Week 10 - Terms

Question 1

Define benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Answer 1

nodular proliferation of prostate glands and stroma (therefore sometimes referred to as nodular hyperplasia); when sufficiently large, nodules compress the urethra and cause urinary obstruction. Incidence rises with age (pathologic evidence in 50% of men aged 50-60 yrs.; 90% in men >80 yrs.).

Question 2

Define colposcopy

Answer 2

a technique for examining the cervix with an instrument that magnifies the cervix and vagina to allow direct observation and study.

Question 3

Define cytology

Answer 3

the microscopic study of cells (origin, structure, function, and pathology).

Question 4

Define dysmenhorrea

Answer 4

painful menstruation

Question 5

Define dysplasia

Answer 5

alteration in size, shape, and organization of adult cells; in some cases, considered a precursor to cancer.

Question 6

Define cryptorchidism

Answer 6

undescended testes; literally means hidden or obscure testes, and generally refers to failure of testicular descent

Question 7

Define cyst

Answer 7

an abnormal sac containing gas, fluid, or semisolid material, with a membranous lining

Question 8

Define ectopic

Answer 8

out of place, e.g., am ectopic pregnancy is one that occurs somewhere other than in the cavity of the uterus ex. in the fallopian tube or ovary.

Question 9

Define endometrial adenocarcinoma

Answer 9

the most common malignant tumour of the female genital tract; 85% of tumours are linked to prolonged estrogenic stimulation of the endometrium.

Question 10

Define endometrial hyperplasia

Answer 10

refers to a morphological continuum that ranges from simple glandular crowding or disorderly proliferation to a conspicuous proliferation of atypical glands that are difficult to distinguish from early carcinoma

Question 11

Define endometriosis

Answer 11

the presence of benign endometrial glands and stroma outside of the uterus.

Question 12

Define hydrosalpinx

Answer 12

accumulation of fluid in the fallopian tube, often a result of pyosalpinx.

Question 13

Define hyperplasia

Answer 13

increase in number of cells

Question 14

Define human papillomavirus (HPV)

Answer 14

a DNA-containing virus that has a strong association with the development of genital tract warts, squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) and cervical cancer.

Question 15

Define koilocytes

Answer 15

a squamous cell, often binucleated, showing a perinuclear halo; characteristic of HPV infection.

Question 16

Define leiomyoma

Answer 16

a benign neoplasm derived from smooth muscle; the most frequent neoplasm of the female genital tract; occur in the body of the uterus in 20 - 30% of women over the age of 30. Are variable in size, shape, number, and location.

Question 17

Define menarche

Answer 17

the establishment or beginning of menstrual function.

Question 18

Define menorrhagia

Answer 18

excessive menstrual bleeding

Question 19

Define metaplasia

Answer 19

the change of one type of adult cell into another.

Question 20

Define pap smear

Answer 20

named after Dr. Papanicolaou; the stain he developed allows for the microscopic examination of sloughed/scraped cells obtained from the cervix and vagina to detect cervical pre-cancer. Sexually active women between the ages of 21 to 69 years old should receive regular Pap smears. Its use has drastically reduced the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in North America.

Question 21

Define pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Answer 21

An infection of the pelvic organs that follows spread of a variety of microorganisms beyond the body of the uterus; infection of the fallopian tubes is common (salpingitis). It may be sexually transmitted (N. gonorrhea is the principal organism), follow an abortion or pregnancy, or occur after IUD insertion or curettage. Chlamydia in frequent and often clinically silent.

Question 22

Define prostate specific antigen (PSA)

Answer 22

protein produced by the epithelial cells of the prostate gland; elevated blood levels occur in association with prostate cancer, but are not specific for cancer (i.e. other benign conditions can elevate PSA). Blood PSA tests are most useful for screening for recurrence of cancer.

Question 23

Define prostatic adenocarcinoma

Answer 23

the most common form of malignancy in men; incidence rises rapidly with age.

Question 24

Define pyosalpinx

Answer 24

distention of the fallopian tube with pus.

Question 25

Define squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL)

Answer 25

a spectrum of intraepithelial changes in the cervix that can be low grade or high grade in appearance. High grade SIL in the cervix is a precursor to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Low grade SIL (LSIL) - enlarged nuclei; high grade SIL (HSIL) - dark, irregular nuclei, loss of cytoplasm.

Question 26

Define salpingitis

Answer 26

inflammation of the fallopian tube (from salpinx = trumpet or tube).

Question 27

Define teratoma

Answer 27

a neoplasm composed of tissues from all three germ layers (ectoderm, endoderm, mesoderm); occur most frequently in the ovary where they are usually benign and form dermoid cysts (hair & skin predominate).