Question | Answer |
adnexa uteri | Fallopian tubes, ovaries, and supporting ligaments. |
amnion | Innermost membranous sac surrounding the developing 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 layer of the two membranes surrounding the embryo; it 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. Pronunciation is KŌ-ı˘-tus. |
corpus luteum | Empty ovarian follicle that secretes progesterone after release of the egg cell; literally means yellow (luteum) body (corpus). |
cul-de-sac | Region in the lower abdomen, midway 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; promotes female secondary sex characteristics. |
fallopian tube | One of a pair of ducts through which the ovum travels to the uterus. |
fertilization | Union of the sperm cell and ovum from which the embryo develops. |
fetus | Stage in prenatal development from 8 to 39 or 40 weeks. |
fimbriae (singular: fimbria) | 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 sexual reproductive cell; sperm cell or ovum. |
genitalia | Reproductive organs; also called genitals. |
gestation | Period from fertilization of the ovum to birth. |
gonad | Female or male 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 (-tropin) 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, outermost lips, and labia minora are the smaller, innermost lips. |
lactiferous ducts | Tubes that carry milk within the breast. |
luteinizing hormone (LH) | Hormone produced by the pituitary gland; promotes ovulation. |
mammary papilla | Nipple of the breast. A papilla is any small nipple-shaped projection. |
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 normally discharged during menstruation is called the menses (Latin mensis means month). |
myometrium | Muscle layer of the uterus. |
neonatology | Branch of medicine that studies the disorders and care of the newborn (neonate). |
obstetrics | Branch of medicine concerned with pregnancy and childbirth. |
orifice | An opening. |
ovarian follicle | Developing sac enclosing each ovum within the ovary. Only about 400 of these sacs mature in a woman's lifetime. |
ovary | One of a pair of female organs (gonads) on each side of the pelvis. Ovaries are almond-shaped, about the size of large walnuts, and produce egg cells (ova) and hormones. |
ovulation | Release of the ovum from the ovary. |
ovum ( plural: ova) | Mature egg cell (female gamete). Ova develop from immature egg cells called oocytes. |
parturition | Act of giving birth. |
Perineum | In females, the area between the anus and the vagina. |
pituitary gland | Endocrine gland at the base of the brain. It produces hormones to stimulate the ovaries. |
placenta | Vascular organ that develops in the uterine wall during pregnancy. It serves as a communication between maternal and fetal bloodstreams. |
pregnancy | Condition in a female of having a developing embryo and fetus in her uterus for about 40 weeks. |
progesterone | Hormone produced by the corpus luteum in the ovary and the placenta of pregnant women. |
puberty | Point in the life cycle at which secondary sex characteristics appear and gametes are produced. |
uterine serosa | Outermost layer surrounding the uterus. |
uterus | Hollow, pear-shaped muscular female organ in which the embryo and fetus develop, and from which menstruation occurs. The upper portion is the fundus; the middle portion is the corpus; and the lowermost, neck-like portion is the cervix |
vagina | Muscular, mucosa-lined canal extending from the uterus to the exterior of the body. |
vulva | External female genitalia; includes the labia, hymen, clitoris, and vaginal orifice. |
zygote | Stage in prenatal development from fertilization and implantation to 2 weeks. |
amni/o | amnion |
cervic/o | cervix, neck |
chori/o, chorion/o | chorion |
colp/o | vagina |
culd/o | cul-de-sac |
episi/o | vulva |
galact/o | milk |
gynec/o | woman, female |
hyster/o | uterus, womb |
lact/o | milk |
mamm/o | breast |
mast/o | breast |
men/o | menses, menstruation |
metr/o, metri/o | uterus |
my/o, myom/o | muscle, muscle tumor |
nat/i | birth |
obstetr/o | pregnancy and childbirth |
o/o | egg |
oophor/o | ovary |
ov/o | egg |
ovari/o | ovary |
ovul/o | egg |
perine/o | perineum |
phor/o | to bear |
salping/o | fallopian tubes |
uter/o | uterus |
vagin/o | vagina |
vulv/o | vulva |
-arche | beginning |
-cyesis | pregnancy |
-gravida | pregnant |
-parous | bearing, bringing forth |
-rrhea | discharge |
-salpinx | fallopian (uterine) tube |
-tocia | labor, birth |
-version | act of turning |
dys- | painful |
endo- | within |
in- | in |
intra- | within |
multi- | many |
nulli- | no, not, none |
pre- | before |
primi- | first |
retro- | backward |
carcinoma of the cervix | Malignant cells within the cervix (cervical cancer). |
cervicitis | Inflammation of the cervix. |
carcinoma of the endometrium (endometrial cancer) | Malignant tumor of the uterus (adenocarcinoma). |
endometriosis | Endometrial tissue located outside the uterus. |
fibroids | Benign tumors in the uterus. |
ovarian carcinoma | Malignant tumor of the ovary (adenocarcinoma). |
ovarian cysts | Collections of fluid within a sac (cyst) in the ovary. |
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) | Inflammation and infection of organs in the pelvic region |
carcinoma of the breast (breast cancer) | Malignant tumor of the breast (arising from milk glands and ducts). |
