MT M 7 7.4 Obstetrics and Gynecology

Question 1

female reproductive system

Answer 1

The female reproductive system functions to continue the human species through sexual reproduction.

Question 2

Gynecology

Answer 2

Gynecology is the medical specialty associated with the female reproductive system and the conditions associated with it.

The combining form gynec/o means female

Question 3

Obstetrics

Answer 3

Obstetrics is the medical specialty associated with pregnancy and childbirth

Question 4

Gynecologists and obstetricians

Answer 4

Gynecologists and obstetricians are the physicians that have specialized in these fields, and they can be called Ob-Gyns. These physicians are also able to operate on the female reproductive system.

Question 5

key organs of the female reproductive system

Answer 5

The key organs of the female reproductive system are the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and breasts.

Question 6

ovaries

Answer 6

The primary female sex organs are the ovaries. Each female has two ovaries that are located on either side of the uterus. They are almond-shaped organs that are responsible for producing the ova, the female reproductive cells.

Question 7

ova

Answer 7

Each female has two ovaries that are located on either side of the uterus. They are almond-shaped organs that are responsible for producing the ova, the female reproductive cells.

Question 8

ovaries also function

Answer 8

The ovaries also function to produce the female sex hormones: estrogen and progesterone.

Question 9

uterus

Answer 9

It is a pear-shaped organ that is muscular and hollow. The uterus is in the pelvic cavity; it is above the bladder and the rectum is posterior to the uterus. It is suspended in the pelvic cavity through several ligaments that attach the uterus to the pelvic walls and the bladder.

Question 10

anteflexion

Answer 10

The normal positioning of the uterus is called anteflexion.

Question 11

body

Answer 11

The larger upper portion of the uterus is called the body and the top of the body is called the fundus

Question 12

uterus fundus

Answer 12

The larger upper portion of the uterus is called the body and the top of the body is called the fundus

Question 13

cervix

Answer 13

The cervix is the inferior portion of the uterus that connects with the vagina. The walls of the uterus have three layers.

Question 14

endometrium

uterus have three layers

Answer 14

The endometrium is the innermost layer that goes through many changes throughout the menstrual cycle, including shedding during menstruation.

Question 15

myometrium

uterus have three layers

Answer 15

The myometrium is the muscular middle layer that contracts during childbirth.

Question 16

perimetrium

uterus have three layers

Answer 16

The perimetrium is the outer layer.

Question 17

fallopian tubes

Answer 17

The fallopian tubes are also called the uterine tubes or oviducts. They are located on either side of the uterus, extend out of the uterus, and end at the ovary.

Question 18

infundibulum

Answer 18

The ovarian end of the tube is called the infundibulum and the opening is called the ostium

Question 19

ostium

Answer 19

The ovarian end of the tube is called the infundibulum and the opening is called the ostium. The ostium is surrounded by tiny finger-like structures called fimbriae.

Question 20

fimbriae

Answer 20

The ostium is surrounded by tiny finger-like structures called fimbriae.

Question 21

ampulla

Answer 21

Moving towards the uterus, the middle section of the tube is called the ampulla and the section that attaches to the uterus is called the isthmus.

Question 21

isthmus

Answer 21

Moving towards the uterus, the middle section of the tube is called the ampulla and the section that attaches to the uterus is called the isthmus.

Question 22

purpose of the fallopian tube

Answer 22

The purpose of the fallopian tube is to collect an ovum or egg after it has been discharged from the ovary and to propel it through the tube toward the uterus.

Question 23

Fertilization, also called conception

Answer 23

Fertilization, also called conception, is when an ovum joins with a sperm cell to form a zygote. This process typically occurs within the fallopian tubes.

Question 24

vagina

Answer 24

The vagina is a tube that extends from the vestibule of the vulva to the uterus. It functions to discharge menstrual fluid and as a passageway for the fetus during childbirth. The vagina also receives the male penis during sexual intercourse.

Question 25

vulva

Answer 25

The vulva is the external female genitalia

Question 26

mons pubis

Answer 26

The vulva is the external female genitalia (Figure 7.8). It contains the mons pubis, which is a triangular-shaped pad of fatty tissue that is covered with pubic hair.

Question 27

labia majora and labia minora

Answer 27

The labia majora and labia minora are folds of tissue that are on either side of the vaginal opening.

Question 28

vestibule

Answer 28

The vestibule is the opening to the vagina that also contains the opening of the urethra (the urinary meatus in Figure 7.8) and the excretory ducts of the Bartholin glands.

Question 29

clitoris

Answer 29

The clitoris is a small organ that has erectile tissue and is responsible for sexual pleasure during intercourse.

Question 30

Breasts

Answer 30

Breasts are organs that contain mammary glands

Question 31

mammary glands

Answer 31

Breasts are organs that contain mammary glands (Figure 7.9). They are located on the chest and are responsible for making milk after childbirth.

Question 32

areola

Answer 32

The areola is the dark, pigmented section in the skin over each breast.

Question 33

nipple

Answer 33

The areola contains the nipple and is where the **lactiferous** or **mammary glands** secrete milk when a baby sucks the breast.

Question 34

prolactin

Answer 34

After childbirth, the hormone prolactin is produced by the anterior pituitary gland. This hormone stimulates the mammary glands to produce milk.

