8. Female Reproductive System Flashcards
nat/o
birth; born
cervic/o
cervix
ov/i, ov/o
egg, ovum
salping/o
fallopian tube
men/o
menses, menstruation
my/o
muscle
ovari/o, oophor/o
ovary
culd/o
Douglas’ cul-de-sac
AKA rectouterine pouch
rect/o
rectum
uter/o, hyster/o, metri/o, metr/o
uterus
vagin/o, colp/o
vagina
gynec/o
women
endo-
within
neo-
new
peri
surrounding
-arche
beginning
-logy
the study of
-logist
one who specialized in the study of
-pause
to stop
barthol/o
Bartholin’s glands
labi/o
labia
perine/o
perineum
hymen/o
vaginal orifice
vulv/o, episi/o
vulva
mamm/o, mast/o
breast
lact/o, galact/o
milk
papill/o, thel/o
nipple
amni/o
amnion
chori/o, chorion/o
chorion
fet/o
fetus
gravid/o
pregnancy
omphal/o, umbilic/o
umbilicus
-gravida, -cyesis
pregnancy
-tocia, -para
labor, delivery
anovulation
failure of the ovary to release an ovum
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
bilateral presence of numerous cysts, caused by a hormonal abnormality leading to the secretion of androgens
can cause acne, facial hair, and infertility
adhesion, fallopian tubes
scar tissue that binds surfaces together
a sequela (suh KWEL uh) of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), in which, as a result of the inflammation, the tubes heal closed, causing infertility
hematosalpinx
hee mah toh SAL pinks
condition of blood in the fallopian tubes
hydrosalpinx
condition of fluid in the fallopian tubes
pyosalpinx
condition of pus in the fallopian tubes
salpingitis
sal pin JYE tis
inflammation of the fallopian tubes, a part of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
endometriosis
condition in which endometrial tissue proliferates outside the uterine cavity
can interfere with the ability to conceive
caused by the backward flow of tissue fragments during menstruation
hysteroptosis
hiss tur op TOH sis
falling or sliding of the uterus from its normal location in the body
AKA uterine prolapse
retroflexion of the uterus
ondition in which the body of the uterus is bent backwards, forming an angle with the cervix
AKA “tipped uterus.”
amenorrhea
uh men uh REE ah
lack of menstrual flow
dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB)
abnormal uterine bleeding not caused by a tumor, inflammation, or pregnancy
PMB stands for postmenopausal bleeding.
dysmenorrhea
diss men uh REE ah
painful menstrual flow, cramps
menometrorrhagia
men oh met roh RAH zsa
excessive menstrual flow and uterine bleeding other than that caused by menstruation
menorrhagia
men or RAH zsa
abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual period
may be an indication of fibroids
metrorrhagia
met roh RAH zsa
uterine bleeding other than that caused by menstruation
may be caused by uterine lesions
oligomenorrhea
oh lig oh men oh REE ah
abnormally light menstrual flow
menorrhea refers to the normal discharge of blood and tissue from the uterus
polymenorrhea
abnormally frequent menstrual flow
premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
mood disorder that includes depression, irritability, fatigue, changes in appetite or sleep, and difficulty concentrating
occurs 1 to 2 weeks before the onset of the menstrual flow
premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
poorly understood group of symptoms that occur in some women on a cyclic basis: Breast pain, irritability, fluid retention, headache, and lack of coordination are some of the symptoms
cervicitis
inflammation of the cervix that can produce a whitish discharge called leukorrhea
leukorrhea
whitish discharge usually resulting from cervicitis
vaginal prolapse
downward displacement of the vagina
AKA colpoptosis (kohl pop TOH sis)
vaginitis
inflammation of the vagina
vulvitis
inflammation of the external female genitalia
vulvodynia
idiopathic syndrome of nonspecific complaints of pain of the vulva
vulvovaginitis
inflammation of the vulva and vagina
mastitis
inflammation of the mammary gland
thelitis
thee LYE tis
inflammation of the nipples
AKA acromastitis, meaning inflammation of the extremities of the breast
cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)
abnormal cervical cell formation that may or may not devleop into cancer
`reported in grades I, II, and III
AKA cervical dysplasia
endometrial hyperplasia
the excessive development of cells in the uterine lining
of itself, benign but can become malignant
fibroadenoma of the breast
noncancerous breast tumors composed of fibrous and glandular tissue
fibrocystic changes of the breast
