The Female Reproductive System : Key Terms Flashcards
clitoris
a small erectile body anterior to the urethral opening that is similar to the penis
contraception
the prevention of pregnancy
corpus luteum
the small yellow structure that develops from the ovarian follicle after ovulation and secretes progesterone and estrogen
cul-de-sac
a blind pouch, such as the recess between the rectum and the uterus; the rectouterine pouch or pouch of Douglas
endometrium
the inner lining of the uterus
estrogen
a group of hormones that produce female characteristics and prepare the uterus for the fertilized egg. The most active of this is estradiol
fallopian tube/uterine tube
a tube extending from the upper lateral portion of the uterus that carries the ovum to the uterus; oviduct
fimbriae
the long finger -like extensions of the uterine tube that wave to capture the release ovum
FSH
follicle stimulating hormone: a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that acts on the gonads. In the female, it stimulates ripening of ova in the ovary
fornix
an arch-like space, such as the space between the uppermost wall of the vagina and the cervix
labia majora
the two large folds of skin that form the sides of the vulva
labia minora
the two small folds of skin within the labia majora
LH
luteinizing hormone: a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that acts on the gonads. In the female, it stimulates ovulation and corpus luteum formation
mammary gland
a specialized gland capable of secreting milk in the female; the breast
menarche
the first menstrual period, which normally occurs during puberty
menopause
cessation of menstrual cycles in the female
menstruation
the cyclic discharge of blood and mucosal tissues from the lining of the nonpregnant uterus; menstrual period, menses
myometrium
the muscular wall of the uterus
ovarian follicle
the cluster of cells in which the ovum ripens in the ovary
ovary
a female gonad
ovulation
the release of a mature ovum from the ovary
ovum
the female gamete or reproductive cell
perineum
the region between the thighs from the external genitalia to the anus
progesterone
a hormone produced by the corpus luteum and the placenta that maintains the endometrium for pregnancy
tubal ligation
surgical constriction of the uterine tubes to produce sterilization
uterus
the organ that receives the fertilized egg and maintains the developing offspring during pregnancy
vagina
the muscular tube between the cervix and the vulva
vuvla
the external female genital organs
cervix
neck. Usually means the narrow portion of the uterus ; cervix uteri
candidiasis
infection with the fungus Candida, a common cause of vaginitis
dysmenorrhea
painful or difficult menstruation. A common disorder that may be cause by infection, use of an intrauterine device, endometriosis, overproduction of prostaglandins, or other factors
endometriosis
growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, usually in the pelvic cavity
fibroid
benign tumor of smooth muscle
leiomyoma
benign tumor of smooth muscle, usually in the uterine wall (myometrium). In the uterus, may cause bleeding and pressure on the bladder or rectum. Aka fibroid or myoma
PID
pelvic inflammatory disease: condition caused by the spread of infection from the reproductive tract into the pelvic cavity. Commonly caused by sexually transmitted gonorrhea and Chlamydia infections