9. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Gamete: Each sex cell (gamete) contains exactly half the number of chromosomes

of a normal body cell.

Ovaries: The ovaries are a pair of small, almond-shaped organs located in the

pelvis.

Fertilization: If coitus occurs and sperm cells are present in the fallopian tube,

union of the ovum and sperm may take place. This union is fertilization.

Gestation: The fertilized egg divided to form a ball of cells called a zygote and then

an embryo and fetus. The period of development within the uterus is called

gestation.

Menopause: Cessation of fertility and diminishing of hormone production.

Placenta: Vascular organ that develops in the uterine wall during pregnancy. It

serves as a communication between maternal and fetal bloodstreams.

Estrogen and progesterone: They play an important role in the processes of

menstruation and pregnancy and in the development of secondary sex

characteristics.

Gynecology: It is the study of the female reproductive system.

Obstetrics: It is a specialty concerned with pregnancy and the delivery of the fetus.

Neonatology: It is the study of the care and treatment of the newborn child.

Fallopian tubes: The fallopian tubes lead from each ovary to the uterus, which is a

hollow muscular organ situated between the urinary bladder and the rectum.

Uterus: The uterus normally is the size and shape of a pear and about 3 inches long

in a nonpregnant woman.

Cul-de-sac: Midway between the uterus and the rectum is a region in the abdominal

cavity known as cul-de-sac.

Vagina: The vagina is a tubular structure extending from the uterus to the exterior

of the body.

Bartholin glands: They are two small, rounded glands on either side of the vaginal

orifice. These glands produce a mucous secretion that lubricates the vagina

Clitoris: The clitoris is an organ of sensitive, erectile tissue located anterior to the

vaginal orifice and in front of the urethral meatus.

Perineum: The region between the vaginal orifice and the anus is the perineum.

Vulva: The external genitalia of the female are collectively called the vulva.

Labia majora: The outer lips of the vagina

Labia minora: The smaller, inner lips of the vagina.

Hymen: The hymen, a thin membrane partially covering the entrance to the vagina.

Utero-ovarian ligament: Each ovary is held in place on either side of the uterus by

a utero-ovarian ligament

Ovarian follicles: Within each ovary are thousands of small sacs called ovarian

follicles. Each follicle contains an ovum.

Ovulation: When an ovum matures, its follicle ruptures through the surface and

releases the ovum from the ovary.

Corpus luteum: It means yellow body. The corpus luteum secretes a hormone to

maintain the very first stages of pregnancy.

Adenexa: The fallopian tubes, ovaries and supporting ligaments are the Adenexa.

Fimbriae: The finger-like ends of the fallopian tube.

Fundus: The rounded upper portion of the uterus.

Corpus: The larger, central section of the uterus.

Endometrium: The specialized inner layer of epithelial mucosa of the uterus.

Myometrium: The middle, muscular layer of the uterine wall.

Uterine serosa: The outer, membranous tissue layer of the uterus.

Cervix: The narrow, lowermost portion of the uterus.

Breasts: The breasts are two mammary glands located in the upper anterior region

of the chest.

Glandular tissue: The glandular tissue contains milk glands or lobules that develop

in response to hormones from the ovaries during puberty.

Mammary papilla: The breast nipple.

Areola: The dark pigmented area around the mammary papilla.

Menarche: It’s the first menstrual cycle that occurs at the onset of puberty.

Chorion: The outermost membrane that surrounds the developing embryo.

Amnion: The innermost of the embryonic membrane holds the fetus suspended in

an amniotic cavity surrounded by a fluid called the amniotic fluid.

Human chorionic Gonadotropins: When women test their urine with a pregnancy

kit, the hCG confirms or denies that they are pregnant.

Intrauterine device: It’s a female reversible birth control measure.

Fetus: Stage in prenatal development from 6 to 39 or 40 weeks.

Follicle stimulating hormone: Secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate

maturation of the egg cell.

Genitalia: Reproductive organs.

Lactiferous ducts: Tubes that carry milk within the breast.

