CH 15: Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Define Clitoris
Erectile organ of the vulva
Define Estrogen
Generic term for hormones that stimulate female secondary sex characteristics
-gen = produce
estr/o- = woman
Define Gynecology (GYN)
Study of the female reproductive system;
medical specialty of diseases of the female reproductive tract
-logy = study of, specialty of
gynec/o- = woman, female
Define Gynecologic
Pertaining to Gynecology
-ic = pertaining to
gynec/o- = woman, female
-log- = to study
Define Labia Majora
Pair of thick folds of skin that are part of the female external genitalia
Define Obstetrics
Medical specialty for the care of woman during pregnancy and the postpartum period (childbirth)
Define Obstetrician (OB)
Physician who specializes in the care of woman during pregnancy and postpartum period (childbirth)
Define Vagina
Female genital canal extending from the uterus to the vulva
aka birth canal
-al = pertaining to
vagin- = vagina
Define Vulva
Female external genitalia
vulv- = vulva
Define Dyspareunia
Pain during sexual intercourse
-ia = condition
dys- = painful
-pareun- = lying beside, sexual intercourse
Define Vaginosis
Any disease of the vagina
-osis = condition
vagin- = vagina
Define Menses
monthly uterine bleeding same as menses (for some women these occur in longer intervals)
aka Menstruation
month in Latin
Define Endometrium
Inner lining of the uterus
-um = tissue
endo- = within, inside, inner
metr/i- = uterus
Define Menarche
First menstrual period
-arche = beginning
men- = month
Define Prolapse
Refers to the falling or slipping of a body part from its normal position
a falling in Latin
Define Uterus
Organ in which an egg develops into a fetus
(aka womb)
uter- = uterus
Define Intrauterine
Pertaining to within the uterus
intra- = within, inside
uter- = uterus
Define Amenorrhea
Absence or abnormal cessation of menstrual flow; without menstrual flow
-rrhea = flow, discharge
a- = without
men/o- = menses
Define Dysmenorrhea
Painful/difficult menstrual flow
-rrhea = flow, discharge
dys- = painful or difficult
men/o- = menses (month / menstruation)
Define Menopause
Permanent ending of menstrual periods
(after a period of 12 months of no menses / menstruation)
-pause = cessation
men/o- = menses (menstruation)
Define Polycystic
Composed of / pertaining to many cysts
-ic = pertaining to
poly- = many
-cyst- = sac
Define Anteversion
Forward displacement or tilting of a structure (in this case, the uterus)
-ion = action, condition
ante- = forward
-vers- = turn
Define Colpopexy
Surgical fixation of the vaginal walls
-pexy = surgical fixation
colp/o- = vagina
Define Cystocele
Hernia of the bladder into the anterior wall of the vagina
-cele = hernia
cyst/o- = bladder
Define Endometriosis
Endometrial tissue in the abdomen outside the uterus
causes intense pain when it swells due to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle
-osis = condition
endo- = within, inside
-metr/i- = uterus
Define Fibromyoma
Benign neoplasm derived from smooth muscle and containing fibrous tissue
-oma = tumor, mass
fibr/o- = fiber
-my- = muscle
Define Hysterectomy
Surgical removal of the uterus
-ectomy = surgical excision (removal)
hyster- = uterus
Define Leiomyoma (also called fibroid)
Benign neoplasm derived from smooth muscle
-oma = tumor, mass
lei/o- = smooth
-my- = muscle
Define Menorrhagia
Excessive menstrual bleeding
-rrhagia = flow, discharge
men/o- = menses
Define Metrorrhagia
Irregular uterine bleeding between menses
-rrhagia = flow, discharge
metr/o- = uterus
Define Retroversion
the tipping backwards of the uterus
-ion = action, condition
retro- = backward
-vers- = turn
Define Salpingitis
Inflammation of the fallopian (uterine) tube
-itis = inflammation
salping- = uterine tube
Define Salpingectomy
Surgical removal of a fallopian tube
-ectomy = surgical excision (removal)
salping- = uterine tube
Define Pap Test
Examination of cells taken from the cervix;
doctor brushes cells from the cervix
Define Contraception
Prevention of pregnancy
-ion = action, condition
contra- = against
-cept- = receive
Define Contraceptive
Agent that prevents conception
-ive = quality of
contra- = against
-cept- = receive
Define Diaphragm (as it relates to reproduction)
A ring and dome-shaped material inserted into the vagina to prevent pregnancy
note: also term for major muscle separating the abdominal and thoracic cavity.
Define Ovulation
Release of an oocyte from a follicle;
the mature follicle bulges out on the surface of the ovary and ruptures.
