mucinous Cystadenocarcinomas

Ovarian Cysts

collection of fluid within a sac in or on the ovary

Dermoid Cyst

AKA mature cystic teratoma, benign ovarian cyst that contains hair, skin, teeth, cartilage, bone, and fat

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Inflammation and infection of the organs in the pelvic regions which causes scarring

causes salpingitis, oophoritis, endometritis, endocervitis

Breast Cancer

malignant, arises from milk glands and ducts

most common type of invasice ductal carcinoma

BRCA1 and BRCA2

mutations in these genes lead to an increased risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer as part of hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome

Fibrocystic Breast Disease

numerous benign cysts within the breasts and affected women have painful, lumpy breasts

Abruptio placentae

premature separation of the implanted placenta

Ectopic pregnancy

implantation outside of the normal uterine location

Placenta previa

placental implantation over the cervical os (opening) or in the lower region of the uterus

Choriocarcinoma

malignant tumor of the placenta

Multiple gestations

more than one fetus inside the uterus

Preeclampsia

abnormal conditions in pregnancy marked by high BP, proteinuria, edema and headaches

Erythroblastosis Fetalis

hemolytic disease in the newborn caused by a blood group (Rh factor) incompatibility between the fetus and mother

may cause hydrops fetalis

Hyaline Membrane Disease

AKA Respiratory Disease Syndrome of the Newborn (RDS), acute lung disease in premature newborns caused by a decrease in surfactant

Hydrocephalus

accumulation of fluid in the spaces of the brain

Meconium aspiration syndromes

abnormal inhalation of first stools produced by a fetus or newborn

Pyloric stenosis

narrowing of the opening of the stomach to the duodenum, causing projectile vomiting

APGAR Scoring Chart: appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, respiration

assessment of newborn, scoring 1-5 minutes after birth, maximum score is 10

Pap smear

microscopic exam of stained cells removed from the vagina and cervix

Hysterosalpingography (HSG)

X-ray imaging of the fallopian tubes and uterus after injecting of contrast using a special formed of x-ray called fluoroscopy

Mammography

X-ray imaging of the breast

Aspiration

Withdrawal of fluid from a cavity with suction

Cauterization

destruction of tissue by burning

Colposcopy

visual examination of the vagina and cervix using a colposcope

Cryosurgery

use of cold temperatures to destroy tissue

Conization

removal of a cone-shaped section (cone biopsy) of the cervix

Culdocentesis

needle aspiration of fluid from the cul de sac (blind pouch or cavity that is closed at one end)

Dilatation and curettage

widening the cervix and scraping off the endometrial lining of the uterus

Exenteration

removal of internal organs within a cavity

Laparoscopy

visual examination of the abdominal cavity suing an endoscope

Tubal ligation

blocking of the fallopian tubes to prevent fertilization from occuring

Amniocentesis

needle puncture of the amniotic sac to withdraw amniotic flui for analysis

Cesarean section

surgical incision of the abdominal wall and uterus to deliver a fetus

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

sampling of placental tissue (chorion villi) for prenatal diagnosis

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

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

Pelvimetry

measurement of the dimensions of the maternal pelvis