formerly called fibrocystic disease, this benign condition affects the glandular and stromal tissue
changes may take a variety of forms with typical symptoms of cysts, lumpiness, and/or pain
leiomyoma
lye oh my oma
benign smooth muscle tumor of the uterus
usually nonpainful growths
may be removed surgically
AKA fibroids
ovarian cyst
a benign, fluid-filled sac
either a follicular cyst, which occurs when a follicle does not rupture at ovulation, or a cyst of the corpus luteum, caused when it does not continue its transformation
endometrial adenocarcinoma
add den oh kar sin OH mah
malignant cancer that develops from the cells that line the uterus
most common uterine cancer
epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC)
an inherited mutation of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene is linked to the risk of this malignancy and breast cancer
infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC)
most common type of breast cancer that arises from the cells lining the milk ducts
leiomyosarcoma
lye oh mye oh sar KOH mah
rare type of cancer of the smooth muscle of the uterus
lobular carcinoma
LAHB yoo lur
make up ~15% of breast cancers
tumors begin in the glandular tissue of the breast at the ends of the milk ducts
Paget disease of the breast
PAJ et
rare malignancy of the nipple that can occur in both women and men
squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix
most common type of cervical cancer
thought to be caused by HPV
one of the most curable cancers with early detection
cervicography
photographic procedure in which a specially designed 35-mm camera is used to image the entire cervix to produce a slide called a
cervigram
used to detect early cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or invasive cervical cancer
can be combined with colposcopy or done independently
hysterosalpingography (HSG)
his tur oh sal pin GAH gruh fee
radiographic procedure using contrast medium to image the uterus and fallopian tubes
mammography
imaging technique for early detection of breast cancer
results in an image called mammogram
pelvimetry
measurement of the birth canal
types include clinical and x-ray, although x-ray pelvimetry is not commonly done
colposcopy
kohl PAH skuh pee
endoscopic procedure used for a cervical/vaginal biopsy
culdoscopy
kull DAH skuh pee
endoscopic procedure used for biopsy of Douglas’ cul-de-sac
hysteroscopy
hiss tuh RAH skuk pee
endoscopic procedure used for a myomectomy (fibroid removal) or polypectomy (polyp removal)
laparoscopy
lap uh RAH skuh pee
endoscopic procedure for removing lesions (lysis), performing a hysterectomy, or ovarian biopsy
culdocentesis
removal of fluid and cells from the rectouterine pouch to detect dysplasia
hormone levels
laboratory measurements of the presence and extent of specific hormones in specimens of blood, urine, or body tissues
useful in evaluating a range of conditions from pregnancy to menopause
pap smear
exfoliative cytology procedure useful for the detection of vaginal and cervical cancer
alpha-fetoprotein test (AFP)
test for prenatal diagnosis
maternal serum (blood) alpha fetoprotein test performed between 14 and 19 weeks of gestation
may indicate a variety of conditions, such as neural tube defects (spina bifida is the most common finding) and multiple gestations
amniocentesis
removal and analysis of a sample of the amniotic fluid with the use of a guided needle through the mother’s abdomen into the amniotic sac to diagnose a number of fetal abnormalities
chorionic villus samping (CVS)
removal of a small piece of the outer covering of the fetus, the chorion, either transvaginally or through a small incision in the abdomen, to test for chromosomal abnormalities
contraction stress test (CST)
test to predict fetal outcome and risk of intrauterine asphyxia by measuring fetal heart rate throughout a minimum of three contractions within a 10-minute period
nonstress test (NST)
stimulation of the fetus to monitor for a normal, expected acceleration of the fetal heart rate
a nonreactive stress test should be followed by a CST and possible ultrasound studies
pregnancy test
test available in two forms:
- a standard OTC pregnancy test, which examines urine for the presence of hCG
- a serum (blood) pregnancy test performed in a physician’s office or laboratory to get a quantitative hCG
a “triple-screen” is a blood test for hCG, AFP, and uE3 (unconjugated estradiol)
cervicectomy
sur vih SECK tuh mee
resection of the uterine cervix
