adnexa
tissues or structures in the body that are next to or near another
areola
the darker pigmented, circular area surrounding the nipple of each breast
cervix
the part of the uterus that protrudes into the cavity of the vagina; the neck of the uterus
climacteric
the cessation of menstruation
clitoris
the vaginal erectile tissue corresponding to the male penis
coitus
the sexual union of two people of the opposite sex in which the penis is introduced into the vagina; also known as sexual intercourse or copulation
corpus luteum
a yellowish mass that forms within the ruptured ovarian follicle after ovulation, containing high levels of progesterone and some estrogen
diaphragm
a term used in gynecology to represent a form of contraception
endometrium
the inner lining of the uterus
estrogen
one of the female hormones that promotes the development of the female secondary sex characteristics
fallopian tubes
one of a pair of tubes opening at one end into the uterus and at the other end into the peritoneal cavity, over the ovary
fertilization
the union of a male sperm and a female ovum
fimbriae
the fringelike end of the fallopian tubes
fourchette
a tense band of mucous membranes at the posterior rim of the vaginal opening; the point at which the labia minora connect
fundus
the dome-shaped central, upper portion of the uterus between the points of insertion of the fallopian tubes
gamete
a mature sperm or ovum
gonads
a gamete-producing gland, such as an ovary or a testis
gynecologist
a physician who specializes in the medical specialty that deals with diseases and disorders of the female reproductive system
hymen
a thin layer of elastic, connective tissue membrane that forms a border around the outer opening of the vagina and may partially cover the vaginal opening
labia majora
two folds of skin containing fatty tissue and covered with hair that lie on either side of the vaginal opening, extending from the mon pubis to the perineum; the outer surface of the labia majora is covered by pubic hair; the inner surface is smooth and m
labia minora
two folds of hairless skin located within the folds of the labia majora; the labia minora extend from the clitoris downward toward the perineum
mammary glands
the female breast
mastectomy
surgical removal of the breast as a treatment method for breast cancer; can be simple (breast only), modified radical (breast plus lymph nodes in axilla), or radical (breast, lymph nodes, and chest muscles on affected sides)
mastitis
inflammation of the breast
menarche
onset of menstruation; the first menstrual period
menopause
the permanent cessation of the menstrual cycles
menstruation
the periodic shedding of the lining of the nonpregnant uterus through a bloody discharge that passes through the vagina to the outside of the body; it occurs at monthly intervals and lasts for 3 to 5 days
myometrium
the muscular layer of the uterine wall
ovary
one of a pair of female gonads responsible for producing mature ova and releasing them at a monthly intervals; also responsible for producing the female hormones estrogen and progesterone
perineum
the area between the vaginal orifice and the anus that consists of muscular and fibrous tissue and serves as support for the pelvic structures
pregnancy
the period of intrauterine development of the fetus from conception through birth; the average pregnancy lasts approximately 40 weeks
premenstrual syndrome
a group of symptoms that include irritability, fluid retention, tenderness of breasts, and a general feeling of depression occurring shortly before the onset of menstruation ; also called PMS
progesterone
one of the female hormones secreted by the corpus luteum and the placenta; it is primarily responsible for the changes that occur in the endometrium in anticipation of a fertilized ovum, and for development of the maternal placenta after implantation of a
puberty
the period of life at which the ability to reproduce begins
sperm
a mature male germ cell
uterus
the hollow, pear-shaped organ of the female reproductive system that houses fertilized, implanted ovum as it develops throughout pregnancy
vagina
the muscular tube that connects the uterus with the vulva
vulva
the external genitalia that consists of the mons pubis, labia majora, clitoris, labia minora, vestibule, urinary meatus, vaginal orifice, Bartholin's glands, and perineum
amenorrhea
absence of menstrual flow
dysmenorrhea
painful menstrual flow
menorrhagia
abnormally long or very heavy menstrual periods
metrorrhagia
uterine bleeding at times other than the menstrual period
oligomenorrhea
abnormally light or infrequent menstruation
abstinence
to abstain from having vaginal intercourse
oral contraceptives
birth control pills, contain synthetic forms of the hormones estrogen and progesterone and are taken by mouth
Depo-Provera injection
a form of contraception administered intramuscularly, approximately once every 12 weeks
tubal ligation
surgically cutting and tying the fallopian tubes to prevent passage of ova or sperm through the tubes, consequently preventing pregnancy; female sterilization
cervicitis
an acute or chronic inflammation of the uterine cervix
cystocele
herniation or downward protrusion of the urinary bladder through the wall of the vagina
endometrial carcinoma
malignant tumor of the inner lining of the uterus; also known as adenocarcinoma of the uterus
endometriosis
the presence and growth of endometrial tissue in areas outside the endometrium (lining of the uterus)
fibrocystic breast disease
the presence of single or multiple fluid-filled cysts that are palpable in the breast
fibroid tumor
a benign, fibrous tumor of the uterus
ovarian carcinoma
a malignant tumor of the ovaries, most commonly occurring in women in thier 50's; it is rarely detected in the early stage and is usually far advanced when diagnosed
ovarian cysts
benign, globular sacs (cysts) that form on or near the ovaries; these cysts may be fluid filled or they may contain semisolid material
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
infection of the fallopian tubes
salpingitis
inflammation of the fallopian tubes
urinary stress incontinence
the inability to hold urine when the bladder is stressed by sneezing, coughing, laughing, or lifting
vaginitis
inflammation of the vagina and the vulva
aspiration biopsy
an invasive procedure in which a needle is inserted into an area of the body, such as the breast, to withdraw a tissue or fluid sample for microscopic examination and diagnosis
colposcopy
visual examination of the vagina and cervix with a colposcope
cone biopsy
surgical removal of a cone-shaped segment of the cervix for diagnosis or treatment; also known as a conization
cryosurgery
the destruction of tissue by rapid freezing with substances such as liquid nitrogen
culdocentesis
the surgical puncture through the posterior wall of the vagina into the cul-de-sac to withdraw intraperitoneal fluid for examination
dilation and curettage
dilation or widening of the cervical canal with a dilator, followed by scraping of the uterine lining with a curet; also termed D&C
endometrial biopsy
invasive test for obtaining a sample of endometrial tissue for examination
laparoscopy
the process of viewing the abdominal cavity with a laparoscope
mammography
the process of examining with X-ray the soft tissue of the breast to detect various benign and /or malignant growths before they can be felt
PAP smear
a diagnostic test for cervical cancer, that is, a microscopic examination of (PAP test) cells scraped from within the cervix, from around the cervix, and from the posterior part of the vagina to test for cervical cancer
Liquid-based PAP
a process of collecting a tissue sample from the endocervix and the exocervix with a sampling device that is placed directly into a liquid fixative instead of being spread into a glass slide
pelvic ultrasound
a noninvasive procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to examine the abdomen and pelvis