Female Reproductive System Diagnostic Procedures

Question 1

Pap (Papanicolaou) Smear

Answer 1

Test for the early detection of cancer of the cervix named after the developer of the test, George Papanicolaou, a Greek physician. A scraping of cells is removed from the cervix for examination under a microscope

Question 2

Pregnancy Test

Answer 2

Chemical test that can determine a pregnancy during the first few weeks. Can be performed in a physician’s office or with a home-testing kit

Question 3

Hysterosalpingography (HSG)

Answer 3

Taking of an X-ray after injecting radiopaque material into the uterus and uterine tubes

Question 4

Mammogram

Answer 4

X-ray record of the breast

Question 5

Mammography

Answer 5

X-ray to diagnose breast disease, especially breast cancer

Question 6

Pelvic Ultrasonography

Answer 6

Use of high-frequency sound waves to produce an image or photograph of an organ, such as the uterus, ovaries, or fetus

Question 7

Colposcope

Answer 7

Instrument used to view inside the vagina

Question 8

Colposcopy

Answer 8

Examination of vagina using an instrument called a ‘colposcope.’

Question 9

Culdoscopy

Answer 9

Examination of the female pelvic cavity, particularly behind the uterus, by introducing an endoscope through the wall of the vagina

Question 10

Laparoscope

Answer 10

Instrument used to view inside the abdomen

Question 11

Laparoscopy

Answer 11

Examination of the peritoneal cavity using an instrument called a ‘laparoscope.’ The instrument is passed through a small incision made by the surgeon into the abdominopelvic cavity

Question 12

Amniocentesis

Answer 12

Puncturing of the amniotic sac using a needle and syringe for the purpose of withdrawing amniotic fluid for testing. Can assist in determining fetal maturity, development, and genetic disorders

Question 13

Apgar Score

Answer 13

Evaluation of a neonate’s adjustment to the outside world. Observes color, heart rate, muscle tone, respiratory rate, and response to stimulus at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth

Question 14

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

Answer 14

Removal of a small piece of the chorion for genetic analysis. May be done at an earlier stage of pregnancy than amniocentesis

Question 15

Fetal Monitoring

Answer 15

Using electronic equipment placed on the mother’s abdomen or the fetus’ scalp to check the fetal heart rate (FHR). Also called ‘fetal heart tone (FHT)’ during labor. The normal heart rate of the fetus is rapid, ranging from 120 to 160 beats per minute. A drop in the fetal heart rate indicates the fetus is in distress

Question 16

Cervical Biopsy

Answer 16

Taking a sample of tissue from the cervix to test for the presence of cancer cells

Question 17

Endometrial Biopsy (EMB)

Answer 17

Taking a sample ot tissue from the lining of the uterus to test for abnormalities

Question 18

Pelvic Examination

Answer 18

Physical examination of the vagina and adjacent organs performed by a physician placing the fingers of one hand into the vagina. An instrument called a ‘speculum’ is used to open the vagina