Normal Structure And Function

Question 1

Cervix / SER-viks

Answer 1

Neck; usually means the lower narrow portion (neck) of the uterus (root: cervic/o); also called the cervix uteri (U-ter-i)

Question 2

Clitoris / KLIT-o-ris

Answer 2

A small erectile body anterior to the urethral opening that is similar in developmental origin to the penis (roots: clitor/o, clitorid/o)

Question 3

Contraception / kon-trah-SEP-shun

Answer 3

The prevention of pregnancy

Question 4

Corpus Luteum / KOR-pus LU-te-um

Answer 4

The small yellow structure that develops from the ovarian follicle after ovulation and secretes progesterone and estrogen

Question 5

Endometrium / en-do-ME-tre-um

Answer 5

The inner lining of the uterus

Question 6

Estrogen / ES-tro-jen

Answer 6

A group of hormones that produce female characteristics and prepare the uterus for the fertilized egg; the most active of these is estradiol

Question 7

Fallopian tube / fah-LO-pe-an

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Fimbriae / FIM-bre-e

Answer 8

The long finger-like extensions of the uterine tube that wave to capture the released ovum (see FIG. 16-1) (singular: fimbria)

Question 9

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Fornix / FOR-niks

Answer 10

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”

Question 11

Greater vestibular gland / ves-TIB-u-lar

Answer 11

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)

Question 12

Labia Majora / LA-be-ah mah-JOR-ah

Answer 12

The two large folds of skin that form the sides of the vulva (root labi/o means “lip”) (singular: labium majus)

Question 13

Labia Minora / LA-be-ah mi-NOR-ah

Answer 13

The two small folds of skin within the labia majora (singular: labium minus)

Question 14

Luteinizing hormone (LH) / LU-te-in-i-zing

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Mammary gland / MAM-ah-re

Answer 15

A specialized gland capable of secreting milk in the female (roots: mamm/o, mast/o); the breast

Question 16

Menarche / men-AR-ke

Answer 16

The first menstrual period, which normally occurs during puberty

Question 17

Menopause / MEN-o-pawz

Answer 17

Cessation of menstrual cycles in the female

Question 18

Menstruation / men-stru-A-shun

Answer 18

The cyclic discharge of blood and mucosal tissues from the lining of the nonpregnant uterus (roots: men/o, mens); menstrual period, menses (MEN-seze)

Question 19

Myometrium / mi-o-ME-tre-um

Answer 19

The muscular wall of the uterus

Question 20

Ovarian Follicle / o-VAR-e-an FOL-ih-kl

Answer 20

The cluster of cells in which the ovum ripens in the ovary

Question 21

Ovary / O-vah-re

Answer 21

A female gonad (roots: ovari/o, oophor/o)

Question 22

Ovulation / ov-u-LA-shun

Answer 22

The release of a mature ovum from the ovary (from ovule, meaning “little egg”)

Question 23

Ovum / O-vum

Answer 23

The female gamete or reproductive cell (roots: oo, ov/o) (plural: ova)

Question 24

Perineum / per-ih-NE-um

Answer 24

The region between the thighs from the external genitalia to the anus (root: perine/o)

Question 25

Progesterone / pro-JES-ter-one

Answer 25

A hormone produced by the corpus luteum and the placenta that maintains the endometrium for pregnancy

Question 26

Retouterine pouch / rek-to-U-ter-in

Answer 26

A blind pouch, such as the recess between the rectum and the uterus; the cul-de-sac or pouch of Douglas

Question 27

Tubal Ligation / TU-bal li-GA-shun

Answer 27

Surgical constriction of the uterine tubes to produce sterilization

Question 28

Uterine tube / U-ter-in

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Uterus / U-ter-us

Answer 29

The organ that receives the fertilized egg and maintains the developing offspring during pregnancy (roots: uter/o, metr, hyster/o

Question 30

Vagina / vah-JI-nah

Answer 30

The muscular tube between the cervix and the vulva (roots: vagin/o, colp/o)

Question 31

Vulva / VUL-va

Answer 31

The external female genital organs (roots: vulv/o, episi/o)

Question 32

Adnexa /ad-NEK-sah

Answer 32

Appendages, such as the adnexa uteri—the ovaries, uterine tubes, and uterine ligaments

Question 33

Areola / ah-RE-o-lah

Answer 33

A pigmented ring, such as the dark area around the nipple of the breast

Question 34

Graafian follicle / GRAF-e-an

Answer 34

A mature ovarian follicle

Question 35

Hymen / HI-men

Answer 35

A fold of mucous membrane that partially covers the entrance of the vagina

Question 36

Mons pubis / monz PU-bis

Answer 36

The rounded, fleshy elevation anterior to the pubic joint that is covered with hair after puberty

Question 37

Oocyte / O-o-site

Answer 37

An immature ovum

Question 38

Perimenopause / per-ih-MEN-o-pawz

Answer 38

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

Question 39

Vestibule / VES-tih-bule

Answer 39

The space between the labia minora that contains the openings of the urethra, vagina, and ducts of the greater vestibular glands