Define Fetus
Human organism from the end of the eighth week after conception to birth
offspring in Latin
Define Infertility
Failure to conceive;
inability to conceive over a long period of time (usually 12 months)
-ity = condition
in- = not, without
-fertil- = able to conceive
male infertility diagnosed only after one year has passed
Define Placenta
Organ that allows metabolic exchange between the mother and the fetus
Define Amniocentesis
Removal of amniotic fluid for diagnostic purposes;
surgical puncture to withdraw or aspirate fluid from the amniotic sac for analysis
-centesis = to puncture
amni/o- = amnion, fetal membrane
Define Conception
Fertilization of the egg by sperm to form a zygote
something received in Latin
Define Amnion
Membrane around the fetus that contains amniotic fluid
amni/o- = amnion, fetal membrane
Define Ectopic
Out of place, not in a normal position;
commonly refering to fertilized egg implanted in the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus (can refer however to any organ out of place)
-ic = pertaining to
ectop- = on the outside, displaced
Define Gestational
Pertaining to Gestation
-al = pertaining to
gestat- = pregnancy
Define Gestation
Period from conception to birth
-ion = action, condition
gestat- = pregnancy
Define Oligohydramnios
Too little amniotic fluid
olig-, olig/o- = scanty, too little (prefix or root, CF)
-hydr- = water
-amnios = amnion
Define Polyhydramnios
Too much amniotic fluid
poly- = many, excessive
-hydr- = water
-amnios = amnion
Define Preeclampsia
Hypertension, edema, and proteinuria during pregnancy
-ia = condition
pre- = before
-eclamps- = shining forth
Define Exlampsia
Convulsions in a patient with preeclampsia;
(hypertension, edema, proteinuria, and seizures during pregnancy)
usually results d/t (due to) untreated preeclampsia
-ia = condition
-eclamps- = shining forth
Define Preterm (Premature)
Baby delivered before 37 weeks of gestation
pre- = before
-term = limit, end
Define Trimester
One-third of the length of a full-term pregnancy
of 3 months’ duration in Latin
Define Crowning
when the head of the fetus reaches the vaginal opening first
Define Dilation
Stretching or enlarging an opening
-ion = process
dilat- = open out
Define Effacement
thinning of the cervix in relation to labor
-ment = resulting state
efface- = wipe out
Define Episiotomy
Surgical incision of the vulva; done so the vulva doesn’t tear in childbirth
-tomy = surgical incision
episi/o- = vulva
Define Gravid
Pregnant
Define Gravida
A pregnant woman
Define Hyperemesis
Excessive vomiting
hyper- = excessive
-emesis = vomiting
Define Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Persistent, severe vomiting during pregnancy;
most common in the 1st trimester
aka extreme morning sickness
hyper- = excessive
-emesis = vomiting
Define Multipara
Woman who has given birth to two or more children
multi- = many
-para = birth, to bring forth
Define Neonate
A newborn infant
neo- = new
-nate = born
Define Neonatal
Pertaining to the newborn infant or the newborn period
-al = pertaining to
neo- = new
-nate = born
Define Perinatal
Around the time of birth
-al = pertaining to
peri- = around
-nat- = birth
Define Prenatal
The period before the baby’s birth
-al = pertaining to
pre- = before
-nat- = birth
Define Postpartum
After childbirth
post- = after
-partum = birth, to bring forth
Define Primipara
Woman giving birth for the first time
primi- = first
-para = to bring forth
Define Teratogen
Agent that produces fetal deformities
-gen = create, produce
terat/o- = monster, malformed fetus
Define Teratogenic
Capable of producing fetal deformities
-ic = pertaining to
-gen = create, produce
-terat/o- = monster, malformed fetus
Define Breech
Buttocks-first presentation of the fetus at delivery
this is an abnormal and potentially dangerous presentation
Define Cesarean Section (C-Section)
Extraction of the fetus through an incision in the abdomen and uterine wall
history: roman law under the Caesars required that pregnant women who died be cut open and the fetus be extracted
Define Meconium
The first bowel movement of the newborn
a little poppy in Greek
Define Placenta Abruption
Separation of the placenta from the uterine wall before delivery of the baby;
premature detachment of the placenta (a medical emergency)
abruptio, Latin to break off
Define Premature
Occurring before the expected time;
A neonate born before 37 weeks gestation
slang term is “preemie”
pre- = before
-mature = ripe, ready
Define Prematurity
Condition of being premature
same as preterm
-ity = condition, state
pre- = before
-mature = ripe, ready
Define Areola
Circular reddish-brown area surrounding the nipple
areol- = areolar
Define Colostrum
The first breast secretion at the end of pregnancy
Define Mammary
Pertaining to the lactating breast
-ary = pertaining to
mamm- = breast
Define Prolactin
pituitary hormone that stimulates the production of milk
-in = substance
pro- = before
-lact- = milk
Define Galactorrhea
Condition of a woman producing breast milk when she is not breastfeeding
-rrhea = flow
galact/o- = milk
Define Gynecomastia
Abnormal enlargement of the breast;
usually of the male breast, may refer to female breast due to liver disease, marijuana, or drug therapy
-ia = condition
gynec/o- = female
mast- = breast
Define Mammogram
The record produced by x-ray imaging of the breast
-gram = a record
mamm/o- = breast
Define Mammography
Process of x-ray examination of the breast
-graphy = process of recording
mamm/o- = breast
Define Mastalgia
Pain in the breast
-algia = pain
mast- = breast
Define Mastectomy
Surgical excision (removal) of the breast
-ectomy = surgical excision (removal)
mast- = breast
Define Mastitis
Inflammation / infection of the breast
-itis = inflammation / infection
mast- = breast
