Glossary Terms 2: Definitions and Spelling

Question 1

Contraception

Answer 1

Prevention of conception

Question 2

Cordocentesis (Percutaneous Umbilical Blood Sampling: PUBS)

Answer 2

A fetal assessment and therapeutic technique in which a needle is placed into an umbilical vessel and blood sampled or treatment given

Question 3

Corpus Luteum:

Answer 3

A temporary endocrine structure produced at the site of ovulation–involved in production of progesterone

Question 4

Cul-de-sac:

Answer 4

The pouch like cavity between the rectum and the uterus, formed by a fold of peritoneum

Question 5

Culdocentesis:

Answer 5

Needle aspiration of intraperitoneal fluid and or blood through a puncture of the posterior vaginal fornix in the cul-de-sac

Question 6

Curettage:

Answer 6

Scraping of the interior of a cavity or other surface with a curette

Question 7

Fractional Curettage:

Answer 7

Separate curettage of the endometrium and endocervix for diagnostic evaluation; specimens are submitted separately for pathological examination

Question 8

Suction Curettage:

Answer 8

Curettage using a suction catheter

Question 9

Cushing Syndrome:

Answer 9

A symptom complex caused by hyper secretion of glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and sex hormones of the adrenal cortex

Question 10

Cystocele:

Answer 10

Protrusion of urinary bladder that creates a downward bulging of the anterior vaginal wall as a result of the weakening of the pubocervical fascia

Question 11

Cystogram:

Answer 11

A radiogram of the urinary bladder after injection of a contrast medium

Question 12

Cystometry:

Answer 12

Measurement of the function and capacity of the urinary bladder by pressure/volume studies; often used to dx hyperactive bladder

Question 13

Cystoscopy:

Answer 13

Direct endoscopic inspection of the interior of the urinary bladder

Question 14

Decidua:

Answer 14

Identifiable changes in the endometrium and other tissues in response to the hormonal effects of progesterone

Question 15

Dilation:

Answer 15

The physiological or instrumental opening of the cervix

Question 16

D Immunoglobulin (Rh0(D) Immunoglobulin)

Answer 16

An immunoprotein used for passive immunization to prevent D sensitization of the mother when exposed to fetal RBCs that may have Rhesus D antigens

Question 17

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC, Consumptive Coagulopathy):

Answer 17

An intravascular coagulation abnormality originally described in the obstetric complications of abruptio placentae and intrauterine fetal demise

Question 18

Double set-up:

Answer 18

The simultaneous availability of two sterile set ups for either a vaginal or abdominal delivery

Question 19

Dysgerminoma:

Answer 19

Malignant solid germ cell tumor of the ovary

Question 20

Dysmaturity:

Answer 20

Intrauterine growth restriction leading to a small for dates baby; asstd with placental insufficiency

Question 21

Dysmenorrhea:

Answer 21

Painful menstruation; may be primary (secondary to production of PGs of inflammatory mediators causing uterine contractions), or secondary (asstd with existing conditions)

Question 22

Dyspareunia:

Answer 22

Difficult or painful intercourse

Question 23

Dystocia:

Answer 23

Abnormal or difficult labor

Question 24

Dysuria:

Answer 24

Painful urination

Question 25

Eclampsia:

Answer 25

Convulsive form of preeclampsia-eclampsia syndrome

Question 26

Ectopic pregnancy:

Answer 26

Pregnancy located outside uterine cavity

Question 27

Ectropion:

Answer 27

The growth of the columnar epithelium of the endocervix onto the ectocervix (AKA: Eversion)

Question 28

Effacement:

Answer 28

Thinning or shortening of the cervix

Question 29

Embryo:

Answer 29

The conceptus from the blastocyst stage to the end of the eighth week

Question 30

Endometrial biopsy:

Answer 30

The procedure of obtaining endometrial tissue for diagnostic purposes

Question 31

Endometriosis:

Answer 31

The presence of endometrial implants outside the uterus

Question 32

Endoscopy:

Answer 32

Instrumental visualization of the interior of a hollow viscus

Question 33

Enterocele:

Answer 33

The herniation of the small intestine into the cul-de-sac,

usually accompanies by (and sometimes confused with) rectocele

Question 34

Episiotomy:

Answer 34

Incision made into the perineum at the time of vaginal delivery

Question 35

Estrogen replacement

Answer 35

Exogenous administration of estrogen or estrogenic substances to overcome a deficiency or absence of the natural hormone

Question 36

Estrogen, Unopposed:

Answer 36

Continues and prolonged effect of estrogen on the endometrium resulting from lack of progesterone

Question 37

Eversion:

Answer 37

The growth of the columnar epithelium of the endocervix onto the ectocervix (AKA: Ectropion)

Question 38

Pelvic Exenteration:

Answer 38

Removal of all pelvic viscera including urinary bladder, rectum, or both; usually in the setting of advanced cervical malignancy

Question 39

Fern (ferning):

Answer 39

Microscopic pattern of NaCl crystals as seen in estrogen stimulated cervical mucus or amniotic fluid

Question 40

Fetus:

Answer 40

The conceptus from 8 weeks until birth

Question 41

Fibrocystic changes (breast):

Answer 41

Mammary changes characterized by fibrosis and formation of cysts in the fibrous stroma

Question 42

Foreplay:

Answer 42

Preliminary stages of sexual relations in which partners usually stimulate each other by kissing, touching, and caressing

Question 43

Functional ovarian cyst:

Answer 43

Physiologic cyst arising from the graafian follicle or the corpus luteum

Question 44

Functioning ovarian tumor:

Answer 44

Hormone producing ovarian neoplasm

Question 45

Galactorrhea:

Answer 45

Spontaneous flow of breast milk in the absence of recent pregnancy

Question 46

Gender (sex) role:

Answer 46

An individual’s understanding an feeling of the activity and behavior appropriate to the male of female sex

Question 47

Gonadal Agenesis:

Answer 47

Congenital absence of ovarian tissue or its presence only as a rudimentary streak

Question 48

Gonadal dysgenesis:

Answer 48

The congenitally defective development of the gonads

Question 49

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG):

Answer 49

A glycoprotein hormone that is produced by the syncytiotrophoblast and is immunologically similar to luteinizing hormone (LH)

Question 50

Human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG):

Answer 50

A gonadotropin dilated from the urine of postmenopausal women, consisting primarily of FSH with variable amounts of LH; used for ovulation induction