Areola
darker pigmented, circular area surrounding the nipple of each breast
Bartholin's glands
two small, mucus-secreting glands located on the posterior and lateral aspects of the entrance to the vagina
Cervix
the part of the uterus that produces into the cavity of the vagina; neck of the uterus
Climacteric
the cessation of menstruation
Coitus
sexual union of two people of the opposite sex; also known as sexual intercourse or copulation
Corpus luteum
yellowish mass that forms within the ruptured ovarian follicle after ovulation, functions as a temporary endocrine gland for the purpose of secreting estrogen
Ectopic pregnancy
abnormal implantation of a fertilized ovum outside the uterine cavity; also called tubule pregnancy
Endometrium
the inner lining of the uterus
Episiotomy
surgical procedure in which an incision is made into the woman's perineum to enlarge the vaginal opening for the delivery of the baby; prevent tearing
Fertilization
the union of a ale sperm and a female ovum
Fimbriae
the fringelike end of the fallopian tube
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
Gynecology
branch of medicine that deals with the study of diseases and disorders of the female reproductive system
Mammary glands
the female breasts
Mastectomy
surgical removal of the breasts as a treatment method for breast cancer
Mastitis
inflammation of the breast
Menarche
onset of menstruation; the first menstrual period
Menopause
the permanent cessation (stopping) of the menstrual cycles
Menorrhea
menstrual flow; menstruation
Menstruation
periodic shedding of the lining of the nonpregnant uterus through a bloody discharge that passes through the vagina. Monthly intervals 3to 5 days
Myometrium
the muscular layer of the uterine wall
Nulligravida
a woman who has never been pregnant
Nullipara
a woman who has never completed pregnancy beyond 20 weeks' gestation
Ovary
one pair of female gonads responsible for producing mature eggs and releasing them at monthly intervals
Ovum
the female reproductive cell; female sex cell or egg
Perineum
the area between the vaginal orifice and the anus that consist 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
Premenstrual syndrome
group of symptoms that include irritability, fluid retention, tenderness of the breast, and a general feeling of depression
Primigravida
a woman who is pregnant for the first time
Primipara
a woman who has given birth for the first time, after a pregnancy of at least 20 weeks' gestation
Puberty
the period of life at which the ability to reproduce begins
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
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
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 breasts
Pelvic inflammatory disease
infection of the fallopian tubes; also known as
salpingitis
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 breasts, 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; 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 (D&C)
dilation or widening of the cervical canal with a dilator, flowed by scraping of the uterine lining with a curet
Mammography
the process of examining with X-ray the soft tissue of the breasts to detect various benign and or malignant growths before they can be felt
Pap smear
diagnostic test for cervical cancer; microscopic examination of cells scraped from within the cervix
EMB
endometrial biopsy
GYN
gynecology
IUD
intrauterine device
LMP
last menstrual period
PID
pelvic inflammatory disease