click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Female Repro-Chabner
Terminology of the Female Reproductive System
Term | Definition |
---|---|
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 |
cervix | lower, neck-like portion of the uterus |
chorion | outermost layer of the two membranes surrounding the embryo; it forms the fetal pert of the placenta |
clitoris | organ of sensitive erectile tissue anterior to the opening of the female urethra |
coitus | sexual intercourse; copulation |
corpus luteum | empty ovarian follicle that secretes progesterone after release of the egg cell |
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 forms |
fetus | stage in development from 8 weeks to birth |
fimbriae | 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 |
gamete | male or female reproductive cell |
genitalia | reproductive organs |
gestation | period from fertilization of the ovum to birth |
gonad | female or male reproductive organ that produces sex cells and hormones |
gynecology | study of the female reproductive organs including the breasts |
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) | hormone produced by the placenta to sustain pregnancy by stimulating the mother's 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 |
menarche | beginning of the first menstrual period during puberty |
menopause | gradual ending of the menstruation |
menstruation | monthly shedding of the uterine lining. the flow of blood and tissue normally discharged during menstruation is called menses |
myometrium | muscular layer of the uterus |
neonatology | branch of medicine that studies the disorders and care of the newborn |
obstetrics | branch of medicine concerned with pregnancy and childbirth |
orifice | an opening |
ovarian follicle | developing sac enclosing each ovum withing the ovary. only about 400 of these sacs mature in a woman's lifetime |
ovary | one of a pair of female organs on each side of the pelvis. diamond shaped, about the size of large walnuts, and produce egg cells and hormones |
ovulation | release of the ovum from the ovary |
ovum | egg cell |
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 if 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 the ability to reproduce begins; secondary sex characteristics appear and gametes are produced |
uterine srosa | outermost layer surrounding the uterus |
uterus | hollow, pear-shaped muscular female organ in which the embryo and fetus develop, and from which menstruation occurs |
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 | fertilized egg cell |
carcinoma of the cervix | malignant cells within the cervix |
cervicitis | inflammation of the cervix |
carcinoma of the endometrium | malignant tumor of the uterus |
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 in the ovary |
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) | inflammation and infection of organs in the pelvic region; salpingitis, oophoritis, endometritis, endocervicitis |
carcinoma of the breast | 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 seperation 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 |
placenta previa | placental implantation over the cervical os (opening) or in the lower region of the uterine wall |
preeclampsia | abnormal condition associated with pregnancy, marked by high blood pressure, proteinuria (loss of protein in urine), and edema |
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 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 in the brain |
meconium aspiration syndrome | abnormal inhalation of meconium (first stools) produced by a fetus or newborn |
pyloric stenosis | narrowing of the opening of the stomach to the duodenum |
pap smear | microscopic examination of stained cells removed from the vagina and cervix |
pregnancy test | blood or urine test to detect presence of hCG |
hysterosalpingography | 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 ultrasoography | recording images of sound waves s 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 of the cervix and scraping the endometrium of the uterus |
exenteration | removal of internal organs |
laparoscopy | visual examination of the abdominal cavity using an endoscope (laparoscope) |
tubal ligation | blocking the fallopian tubes to fertilization from occuring |
abortion | 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 villi sampling (CVS) | sampling of placental tissues 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 to facilitate fertilization |
pelvimetry | measurement of the dimensions of the maternal pelvis |