Chapter 8 - The Gynecologic Examination Flashcards
Abortion
The termination of the pregnancy before the fetus reaches the age of viability (2 weeks)
Adnexal
Adjacent
Amenorrhea
The absence or cessation of the menstrual period. Occurs, during pregnancy, and after menopause
Atypical
Deviation from the normal
Braxton Hicks Contractions
Intermittent and irregular painless uterine contractions that occur during pregnancy. They occur more frequently toward the end of pregnancy and are sometimes mistaken for labor
Cervix
The lower narrow end of the uterus that opens into the vagina
Colposcopy
Examination of the cervix using a colposcope (a lighted instrument with a magnifying lens)
Cytology
The science that deals with the study of cells, including their origin, structure, function, and pathology
Dilation (of the cervix)
The stretching of the external os from an opening a few millimeters wide to an opening large enough to allow the passage of an infant (abt 10 cm)
Dysmenorrhea
Pain associated with the menstrual period
Dyspareunia
Pain in the vagina or pelvis experienced by a women during sexual intercourse
Dysplasia
The growth of abnormal cells (a precancerous condition that may or may not develop into cancer)
Ectocervix
The part of the cervix that projects into the vagina and is lined with stratified squamous epithelium
Effacement
The thinning and shortening of the cervical canal from its normal length of 1 to 2 cm to a structure with paper-thin edges in which there is no canal at all. Occurs late in pregnancy, during labor, or both. (Permits the passage of the infant into the birth canal)
Embryo
The child in utero from the time of conception through the first 8 weeks of development
Endocervix
The mucous membrane lining the cervical canal
Engagement
The entrance of the fetal head or the presenting part into the pelvic inlet
Expected date of delivery (EDD)
Projected birth date of the infant
External os
The opening of the cervical canal of the uterus into the vagina
Fetal heart rate
The number of times per minute the fetal heart beats
Fetal heart tones
The sounds of the heartbeat of the fetus heard through the mother’s abdominal wall
Fetus
The child in utero from the third month after conception to birth; during the first 2 months of development, it’s called an embryo
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