Term | Definition |
external genitalia | reproductive organs visible on the outside of the body |
gestation | length of time from conception until birth |
lactation | production and release of milk by mammary glands |
orifice | entrance or outlet of any anatomical structure |
amni/o | amnion, amniotic sac |
cervic/o | cervix |
colp/o, vagin/o | vagina |
galact/o, lact/o | milk |
gynec/o | woman, female |
hyster/o, metri/o, uter/o | uterus |
mamm/o, mast/o | breast |
men/o | meses, menstruation |
metr/o | uterus, measure |
nat/o | birth |
oophoor/o, ovari/o | ovary |
perine/o | perineum |
salping/o | tube |
-arche | beginning |
-cyesis | pregnancy |
-gravida | pregnant woman |
-para | to bear offspring |
-salphinx | tube |
-tocia | childbirth, labor |
-version | turning |
atresia | congenital absence or closure of a normal body opening, such as the vagina |
choriocarcinoma | malignant neoplasm of the uterus or at the site of an ectopic pregnancy |
dyspareunia | occurrence of pain during sexual intercourse |
endocervicitis | inflammation of the mucous lining of the cervix |
amenorrhea | absence of a menstrual period |
dysmenorrhea | painful menstruation |
menorrhagia | heavy, prolonged menstruation |
metrorrhagia | irregular uterine bleeding between periods or after menopause |
oligomenorrhea | abnormally light or infrequent periods |
premenstrual syndrome | symptoms that occur between ovulation and menstruation |
sterility | infertility |
uterine fibroids | benign tumors composed of muscle and fibrous tissue that develop in the uterus |
abortion | termination of pregnancy before the fetus is capable of surviving on its own |
abruptio placentae | premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall |
breech presentation | fetal buttocks or feet present first, rather than the head |
Down syndrome | extra copy of chromosome 21, altering physical and mental development of the child |
eclampsia | most serious form of toxemia during pregnancy |
ectopic pregnancy | fertilized ovum becomes implanted on any tissue other than the lining of the uterine cavity |
placenta previa | obstetric complication in which the placenta is attached close to or covers the cervical canal and results in bleeding during labor when the cervix dilates |
amniocentesis | transabdominal puncture of the amniotic sac under US guidance |
chorionic villus sampling | sampling of placental tissues for prenatal diagnosis or potential genetic defects |
colpopscopy | visual examination of the vagina and cervix with an optical magnifying instrument |
cordocentesis | diagnostic prenatal test in which a sample of the baby's blood is removed from the umbilical cord for sampling |
endometrial biopsy | removal of a sample of uterine endometrium for microscopic study |
insufflation | delivery of pressurized air or gas into a cavity or organ to allow visual examination, remove an obstruction, or apply medication |
Papancolaou test | exfoliative cytology test used to detect abnormal cells that are scraped from the cervix |
pelvimetry | measurement of pelvic dimensions |
hysterosalpingography | radiography and fluoroscopy of the uterus and uterine tubes |
mammography | radiographic examination of the breast |
transvaginal ultrasonography | US performed by inserting a probe into the vagina |
cerclage | suturing of the cervix to prevent it from dilating prematurely during pregnancy |
cesarean section | incision of the abdomen and uterus to remove a fetus |
colpocleisis | surgical closure of the vaginal canal |
conization | excision of a cone shaped piece of tissue for histological examination |
cryosurgery | freezing tissue to destroy cells |
dilation and curettage | widening of the cervical canal with a dilator and scraping of the uterine endometrium with a curette |
hysterectomy | excision of the uterus |
laparoscopy | visual examination of the abdominal cavity |
lumpectomy | excision of a small breast tumor and some of the normal tissue that surrounds it |
mammoplasty | surgical reconstruction of the breast |
mastectomy | removal of the breast |
reconstructive breast surgery | creation of a breast-shaped mound to replace a breast that has been removed as a result of cancer or other disease |
tubal ligation | procedure that ties the Ffallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy |
intrauterine device | small T-shaped device inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy |
antifungals | treat vaginal yeast infection |
estrogens | treat symptoms of menopause |
oral contraceptives | synthetic hormones which prevent pregnancy and treat menstrual disorders |
oxytocics | induce labor |
prostaglandins | terminate pregnancy |
spermicides | chemically destroy sperm by creating an acidic environment in the uterus |