Normal Structure And Function Flashcards
Cervix / SER-viks
Neck; usually means the lower narrow portion (neck) of the uterus (root: cervic/o); also called the cervix uteri (U-ter-i)
Clitoris / KLIT-o-ris
A small erectile body anterior to the urethral opening that is similar in developmental origin to the penis (roots: clitor/o, clitorid/o)
Contraception / kon-trah-SEP-shun
The prevention of pregnancy
Corpus Luteum / KOR-pus LU-te-um
The small yellow structure that develops from the ovarian follicle after ovulation and secretes progesterone and estrogen
Endometrium / en-do-ME-tre-um
The inner lining of the uterus
Estrogen / ES-tro-jen
A group of hormones that produce female characteristics and prepare the uterus for the fertilized egg; the most active of these is estradiol
Fallopian tube / fah-LO-pe-an
A tube extending from the upper lateral portion of the uterus that carries the ovum to the uterus (root: salping/o); also called fallopian (fah-LO-pe-an) tube
Fimbriae / FIM-bre-e
The long finger-like extensions of the uterine tube that wave to capture the released ovum (see FIG. 16-1) (singular: fimbria)
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that acts on the gonads; in males, FSH stimulates Sertoli cells and promotes sperm development; in females, it stimulates ripening of ova in the ovary
Fornix / FOR-niks
An arch-like space, such as the space between the uppermost wall of the vagina and the cervix (see FIG. 16-1); from Latin meaning “arch”
Greater vestibular gland / ves-TIB-u-lar
A small gland that secretes mucus through a duct that opens near the vaginal orifice; also called Bartholin (BAR-to-lin) gland (see FIG. 16-2)
Labia Majora / LA-be-ah mah-JOR-ah
The two large folds of skin that form the sides of the vulva (root labi/o means “lip”) (singular: labium majus)
Labia Minora / LA-be-ah mi-NOR-ah
The two small folds of skin within the labia majora (singular: labium minus)
Luteinizing hormone (LH) / LU-te-in-i-zing
A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that acts on the gonads; in males, it stimulates the interstitial cells to produce testosterone; in females, it stimulates ovulation and corpus luteum formation
Mammary gland / MAM-ah-re
A specialized gland capable of secreting milk in the female (roots: mamm/o, mast/o); the breast
Menarche / men-AR-ke
The first menstrual period, which normally occurs during puberty
Menopause / MEN-o-pawz
Cessation of menstrual cycles in the female
Menstruation / men-stru-A-shun
The cyclic discharge of blood and mucosal tissues from the lining of the nonpregnant uterus (roots: men/o, mens); menstrual period, menses (MEN-seze)
Myometrium / mi-o-ME-tre-um
The muscular wall of the uterus
Ovarian Follicle / o-VAR-e-an FOL-ih-kl
The cluster of cells in which the ovum ripens in the ovary
Ovary / O-vah-re
A female gonad (roots: ovari/o, oophor/o)
Ovulation / ov-u-LA-shun
The release of a mature ovum from the ovary (from ovule, meaning “little egg”)
Ovum / O-vum
The female gamete or reproductive cell (roots: oo, ov/o) (plural: ova)
Perineum / per-ih-NE-um
The region between the thighs from the external genitalia to the anus (root: perine/o)
Progesterone / pro-JES-ter-one
A hormone produced by the corpus luteum and the placenta that maintains the endometrium for pregnancy
Retouterine pouch / rek-to-U-ter-in
A blind pouch, such as the recess between the rectum and the uterus; the cul-de-sac or pouch of Douglas
Tubal Ligation / TU-bal li-GA-shun
Surgical constriction of the uterine tubes to produce sterilization
Uterine tube / U-ter-in
A tube extending from the upper lateral portion of the uterus that carries the ovum to the uterus (root: salping/o); also called fallopian (fah-LO-pe-an) tube
Uterus / U-ter-us
The organ that receives the fertilized egg and maintains the developing offspring during pregnancy (roots: uter/o, metr, hyster/o
Vagina / vah-JI-nah
The muscular tube between the cervix and the vulva (roots: vagin/o, colp/o)
Vulva / VUL-va
The external female genital organs (roots: vulv/o, episi/o)
Adnexa /ad-NEK-sah
Appendages, such as the adnexa uteri—the ovaries, uterine tubes, and uterine ligaments
Areola / ah-RE-o-lah
A pigmented ring, such as the dark area around the nipple of the breast
Graafian follicle / GRAF-e-an
A mature ovarian follicle
Hymen / HI-men
A fold of mucous membrane that partially covers the entrance of the vagina
Mons pubis / monz PU-bis
The rounded, fleshy elevation anterior to the pubic joint that is covered with hair after puberty
Oocyte / O-o-site
An immature ovum
Perimenopause / per-ih-MEN-o-pawz
The period immediately before menopause; begins at the time of irregular menstrual cycles and ends 1 year after the last menstrual period; averages 3 to 4 years
Vestibule / VES-tih-bule
The space between the labia minora that contains the openings of the urethra, vagina, and ducts of the greater vestibular glands