fibrocystic disease | Numerous small sacs of fibrous connective tissue and fluid in the breast. |
abruptio placentae | Premature separation of the implanted placenta. |
choriocarcinoma | Malignant tumor of the placenta. |
ectopic pregnancy | Implantation of the fertilized egg in any site other than the normal uterine location |
multiple gestation | More than one fetus inside the uterus. |
placenta previa | Implantation of the placenta over the cervical opening or in the lower region of the uterus. |
preeclampsia | Abnormal condition associated with pregnancy, marked by high blood pressure, proteinuria, edema, and headache. |
Down syndrome | Chromosomal abnormality (trisomy 21) results in mental retardation, retarded growth, a flat face with a short nose, low-set ears, and slanted eyes. |
erythroblastosis fetalis | Hemolytic disease in the newborn (HND) caused by a blood group (Rh factor) incompatibility between the mother and the fetus. |
hyaline membrane disease | Acute lung disease commonly seen in the premature newborn. |
hydrocephalus | Accumulation of fluid in the spaces of the brain. |
meconium aspiration syndrome | Abnormal inhalation of meconium (first stool) produced by a fetus or newborn. |
pyloric stenosis | Narrowing of the opening of the stomach to the duodenum. |
Pap test | Microscopic examination of stained cells removed from the vagina and cervix. |
pregnancy test | Blood or urine test to detect the presence of hCG. |
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 magnetic waves to create images of breast tissue. |
pelvic ultrasonography | Recording images of sound waves as they bounce off organs in the pelvic region. |
aspiration | Withdrawal of fluid from a cavity or sac with an instrument using suction. |
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. |
culdocentesis | Needle aspiration of fluid from the cul-de-sac. |
dilation (dilatation) and curettage (D&C) | 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 using an endoscope (laparoscope). |
tubal ligation | Blocking the fallopian tubes to prevent fertilization from occurring. |
abortion (AB) | Spontaneous or induced termination of pregnancy before the embryo or fetus can exist on its own. |
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 | Continuous recording of the fetal heart rate and maternal uterine contractions to reduce fetal distress during labor. |
in vitro fertilization (IVF) | Egg and sperm cells are combined outside the body in a laboratory dish (in vitro) to facilitate fertilization. |
pelvimetry | Measurement of the dimensions of the maternal pelvis. |
AB | abortion |
AFP | alpha-fetoprotein—high levels in amniotic fluid of fetus or maternal serum indicate increased risk of neurologic birth defects in the infant. |
ASCUS | atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance—the Pap smear is abnormal but does not meet the criteria for a specific lesion. |
AUB | abnormal uterine bleeding |
BRCA1 BRCA2 | breast cancer 1 and 2—genetic mutations associated with increased risk for breast cancer |
BSE | breast self-examination |
CA 125 | protein marker elevated in ovarian cancer (normal range of values is 0 to 35) |
C-section | cesarean section |
CIN | cervical intraepithelial neoplasia |
CIS | carcinoma in situ |
CS | cesarean section |
CVS | chorionic villus sampling |
Cx | cervix |
D&C | dilation (dilatation) and curettage |
DCIS | ductal carcinoma in situ; a precancerous breast lesion that indicates a higher risk for invasive ductal breast cancer |
DES | diethylstilbestrol—an estrogen compound used in the treatment of menopausal problems involving estrogen deficiency; if administered during pregnancy, it has been found to be related to subsequent tumors in the daughters of mothers so treated. |
DUB | dysfunctional uterine bleeding |
ECC | endocervical curettage |
EDC | estimated date of confinement |
EMB | endometrial biopsy |
FHR | fetal heart rate |
FSH | follicle-stimulating hormone |
G | gravida (pregnant) |
GnRH | gonadotropin-releasing hormone—secreted by the hypothalamus to stimulate release of FSH and LH from the pituitary gland |
GYN | gynecology |
HCG | human chorionic gonadotropin |
HDN | hemolytic disease of the newborn |
HPV | human papillomavirus |
HRT | hormone replacement therapy |
HSG | hysterosalpingography |
IUD | intrauterine device; contraceptive |
IVF | in vitro fertilization |
LAVH | laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy |
LEEP | loop electrocautery excision procedure |
LH | luteinizing hormone |
LMP | last menstrual period |
LSH | laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy |
multip | multipara; multiparous |
OB | obstetrics |
OCPs | oral contraceptive pills |
para 2-0-1-2 | a woman's reproductive history: 2 full-term infants, 0 preterm, 1 abortion, and 2 living children |
Pap test | Papanicolaou smear—test for cervical or vaginal cancer |
Path | pathology |
PID | pelvic inflammatory disease |
PMS | premenstrual syndrome |
primip | primipara; primiparous |
RDS | respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn |
TAH-BSO | total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy |
TRAM flap | trans–rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap—for breast reconstruction |
UAE | uterine artery embolization |
VH | vaginal hysterectomy |