Luteinizing hormone: Hormone produced by the pituitary gland that promotes

ovulation.

Menstruation: Monthly shedding of the uterine lining. The flow of blood and tissue

normally discharged during menstruation is called menses.

Parturition: The act of giving birth.

TAH: A total abdominal hysterectomy is removal of the entire uterus through an

abdominal incision.

TVH: A total vaginal hysterectomy is removal through the vagina.

Amenorrhea: Absence of menses for 6 months or longer than 3 of the patient’s

normal menstrual cycles.

Oligomenorrhea: Infrequent or scanty menstrual periods.

Menorrhagia: Abnormally heavy or long menstrual periods.

Metrorrhagia: Bleeding between menses.

Menometrorrhagia: Excessive uterine bleeding during and between menstrual

periods.

Myomectomy: Removal of fibroids from the uterus.

Leukorrhea: The nonbloody vaginal discharge may be mucoid or purulent and a

sign of infection.

Oxytocin: The pituitary gland releases oxytocin, which stimulates the pregnant

uterus to contract. It also stimulates milk secretion from mammary glands.

Fetal presentation: It’s the manner in which the fetus appears to the examiner

during delivery.

Multigravida: A woman who has been pregnant more than once.

Retroversion: The uterus is abnormally tilted backward.

Cervicitis: Inflammation of the cervix.

Endometriosis: Endometrial tissue located outside the uterus.

Fibroids: Benign tumors in the uterus.

Ovarian cysts: Collections of fluid within a sac in the ovary.

Dermoid cyst: They are lined with a variety of cell types and arise from immature

egg cells in the ovary.

Pelvic Inflammatory disease: Inflammation and infection of organs in the pelvic

region.

Fibrocystic disease: Numerous small sacs of fibrous connective tissue and fluid in

the breast.

Abruptio placenta: Premature separation of the implanted placenta.

Ectopic pregnancy: Implantation of the fertilized egg in any site other than the

normal uterine location.

Placenta previa: Placental implantation over the cervical opening or in the lower

region of the uterine wall.

Preeclampsia: Abnormal condition associated with pregnancy, marked by high

blood pressure, proteinuria, and edema.

Down syndrome: Chromosomal abnormality results in mental retardation, retarded

growth, a flat face with a short nose, low-set ears, and slanted eyes.

Erythroblastosis fetalis: Hemolytic disease in the newborn caused by a blood

group incompatibility between the mother and the fetus.

Hyaline membrane disease: Acute lung disease commonly seen in the premature

newborn.

Hydrocephalus: Accumulation of fluid in the spaces of the brain.

Meconium aspiration syndrome: Abnormal inhalation of Meconium produced by a

fetus or newborn.

Pyloric Stenosis: Narrowing of the opening of the stomach to the duodenum.

Pap smear: Microscopic examination of stained cells removed from the vagina and

cervix.

Mammography: X-ray imaging of the breast.

Colposcopy: Visual examination of the vagina and cervix using a colposcope.

Conization: Removal of a cone-shaped section of the cervix.

Culdocentesis: Needle aspiration of fluid from the cul-de-sac.

D&C: Widening of the cervix and scraping the Endometrium of the uterus.

Exenteration: Removal of internal organs.

Laparoscopy: Visual examination of the abdominal cavity using an endoscope.

Tubal ligation: Blocking the fallopian tubes to prevent fertilization form occurring.

Abortion: Spontaneous or induced termination of pregnancy before the embryo or

fetus can exist on its own.

Amniocentesis: Needle puncture of the amniotic sac to withdraw amniotic fluid for

analysis.

Cesarean section: Surgical incision of the abdominal wall and uterus to deliver a

fetus.

Chorionic villus sampling: Sampling of placental tissues for prenatal diagnosis.

Fetal monitoring: Continuous monitoring of the fetal heart rate and maternal

uterine contractions to reduce fetal distress during labor.

In vitro fertilization: Egg and sperm cells are combined outside the body in a

laboratory dish to facilitate fertilization.

Pelvimetry: Measurement of the dimensions of the maternal pelvis.