Question 35

Colostrum

Answer 35

Colostrum is the milk that is immediately produced after childbirth. Mature breast milk is produced 2-3 days after childbirth and is the best food available to the newborn infant. Babies can survive on their mother’s milk exclusively for up to 6 months after birth.

Question 36

menstrual cycle

Answer 36

The menstrual cycle is crucial to the normal functioning of the female reproductive system. It is a cycle of changes that happen within the breasts, uterus, vagina, and ovaries that are stimulated by several hormones to produce a mature ovum that can be fertilized.

Question 37

menarche

Answer 37

The first menstrual cycle is called menarche, and it occurs at the end of puberty, marking a mature reproductive system capable of producing offspring. A typical menstrual cycle is 21-35 days in a mature female, and it typically occurs from the teenage years to when a woman is in her 40-50s.

Question 38

menopause

Answer 38

When a female stops menstruating, this is referred to as menopause.

Question 39

follicular phase | phases of the menstrual cycle and the different hormones levels

Answer 39

The first phase of the menstrual cycle is the follicular phase, and it starts on the first day of menstruation. This phase is when the endometrium sheds through a bloody discharge that lasts, on average, for five days.

Question 40

ovulatory phase | phases of the menstrual cycle and the different hormones levels

Answer 40

The next phase is the ovulatory phase, and it is marked by an increase in estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone. Estrogen stimulates the endometrium to thicken and vascularize again, and FSH and LH stimulate the ovaries to produce a follicle that ruptures on the cortex, or surface, of the ovary to release an ovum and then produce progesterone for the third phase of the menstrual cycle. This process is called **ovulation**.

Question 41

luteal phase, also called the secretory phase | phases of the menstrual cycle and the different hormones levels

Answer 41

The final phase of the cycle is the luteal phase, also called the secretory phase. The ruptured follicle is now called a **corpus luteum** and it produces progesterone. Progesterone functions to thicken the mucus produced by the cervix to make it difficult for sperm or bacteria to enter the vagina. Estrogen continues to stimulate the thickening of the endometrium. If the ovum is not fertilized, the corpus luteum dissolves, and progesterone and estrogen production decreases. A new menstrual cycle then starts again.

Question 42

pregnant

Answer 42

If the ovum is fertilized by a sperm during the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle, a woman is pregnant

Question 43

Pregnancy

Answer 43

Pregnancy is the time between conception and the birth of the fetus. A normal pregnancy is 40 weeks long, and this is also called the **gestation period.**

Question 44

gestation period | Pregnancy

Answer 44

A normal pregnancy is 40 weeks long, and this is also called the gestation period.

Question 45

trimesters

Answer 45

Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters that are each 3 months long. There are three stages of human development:

Question 46

pre-embryonic stage | trimesters

Answer 46

The pre-embryonic stage is the first 14 days after conception

Question 47

embryonic stage | trimesters

Answer 47

The embryonic stage is weeks 3-9 after conception. The embryonic period is the time where all the major organs and body systems are formed

Question 48

fetal stage | trimesters

Answer 48

At 9 weeks after conception, every organ system is present, and the embryo is now called a fetus.

Question 49

After 9 weeks | Pregnancy

Answer 49

After 9 weeks, the fetus continues to grow and mature until it is ready for birth around 40 weeks. The organ systems of the body begin to function, and the fetus grows muscle and fat tissue. Figure 7.12 shows a full-term fetus in the uterus. As a pregnancy progresses, the fundus or top of the uterus extends outside of the pelvis and into the abdominal cavity.

Question 50

fundal height

Answer 50

A useful measurement, called the fundal height, is obtained throughout pregnancy. It is the distance in centimeters from the pubic symphysis to the fundus. The fundal height is used to assess fetal growth and development throughout pregnancy. After 24 weeks of pregnancy, the fundal height in centimeters can match the number of weeks a woman has been pregnant.

Question 51

Labor

Answer 51

Labor is the process of the birth of the fetus. The myometrium of the uterus contracts to push the baby out of the uterus and through the vagina, or birth canal. Labor can start hours to weeks before the baby is born.

Question 52

Signs of impending labor

Answer 52

Signs of impending labor include **Braxton Hicks contractions,** which are irregular, painless contractions that start in the second trimester; increased vaginal discharge, **lightening** where the baby descends into the pelvis, **bloody show of mucus** mixed with dark brown blood, which is the dislodging of the mucus plug from the cervix, and the **rupture of membranes** as the amniotic sac ruptures.

Question 53

Active labor

Answer 53

Active labor has three stages.

Question 54

dilation stage | Active labor has three stages.

Answer 54

The first stage is the dilation stage where the cervix thins and dilates to allow the baby to pass through.

Question 55

expulsion | Active labor has three stages.

Answer 55

The second stage is expulsion, which is the time from when the cervix is fully dilated to the actual delivery of the baby.

Question 56

placental stage | Active labor has three stages.

Answer 56

The third stage is the placental stage, which is the delivery of the placenta.

Question 57

placenta

Answer 57

The **placenta** is a temporary organ that provided the nourishment and oxygen to the baby from the mother’s blood supply during pregnancy. It is connected to the baby through the **umbilical cord**. The placenta can also be called the **afterbirth**.

Question 58

postpartum period

Answer 58

The postpartum period is the time from childbirth through 6 weeks after birth. During this time, the female reproductive organs heal from childbirth and return to their pre-pregnancy size.