Key Terms

Question 1

corpus luteum

Answer 1

The small yellow structure that develops from the graafian follicle after ovulation and secretes progesterone and estrogen

Question 2

fimbriae

Answer 2

The long finger-like extensions of the oviduct that wave to capture the released ovum (singular: fimbria)

Question 3

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Answer 3

A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that acts on the gonads. In the female, it stimulates ripening of the ova in the ovary

Question 4

fornix

Answer 4

An arch-like space, such as the space between the uppermost wall of the vagina and the cervix; from Latin meaning “arch”

Question 5

greater vestibular gland

Answer 5

A small gland that secretes mucus through a duct that opens near the vaginal orifice; also called Bartholin (BAR-to-lin) gland (see Fig. 15-2)

Question 6

luteinizing hormone (LH)

Answer 6

A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that acts on the gonads. In the female, it stimulates ovulation and formation of the corpus luteum

Question 7

menarche

Answer 7

The first menstrual period, which normally occurs during puberty

Question 8

myometrium

Answer 8

The muscular wall of the uterus

Question 9

ovarian follicle

Answer 9

The cluster of cells in which the ovum ripens in the ovary

Question 10

ovum

Answer 10

The female gamete or reproductive cell (plural: ova) (root: oo, ov/o)

Question 11

perineum

Answer 11

The region between the thighs from the external genitals to the anus (root: perine/o)

Question 12

progesterone

Answer 12

A hormone produced by the corpus luteum and the placenta that maintains the endometrium for pregnancy

Question 13

rectouterine pouch

Answer 13

A blind pouch, such as the recess between the rectum and the uterus; the cul-de-sac or pouch of Douglas

Question 14

tubal ligation

Answer 14

Surgical constriction of the oviducts to produce sterilization

Question 15

vulva

Answer 15

The external female genital organs (root: vulv/o, episi/o)

Question 16

dysmenorrhea

Answer 16

Painful or difficult menstruation.

Question 17

endometriosis

Answer 17

Growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, usually in the pelvic cavity

Question 18

fibroid

Answer 18

Benign tumor of smooth muscle (see leiomyoma)

Question 19

leiomyoma

Answer 19

Benign tumor of smooth muscle, usually in the uterine wall (myometrium). Another word for fibroid.

Question 20

metrorrhagia

Answer 20

Uterine bleeding between normal menstrual periods

Question 21

pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Answer 21

Condition caused by the spread of infection from the reproductive tract into the pelvic cavity.

Question 22

colposcope

Answer 22

Instrument for examining the vagina and cervix

Question 23

cone biopsy

Answer 23

Removal of a cone of tissue from the lining of the cervix for cytologic examination

Question 24

dilation and curettage (D&C)

Answer 24

Procedure in which the cervix is dilated (widened) and the uterine lining is scraped with a curette

Question 25

Pap smear

Answer 25

Study of cells collected from the cervix and vagina for early detection of cancer. Also called Papanicolaou smear or Pap test.

Question 26

sentinel node biopsy

Answer 26

Biopsy of the first lymph nodes to receive drainage from a tumor;

Question 27

stereotactic biopsy

Answer 27

Needle biopsy using a computer-guided imaging system to locate suspicious tissue and remove samples for study

Question 28

tomosynthesis

Answer 28

Three-dimensional x-ray imaging technique for detection of breast cancer;

Question 29

adnexa

Answer 29

Appendages, such as the adnexa uteri—the ovaries, oviducts, and uterine ligaments

Question 30

Graafian follicle

Answer 30

Mature ovarian follicle

Question 31

hymen

Answer 31

A fold of mucous membrane that partially covers the entrance of the vagina

Question 32

oocyte

Answer 32

An immature ovum

Question 33

perimenopause

Answer 33

The period immediately before and after menopause; begins at the time of irregular menstrual cycles and ends one year after the last menstrual period; averages three to four years

Question 34

vestibule

Answer 34

The space between the labia minora that contains the openings of the urethra, vagina, and ducts of the greater vestibular glands

Question 35

cystocele

Answer 35

Herniation of the urinary bladder into the wall of the vagina

Question 36

dyspareunia

Answer 36

Pain during sexual intercourse

Question 37

fibrocystic disease of the breast

Answer 37

A condition in which there are palpable lumps in the breasts, usually associated with pain and tenderness. These lumps or “thickenings” change with the menstrual cycle and must be distinguished from malignant tumors by diagnostic methods

Question 38

leukorrhea

Answer 38

White or yellowish discharge from the vagina.

Question 39

rectocele

Answer 39

Herniation of the rectum into the wall of the vagina

Question 40

chorion

Answer 40

The outermost layer of the embryo that, with the endometrium, forms the placenta (adjective: chorionic)

Question 41

colostrum

Answer 41

Breast fluid that is secreted in the first few days after giving birth, before milk is produced

Question 42

ductus arteriosus

Answer 42

A fetal blood vessel that connects the pulmonary artery with the descending aorta, thus allowing blood to bypass the lungs

Question 43

foramen ovale

Answer 43

A small hole in the interatrial septum in the fetal heart that allows blood to pass directly from the right to the left side of the heart

Question 44

gravida

Answer 44

Pregnant woman

Question 45

human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Answer 45

A hormone secreted by the embryo early in pregnancy that maintains the corpus luteum so that it will continue to secrete hormones

Question 46

para

Answer 46

Woman who has produced a viable infant. Multiple births are considered as single pregnancies

Question 47

parturition

Answer 47

Childbirth (root: nat/i); labor (root: toc/o)

Question 48

prostaglandins

Answer 48

A group of hormones with varied effects, including the stimulation of uterine contractions

Question 49

zygote

Answer 49

The fertilized ovum