Obstetrics and Gynecology Vocabulary

Question 1

abortion (AB)

Answer 1

Discharge of embryo from uterus before about 20th week of gestation;

Question 2

abruptio placentae

Answer 2

Emergency condition occurring when placenta tears away from uterine wall prior to birth of fetus;

Question 3

atresia

Answer 3

Lack of normal body opening;

Question 4

breast cancer

Answer 4

Malignant tumor of breast;

Question 5

cervical cancer

Answer 5

Malignant tumor of cervix; some cases caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), sexually transmitted virus for which there is now vaccine;

Question 6

cesarean section (CS, C-Section)

Answer 6

Surgical birth of baby through incision into abdominal and uterine walls;

Question 7

conization

Answer 7

Surgical removal of a core of cervical tissue for biopsy

Question 8

cystocele

Answer 8

Hernia or out pouching of bladder protrudes into vagina;

Question 9

dilation and curettage (D&C)

Answer 9

Surgical procedure consisting of widening cervix and scraping or suctioning out endometrial lining of uterus;

Question 10

ectopic pregnancy

Answer 10

Pregnancy occurring outside of uterus, usually in fallopian tubes;

Question 11

endometriosis

Answer 11

Occurs when endometrial tissue appears throughout pelvic or abdominal cavity;

Question 12

endometrial cancer

Answer 12

Cancerous tumor forms in lining of uterus

Question 13

fetal monitoring

Answer 13

Use of electronic equipment placed on mother’s abdomen or fetus’ scalp to check fetal heart rate and fetal heart tone during labor;

Question 14

fibrocystic breast tissue

Answer 14

Benign cysts in breast tissue;

Question 15

fibroid tumor

Answer 15

Benign tumor of fiber like tissue; the most common type of tumor in women

Question 16

fistula

Answer 16

Abnormal passageway that develops between two structures;

Question 17

hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN)

Answer 17

Condition developing in fetus when mother’s blood type is Rh-negative and baby’s blood is Rh-positive;

Question 18

ovarian cancer

Answer 18

Cancerous tumor formed within ovary

Question 19

papanicolaou (PAP) smear

Answer 19

Test for early detection of cervical cancer;

Question 20

pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Answer 20

Chronic or acute infection, usually bacterial, that ascends through female reproductive tract and out into pelvic cavity;

Question 21

placenta previa

Answer 21

Placenta forms in lower portion of uterus and blocks birth canal;

Question 22

premature birth

Answer 22

Birth of fetus before 37 weeks of gestation

Question 23

premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Answer 23

Symptoms that develop just prior to onset of menstrual period;

Question 24

prolapsed uterus

Answer 24

Fallen uterus that can cause cervix to protrude through vaginal opening

Question 25

tubal ligation

Answer 25

Surgical tying off of fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy

Question 26

D&C

Answer 26

dilation and curettage

Question 27

PAP

Answer 27

papanicolaou test