colpopexy
KOHL poh peck see
fixation of the vagina to an adjacent structure to hold it in place
colpoplasty
KOHL poh plass tee
surgical repair of the vagina
dilation and curettage (D&C)
KYOOR ih tahzh
procedure involving dilation of the cervix until a scraping tool (curette) can be inserted to remove the lining of the uterus (curettage)
used to treat and diagnose conditions such as heavy menstrual bleeding, or to empty the uterus of the products of conception
hysterectomy
resection of the uterus
may be partial, pan- (all), or include other organs as well (e.g., total abdominal hysterectomy with a bilateral
salpingo-oophorectomy [TAH-BSO])
the surgical approach is usually stated: whether it is laparoscopic, vaginal, or abdominal
hysteropexy
HISS tur oh peck see
suspension and fixation of a prolapsed uterus
lumpectomy
removal of a tumor from a breast
mammoplasty
MAM oh plas tee
surgical or cosmetic repair of the breast
options may include augmentation or reduction
mastectomy
removal of the breast, either unilateral or bilateral
mastopexy
reconstructive procedure to lift and fixate the breasts
oophorectomy
oh ah fore ECK tuh mee
resection of an ovary, either unilateral or bilateral
pelvic exenteration
ecks zen tuh RAY shun
removal of the contents of the pelvic cavity
pelvic exenteration is usually done in response to widespread cancer to remove the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder, vagina, rectum, and lymph nodes
salpingectomy
sall pin JEKT uh mee
resection of a fallopian tube, either unilateral or bilateral
salpingolysis
sal ping GALL ih sis
removal of the adhesions in the fallopian tubes to reestablish patency, with the goal of fertility
uterine artery embolization (UAE)
em boh lye ZAY shun
injection of particles to block a uterine artery that supplies the blood to a fibroid, which causes death of the fibroid
artificial insemination (AI)
introduction of semen into the vagina by mechanical or instrumental means
gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT)
laboratory mixing and injection of the ova and sperm into the fallopian tubes so that fertilization occurs naturally within the body
intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
injection of one sperm into the ovum and subsequent transplantation of the resulting zygote into the uterus
in vitro fertilization (IVF)
procedure that allows the mother’s ova to be fertilized outside the body and then implanted in the uterus of either the biologic mother or a surrogate to carry to term
zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT)
mixing of the ova and sperm in the laboratory, with fertilization confirmed before the zygotes are returned to the fallopian tubes
sterilization
surgical procedure rendering a person unable to produce children
e.g., hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, or tubal ligation
tubal ligation
TOO bul
sterilization procedure in which the fallopian tubes are cut, ligated (tied), and cauterized to prevent the ova released from being fertilized by spermatozoa
abruptio placentae
plah SEN tee
premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall
may result in a severe hemorrhage that can threaten both infant and maternal lives
AKA ablatio placentae (ah BLAY she oh plah SEN tee)
Fig B
cephalopelvic disproportion
condition in which the infant’s head is larger than the pelvic outlet it must pass through, thereby inhibiting normal labor and birth
one of the indications for a cesarean section
eclampsia
extremely serious form of hypertension secondary to pregnancy
patients are at risk for coma, convulsions, and death
ectopic pregnancy
implantation of the embryo in any location but the uterus
erythroblastosis fetalis
condition in which mother is Rh-negative and her fetus is Rh-positive, causing the mother to form antibodies to the Rh-positive factor
subsequent Rh-positive pregnancies will be in jeopardy because the mother’s anti-Rh antibodies will cross the placenta and destroy fetal blood cells
miscarriage/abortion
termination of a pregnancy before the fetus is viable
if spontaneous, it may be termed a miscarriage or a spontaneous abortion
if induced, it can be referred to as a therapeutic abortion
oligohydramnios
oh lih goh hye DRAM nee ohs
condition of low or missing amniotic fluid
placenta previa
placenta that is malpositioned in the uterus, so that it covers the opening of the cervix
even slight separation of the placenta from the uterine wall can result in bleeding
