- abdominal hysterectomy
- removal of the uterus through an incision in the abdomen
- abortifacient
- drug that causes abortion (eg. mifepristone, formerly known as RU486)
- abortion (AB)
- expulsion of the products of conception before the fetus is viable (able to live outside the uterus)
- abruptio placentae
- premature detachment of a normally situated placenta
- adenocarcinoma of the breast
- malignant tumor of glandular breast tissue
- adhesiolysis, adhesiotomy
- breaking down or severing of pelvic adhesions
- adnexa
- uterine tubes and ovaries (uterine appendages)
- amastia
- absence of a breast
- amenorrhea
- absence of menstruation
- amniocentesis
- aspiration of a small amount of amniotic fluid for analysis of possible fetal abnormalities
- amnioinfusion
- introduction of a solution into the amniotic sac; an isotonic solution is most commonly used to relieve fetal distress
- amnion, amniotic sac
- innermost of the membranes surrounding the embryo in the uterus, filled with amniotic fluid
- amniotic fluid
- fluid within the amniotic sac that surrounds and protects the fetus
- anovulation
- absence of ovulation
- anteflexion
- abnormal forward bending of the uterus
- areola
- dark-pigmented area around the nipple
- aspiration biopsy, needle biopsy
- needle draw of tissue or fluid from a cavity for cytologic examination
- atrophic vaginitis
- thinning of the vagina and loss of moisture because of depletion of estrogen, which causes inflammation of tissue
- augmentation mammoplasty
- reconstruction to enlarge the breast, often by insertion of an implant
- barrier contraceptives
- products that provide a physical barrier to prevent conception (eg. condoms or diaphragms)
- Bartholin glands
- two glands located on either side of the vaginal opening that secrete a lubricant during intercourse
- bilateral salpingooophorectomy
- excision of both uterine tubes and ovaries
- biopsy (Bx)
- removal of tissue for microscopie pathologic examination
- carcinoma in situ (CIS) of the cervix
- malignant cell changes of the cervix that are localized, without any spread to adjacent structures
- cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD)
- condition preventing normal delivery through the birth canal; either the baby's head is too large or the birth canal is too small
- cervical conization
- removal of a cone-shaped portion of the cervix
- cervical effacement
- progressive obliteration of the endocervical canal during delivery
- cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), cervical dysplasia
- potentially cancerous abnormality of epithelial tissue of the cervix, graded according to the extent of abnormal cell formation: CIN1: mild dysplasia; CIN2: moderate dysplasia; CIN3: severe dysplasia
- cervical neoplasia
- abnormal development of cervical tissue cells
- cervical os
- opening of the cervix to the uterus
- cervicitis
- inflammation of the cervix
- cesarean section (C-section)
- surgical delivery of a baby via an incision through the abdomen and into the uterus
- chemotherapy
- treatment of malignancies, infections and other diseases with chemical agents that destroy selected cells or impair theier ability to reproduce
- chlamydia
- most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection in North America; often occurs with no symptoms and is treated only after it was been spread, such as after causing pelvic inflammatory disease
- chorionc villus sampling (CVS)
- sampling of placental tissue for microscopic and chemical examination to detect fetal abnormalities
- clitoris
- female erectile tissue in the anterior portion of the vulva
- colp/o, vagin/o
- vagina (sheath)
- colporrhaphy
- suture to repair the vagina
- colporrhaphy A&P repair
- anterior and posterior repair of cystocele and rectocele
- colporrhaphy anterior repair
- repair of a cystocele
- colporrhaphy posterior repair
- repair of a rectocele
- colposcopy
- examination of the vagina and cervix using a colposcope, a specialized microscope which often has a camera attachment for photographs; used to document findings and for followup treatments
- condyloma acuminatum
- lesion that appears as a result of human papilloma virus; on the skin, the lesions appear as cauliflower-like warts, and on mucous membranes, they have a flat appearance; also known as venereal or genital warts
- congenital anomalies, congenital irregularities
- birth defects that cause abnormal development of an organ or a structure (eg. double uterus or absent vagina)
- contraceptive implant
- insertion of a contraceptive capsule under the skin to provide a continual infusion over an extended period
- contraceptive injection
- injection of a contraceptive hormone (eg. Depo-Provera)
- cryosurgery
- method of destroying tissue by freezing; used for treating dysplasia and early cancers
- cystocele
- pouching of the bladder into the vagina
- dermoid cyst
