Female Reproductive System Pathology Flashcards
Gynecology (GYN)
Branch of medicine specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the female reproductive system. Physician is called a ‘gynecologist.’
Neonatology
Branch of medicine specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions involving newborns. Physician is called a ‘neonatologist.’
Obstetrics (OB)
Branch of medicine specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of women during pregnancy and childbirth, and immediately after childbirth. Physician is called an ‘obstetrician.’
Amenorrhea
Condition of having no menstrual flow
Amniorrhea
Flow of amniotic fluid when the amnion ruptures
Dysmenorrhea
Condition of having abnormal or painful menstrual flow
Dystocia
Difficult labor and childbirth
Hematosalpinx
Presence of blood in a uterine tube
Mastalgia
Breast pain
Menorrhagia
Condition of having abnormally heavy menstrual flow during normal menstruation time
Metrorrhagia
Term is used to describe uterine bleeding between menstrual periods
Metrorrhea
Having a discharge (such as mucus or pus) from the uterus that is not the menstrual flow
Oligomenorrhea
Condition of having light menstrual flow
Oophoritis
Inflammation of the ovary
Ovarian Carcinoma
Cancer of the ovary
Ovarian Cyst
Cyst that develops within the ovary. These may be multiple cysts and may rupture, causing pain and bleeding
Pyosalpinx
Presence of pus in a uterine tube
Salpingitis
Inflammation of the uterine tube
Cervical Cancer
Malignant growth in the cervix. Some cases are caused by the ‘human papilloma virus’ (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus for which there is now a vaccine. An especially difficult type of cancer to treat that causes 5% of the cancer deaths in women. Pap smear tests have helped to detect early cervical cancer
Endocervicitis
Inflammation that occurs within the cervix
Endometrial Cancer
Cancer of the endometrial lining of the uterus
Endometritis
Inflammation of the endometrium (inner layer of the uterine wall)
Fibroid Tumor
Benign tumor or growth that contains fiber-like tissue. Uterine fibroid tumors are the most common tumors in women
Hysterorrhexis
Rupture of the uterus; may occur during labor
Menometrorrhagia
Excessive bleeding during the menstrual period and at intervals between menstrual periods
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Symptoms that develop just prior to the onset of a menstrual period, which can include irritability, headache, tender breasts, and anxiety
Prolapsed Uterus
Fallen uterus that can cause the cervix to protrude through the vaginal opening. Generally caused by weakened muscles from vaginal delivery or as the result of pelvic tumors pressing down
Candidiasis
Yeast infection of the skin and mucous membranes that can result in white plaques on the tongue and vagina
Cystocele
Hernia or outpouching of the bladder that protrudes into the vagina. This may cause urinary frequency and urgency
Rectocele
Protrusion or herniation of the rectum into the vagina
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
Rare and sometimes fatal staphylococcus infection that generally occurs in menstruating women. Initial infection of the vagina is associated with prolonged wearing of a super-absorbent tampon
Vaginitis
Inflammation of the vagina
Endometriosis
Abnormal condition of endometrium tissue appearing throughout the pelvis or on the abdominal wall. This tissue is normally found within the uterus
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Chronic or acute infection, usually bacterial, that has ascended through the female reproductive organs and out into the pelvic cavity. May result in scarring that interferes with fertility
Perimetritis
Inflammation in the pelvic cavity around the outside of the uterus
Breast Cancer
Malignant tumor of the breast. Usually forms in the milk-producing gland tissue or the lining of the milk ducts
Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Benign cysts forming in the breast
Mastitis
Inflammation of the breast
Abruptio Placentae
Emergency condition in which the placenta tears away from the uterine wall prior to delivery of the infant. Requires immediate delivery of the baby
Eclampsia
Further worsening of preeclampsia symptoms with the addition of seizures and coma; may occur between the 20th week of pregnancy and up to 6 weeks postpartum
Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN)
Condition developing in the baby when the mother’s blood type is Rh-negative and the baby’s blood is Rh-positive. Antibodies in the mother’s blood enter the fetus’s bloodstream through the placenta and destroy the fetus’s red blood cells, causing anemia, jaundice, and enlargement of the spleen. Treatment is early diagnosis and blood transfusion. Also called ‘erythroblastosis fetalis.’
Infertility
Inability to produce children. Generally defined as no pregnancy after properly timed intercourse for 1 year
Placenta Previa
A placenta that is implanted in the lower portion of the uterus and, in turn, blocks the birth canal
Preeclampsia
Metabolic disease of pregnancy. If untreated, it may progress to eclampsia. Symptoms include hypertension, headaches, albumin in the urine, and edema. May occur between the 20th week of pregnancy and up to 6 weeks postpartum. Also called ‘toxemia’ or ‘pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).’
Prolapsed Umbilical Cord
When the umbilical cord of the baby is expelled first during delivery and is squeezed between the baby’s
head and the vaginal wall. This presents an emergency situation since the baby’s circulation is compromised
Pseudocyesis
Condition in which the body reacts as if there is a pregnancy (especially hormonal changes), but there is no pregnancy
Salpingocyesis
Pregnancy that occurs in the uterine tube instead of in the uterus
Spontaneous Abortion
Unplanned loss of a pregnancy due to the death of the embryo or fetus before the time it is viable, commonly referred to as a ‘miscarriage.’
Stillbirth
Birth in which a viable-aged fetus dies shortly before or at the time of delivery