Fig A
polyhydramnios
condition of excessive amniotic fluid
preeclampsia
abnormal condition of pregnancy with unknown cause, marked by hypertension, edema, and proteinuria
AKA toxemia of pregnancy
meconium staining
meh KOH nee um
refers to fetal defecation while in utero
indicates fetal distress
nuchal cord
NOO kul
abnormal but common occurrence of the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck of the neonate
cephalic version
process of turning the fetus so that the head is at the cervical outlet for a vaginal delivery
cerclage
sur KLAHZH
suturing the cervix closed to prevent a spontaneous abortion in a woman with an incompetent cervix
suture is removed when the pregnancy is at full-term to allow the delivery to proceed normally
Cesarean section (C-section, CS)
delivery of an infant through a surgical abdominal incision
necessary with severe hemorrhaging as a result of placenta previa
episiotomy
incision to widen the vaginal orifice to prevent tearing the tissue of the vulva during delivery
oxytocia
ock see TOH sha
rapid birth
dystocia
dis TOH sha
difficult birth
vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC)
delivery of subsequent babies vaginally after a C-section
in the past, women were told “once a C-section, always a C-section.” Currently, this is being changed by recent developments in technique
vaginal delivery
(usually) cephalic presentation (head first) through the vagina
breech delivery
feet or buttock presentation through the vagina
Apgar score
rates the physical health of the infant with a set of criteria 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth
congenital hypothyroidism
condition of deficient thyroid hormones
undiscovered and untreated, it can lead to retarded growth and brain development
if caught at birth, oral doses of the missing thyroid hormone will allow normal development
phenylketonuria (PKU)
fennel kee tun YOOR ee ah
test for deficiency of enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, which is responsible for converting phenylalanine, found in certain foods, into tyrosine
failure to treat this condition will lead to brain damage and mental retardation
Cx
cervix
EDD
estimated delivery date
ERT
estrogen replacement therapy
FHR
fetal heart rate
hCG
human chorionic gonadotropin
hMG
human menopausal gonadotropin
HRT
hormone replacement therapy
LMP
last menstrual period
Rh
Rhesus factor
TAH-BSO
total abdominal hysterectomy with a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
menarche
men ar kee
the first menstruation and establishment of cyclical menstrual function
pituitary gland
an endocrine gland that is suspended under the brain in the fossa of the sphenoid bone
supplies hormones essential to many vital processes, such as FSH
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
secreted by the pituitary gland
causes the ovary’s follicles (tiny secretory sacs in the ovary) to secrete estrogen
pituitary gland → FSH → ovary follicles → estrogen → hypothalamus → luteinizing hormone (LH) → ovulation → corpus luteum → estrogen & progesterone → fimbriae move ovum to uterus
luteinizing hormone (LH)
loot EE uh nye zing
released by the hypothalamus to stimulate the follicle to mature and release its ovum (ovulation)
pituitary gland → FSH → ovary follicles → estrogen → hypothalamus → luteinizing hormone (LH) → ovulation → corpus luteum → estrogen & progesterone → fimbriae move ovum to uterus
ovulation
process in which developed ovum/egg is expelled from the ovarian follicle and swept into the fallopian tube
ovarian follicles mature → one or more of the ovarian follicles rupture → a developed ovum is released → ruptured follicle develops golden appearance (corpus luteum)
corpus luteum
secretes estrogens and progesterone
after egg is expelled from the follicle into the fallopian tube, the follicular cells on the surface of the ovary form the corpus luteum
last about 12-14 hours if fertilization does not occur
if fertilization does occur, the hCG secreted by zygote keeps corpus luteum active
ovarian follicles mature → one or more of the ovarian follicles rupture → a developed ovum is released → ruptured follicle develops golden appearance → secretes estrogen & progesterone → deteriorates and becomes nonfunctional if fertilization does not occur
estrogen
generic term for any steroid that produces estrus
responsible for the development of female secondary sex characteristics, as well as for producing a suitable environment for the fertilization (endometrial thickening), implantation, and nutrition in the early embryo by acting on the female genitalia during the menstrual cycle
