unit 14 (female reproductive) - medical vocabulary Flashcards
abdominal hysterectomy
the surgical removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries through a large incision to the lower part of the abdomen
abortifacient
a drug that is used to terminate a pregnancy
abortion (AB)
the termination of a pregnancy before the fetus has reached the age of viability; can be spontaneous (as in miscarriage), but as a procedure, is induced
abruptio placentae
the premature detachment of the placenta from the uterine wall during pregnancy; can damage the fetus and lead to excessive blood loss in the mother
adipose
fat tissue
amniocentesis
t transabdominal puncture of the amniotic sac using a needle and syringe to remove amniotic fluid; often performed to assess genetic or developmental conditions of the fetus
amnion
the inner sac that protects the fetus and contains the amniotic fluid
amniotic fluid
a clear fluid in which the embryo, and then the fetus, is suspended
areola
the darker-colored circle around the nipple
body
the center portion of the uterus, where a zygote implants into the uterine wall
breast cancer
a malignant tumor of the mammary gland; characterized by lumps in the breast
breast self-examination (BSE)
monthly visual and palpable breast checks done by a woman to assess for changes in the breasts; often used to check for lumps that may indicate breast cancer
breech birth
a term for the presentation of a baby with its buttocks first
candidiasis
an infection of the skin or mucous membrane caused by a species of Candida (yeast); usually localized in the vagina
certified nurse-midwife (CNM)
a registered nurse who has additional training in obstetrics and gynecology
cervical biopsy
the excision of a small piece of living cervical tissue for microscopic examination; used to make cervix-related diagnoses, such as for cervical dysplasia or cervical cancer
cervical cancer
a malignant tumor of the cervix and the second most common cancer in women; usually caused by human papillomavirus (HPV)
cervical dysplasia
a condition of abnormal cell changes at the surface of the cervix; can lead to cervical cancer; often caused by human papillomavirus (HPV)
cervix
the lower portion of the uterus; also known as the neck
Cesarean section (CS or C-section)
delivery of the fetus from the mother’s body by an incision through the mother’s abdominal wall and uterus; is usually done when there are health concerns for the mother, the fetus, or both
chorion
the outer sac that protects the fetus and forms part of the placenta
chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
a prenatal test performed by removing a section of the chorionic villi to test for chromosomal defects in the fetus
cilia
hair-like projections that actively flex back and forth
clitoris
a small structure made of erectile tissue that is located at the anterior end of the vestibule
colostrum
a thin, yellow fluid that provides rich nutrition in the form of proteins, calories, antibodies, and lymphocytes that help to fortify the infant’s immune system
colporrhaphy
the surgical repair of the vaginal wall; may be done to treat a cystocele or rectocele
colposcopy
the visual examination of the vagina and cervix with a scope; involves selecting epithelial tissue samples for biopsy in patients with abnormal Pap test results
conception
the fusion of an egg and a sperm
conization
the excision of a cone-shaped section of diseased cervical tissue; often used to treat diseases of the cervix
contractions
labor pains that help move the fetus out of the uterus, into the vagina, and then out of the mother’s body
crowning
a term for the presentation of a baby with its head first
culdoscopy
the visual examination of the internal organs of the female pelvic cavity with a scope; often used to diagnose conditions such as ectopic pregnancy and salpingitis
cystocele
a hernia of the bladder that protrudes through the vaginal wall
delivery of the placenta
the third and final stage of labor, during which uterine contractions continue after the baby is born and facilitate expulsion of the placenta, also called the afterbirth
dilation
the process of the cervix opening
dilation and curettage (D&C)
a surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated and an instrument called a curette is used to remove tissue from the uterine wall; is used to diagnose uterine cancer, treat excessively heavy menstrual periods, remove tissue after a miscarriage, or perform an abortion
dilation and effacement
the first stage of labor, during which the uterine muscles exert strong contractions to expel the fetus
doula
a professional who has been trained and certified to assist a birthing family before, during, and immediately after the birth of the baby
eclampsia
a condition in which seizures occur in a pregnant woman with high blood pressure between the twentieth week of pregnancy and the first week postpartum (after childbirth); typically leads to coma, threatening the welfare of the mother and baby
ectopic pregnancy
a complication of pregnancy in which the zygote implants outside the uterus (often in the fallopian tube); usually leads to termination of the pregnancy, and if left untreated, can threaten the life of the mother
effacement
the process of cervical thinning
electronic fetal monitoring
a procedure in which an electronic device or instrument is used to record the fetal heart rate (FHR) and rhythm; during labor, uterine contractions are also monitored
embryo
the developing human from the time of implantation to the end of the eighth week after conception
endometrial biopsy
the excision of a small piece of living tissue from the endometrium to test for abnormalities; can be used to help diagnose conditions such as uterine cancer and PCOS
endometrial cancer
a malignant cancer of the endometrium
endometriosis
a condition in which endometrial tissue develops outside of the uterus and in various sites throughout the pelvis or in the abdominal wall; characterized by pelvic pain, cramping, and sometimes infertility
endometrium
the innermost layer of the uterus, which is shed each month during menstruation
episiotomy
an incision made into the perineum, or the area between the vulva and anus, during the second stage of labor; is used to avoid tearing of the perineal structure during childbirth
estrogen
the female sex hormone that controls the development and maintenance of female characteristics
expulsion
the second stage of labor, which is the period between the complete dilation of the cervix and delivery of the fetus
fallopian tubes
two tubes that extend from the lateral ends of the ovaries to the top of the uterus
fertility drug
a medication that stimulates ovulation; used to increase fertility
fetus
a developing human from eight weeks after conception to birth
fibrocystic breast changes
a condition in which fibrous, noncancerous tumors develop in the mammary tissue, causing painful, lumpy breasts
fibroid tumor
a completely encapsulated, benign growth of fibers in the uterus that is sustained by a blood supply from nearby vessels; varies in size from as small as a few millimeters to large enough to fill the entire uterine cavity
fimbriae
finger-like projections located near the outer end of the fallopian tube
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates ova production and the release of estrogen during menstruation
follicles
fluid-filled sacs that keep the ova safe until they mature