- congenital tumor composed of displaced embryonic tissue (teeth, bone, cartilage, and hair); typically found in an ovary and usually benign
- dilation and curettage (D&C)
- dilation of the cervix and scraping of the endometrium to control bleeding, to obtain tissue for biopsy, or to move polyps or products of conception
- dilation and evacuation (D&E)
- dilation of the cervix and removal of the products of conception; most commonly performed in the second trimester of pregnancy, after a missed abortion
- displacement of the uterus
- displacement of the uterus from its normal position
- dysmenorrhea
- painful menstruation
- dyspareunia
- painful intercourse (coitus)
- eclampsia
- true toxema of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure, albuminuria, edema of the legs and feet, severe headaches, dizziness, convulsions, and coma
- ectopic pregnancy
- implantation of the fertilized egg outside the uterine cavity, often in the tube or ovary, or rarely, in the abdominal cavity
- embryo
- the developing organism from fertilization to the end of the eighth week
- endometriosis
- condition characterized by migration of portions of endometrial tissue outisde the uterine cavity
- endometritis
- inflammation of the endometrium
- endometrium
- lining of the uterus, which is shed approximately every 28 to 30 days in a nonpregnant female during menstruation
- endoscopic biopsy
- removal of a specimen for biopsy during an endoscopic procedure (eg. colposcopy)
- endovaginal sonogram, transvaginal sonogram
- ultrasound image of the uterus, tubes, and ovaries made after introduction of an ultrasonic transducer within the vagina; useful for detecting pathology(eg. ectopic pregnancy or missed abortion)
- enterocele
- pouching sac of peritoneum between the vagina and the rectum
- episi/o, vulv/o
- vulva (covering)
- episiotomy
- incision of the perineum to facilitate delivery of a baby
- erythroblastosis fetalis
- disorder that results from the incompatability of a fetus with an Rh-positive blood factor and a mother with an Rh-negative blood factor, causing red blood cell destruction in the fetus; this condition necessitates a blood transfusion to save the fetus
- estimated date of confinement (EDC), estimated date of delivery (EDD)
- expected date for delivery of the baby; normally 280 days or 40 weeks from last menstrual period (LMP)
- excisional biopsy
- removal of an entire lesion for microscopic examination
- external version
- abdominal manipulation
- fetal monitoring
- use of an electronic device for simultaneous recording of fetal heart rate and uterine contractions
- fetus
- the developing organism from the ninth week to birth
- fibrocystic breasts
- benign condition of the breast consisting of fibrous and cystic changes that render the tissue more dense; patient feels painful lumps that fluctuate with menstrual periods
- fibroid, fibromyoma, leiomyoma
- benign tumor in the uterus composed of smooth muscle and fibrous connective tissue
- fistula
- abnormal passage, such as from one hollow organ to another
- fundus
- upper portion of the uterus above the entry to the uterine tubes
- gonorrhea
- contagious inflammation of the genital mucous membranes caused by invasion of the gonococus Neisseria gonorrhea; the term refers to the urethral discharge characteristic of the infection, which was first thought to be a leakage of semen
- gravida
- a pregnant woman; gravida followed by a number indicates the number of pregnancies
- gynecomastia
- development of mammary glands in the male caused by altered hormone levels
- habitual abortion
- spontaneous abortion occurring in three or more consecutive pregnancies
- hepatitis B virus (HBV)
- virus that causes an inflammation of the liver; transmitted through any body fluid, including vaginal secretions, semen, and blood
- herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2)
- virus that causes ulcer-like lesions of the genital and anorectal skin and mucosa; after the initial infection, the virus lies dormant in the nerve cell root and may recur at times of stresss
- hormonal contraceptives
- hormones used to prevent conception by suppressing ovulation
- hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- use of a hormone (eg. estrogen or progesterone) to replace a deficiency or to regulate production
- human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- virus that causes AIDS , permitting various opportunistic infections, malignancies, and neurologic diseases; contracted through exposure to contaminated blood or body fluid
- human papilloma virus (HPV)
- virus transmitted by direct sexual contact; infection can manifest on the skin or mucous membranes of the genitals
- hymen
- fold of mucous membrane that encircles the entrance to the vagina
- hyperemesis gravidarum
- severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy that can cause severe dehydration in the mother and fetus