progesterone
principal progestional hormone of the body
responsible for the development and maintenance of the endometrial lining
released by the corpus luteum, placenta, and the adrenal cortex
fimbria
(pl. fimbriae)
the feathery ends of each fallopian tube, draws matured ovum into the tube
uterine adnexa
accessory organs of the uterus
includes fallopian tubes and ovaries
follicle
secretory sac
perimetreum
outer layer of uterus
myometrium
muscle layer of uterus
endometrium
innermost lining of the uterus
fundus
top, raised area of the uterus between the outlets for the fallopian tubes
corpus
large central area of the uterus
AKA body
cervix
the lower narrowed area of the uterus
AKA neck of the uterus
vagina
muscular, tube-like organ through which uterine lining is shed when the ovum is not fertilized with a spermatozoon
if fertilization does take place, vagina becomes the birth canal for the newborn
Douglas’ cul-de-sac
small area between uterus and rectum
AKA rectouterine pouch
vulva
external female genitalia
consists of the orifice (vaginal opening), labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and perineum
Bartholin’s glands
paired glands in the vulva that secrete a mucous lubricant for the vagina
lobes
15-20 divisions in each breast in which milk-secreting cells are located
lactiferous ducts
small tubular structures that extend from milk-secreting cells and expand into lactiferous sinuses as they converge like spokes toward the nipple
conception
event that occurs when one ovum unites with one sperm as a result of sexual intercourse or fertilization in a clinical setting
marks the beginning of pregnancy
zygote
cell formed when the sperm and ovum unite
gestation
period of about 38 weeks in which the development of a new individual occurs from conception to birth
implantation
embedding of a zygote into the uterine lining about 7-10 days after ovulation
human chorionic gonadotropin
hormone secreted by the zygote during implantation
prevents corpus luteum from deteriorating and allows the continued production of estrogen and progesterone to support the pregnancy and prevent menstruation
embryo
3rd to 8th week of life
amnion
thin but tough membrane lining the chorion, containing the embryo and later the fetus
surrounded by amniotic fluid
chorion
CORE ee ahn
outermost extraembryonic membrane
composed of trophoblast lined with mesoderm and develops villi about 2 weeks after fertilization
placenta
highly vascular structure that provides communication b/w mother and embryo for the exchange of nutrients and wastes
anchors embryo to uterine wall and begins producing progesterone after ~10 weeks of gestation
fetus
embryo after 8th week of pregnancy
umbilical cord
connects embryo to placenta, which is anchored to uterine wall
parturition
PAR tyur ih shun
childbirth
afterbirth
the expulsion of placenta from the uterus after parturition
pelvic inflammatory disease
an inflammatory condition affecting the female pelvic organs, particularly one caused by bacterial infection
characterized by fever, pain in the lower abdomen, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, abnormal uterine bleeding, and pain in the uterus, uterine tube, or affected ovary during pelvic examination
AKA salpingitis
teratoma
tumors composed of different kinds of tissue, none of which normally occur together
most common in the ovaries or testes
dermoid cyst
tumor consisting of a fibrous wall lined with epithelium and a cavity containing material derived from embryonal tissues
lei/o
smooth
-drome
run
phor/o
carry, bear
-ptosis
drooping, sagging
lobul/o
small lobe
-plasia
formation, development
-sarcoma
cancerous tumor of connective tissue
-carcinoma
cancerous tumor of epithelial tissue
sonohysterography
ultrasonography of the uterus
transvaginal ultrasound
uses a proble introduced into the vagina and a high-frequency sound to obtain a transvaginal view of the uterus
salpingo-oophorectomy
sal ping oh - oh ah for eck tuh mee
removal of a fallopian tube and an ovary
triple-screen
blood test for hCG, AFP, and uE3 (unconjugated estradiol)
incompetent cervix
condition that can lead to a spontaneous abortion or miscarriage
usually occurs b/w 3rd to 13th week of pregnancy and thus results in miscarriage by the 20th week
a cerclage can be performed to prevent this
nuch/o
neck
eutocia
normal delivery
