Ch. 10 Anatomy & Physiology of the Female Reproductive System
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Created by:
jesspark04 on July 3, 2010
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MiraCosta Summer Medical Terminology Study Group
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64 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 breasts | Milk-producing glands to provide nutrition for newborn. Also called mammary glands. |
| fallopian tubes | Organ in the female reproductive system that transports eggs from the ovary to the uterus. |
| fertilization | Also called impregnation. The fusion of an ova and sperm to produce an embryo. |
| genitalia | The male and female reproductive organs. |
| ova | The female sex cell or gamete produced in the ovary. An ovum fuses with a sperm to produce an embryo. Singular is ovum. |
| ovaries | The female gonads. These two glands are located on either side of the lower abdominopelvic region of the female. They are responsible for the production of the sex cells, ova, and the hormones estrogen and progesterone. |
| pregnancy | The time from fertilization of an ovum to the birth of the newborn. |
| sex hormones | Hormones secreted by the gonads and the adrenal cortex; estrogen and progesterone in females and testosterone in males. |
| uterus | Also called the womb. An internal organ of the female reproductive system. This hollow, pear-shaped organ is located in the lower pelvic cavity between the urinary bladder and rectum. The uterus receives the fertilized ovum and it becomes implanted in the uterine wall, which provides nourishment and protection for the developing fetus. The uterus is divided into three regions: fundus, corpus, and cervix. |
| vagina | Organ in the female reproductive system that receives the penis and semen. |
| vulva | A general term meaning the external female genitalia. It consists of the Bartholin's glands, labia major, labia minora, and clitoris. |
| estrogen | One of the hormones produced by the ovaries. It works with progesterone to control the menstrual cycle and it is responsible for producing the secondary sexual characteristics. |
| follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) | A hormone secreted by anterior pituitary gland. It stimulates growth of eggs in females and sperm in males. |
| luteinizing hormone (LH) | A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary. It regulates function of male and female gonads and plays a role in releasing ova in females. |
| ovulation | The release of an ovum from the ovary. |
| progesterone | One of the hormones produced by the ovaries. It works with estrogen to control the menstrual cycle. |
| conception | Fertilization of an ovum by a sperm. |
| fimbriae | The fingerlike extensions on the end of the fallopian tubes. The fimbriae drape over each ovary in order to direct the ovum into the fallopian tube after it is expelled by the ovary. |
| oviducts | Tubes that carry the ovum from the ovary to the uterus; also called fallopian tubes or uterine tubes. |
| uterine tubes | Tubes that carry the ovum from the ovary to the uterus; also called fallopian tubes or oviducts. |
| anteflexion | While the uterus is normally in this position, an exaggeration of the forward bend of the uterus is abnormal. The forward bend is near the neck of the uterus. The position of cervix, or opening of the uterus, remains normal. |
| cervix | The narrow, distal portion of the uterus that joins to the vagina. |
| corpus | The body or central portion of the uterus. |
| endometrium | The inner lining of the uterus. It contains a rich blood supply and reacts to hormonal changes every month, which results in menstruation. During a pregnancy, the lining of the uterus does not leave the body but remains to nourish the unborn child. |
| fundus | The domed upper portion of an organ such as the stomach or uterus. |
| menarche | The first menstrual period. |
| menopause | Cessation or ending of menstrual activity. This is generally between the ages of 40 and 55. |
| menstrual period | Another name for the menstrual cycle. |
| menstruation | The loss of blood and tissue as the endometrium in shed by the uterus. The flow exits the body through the cervix and vagina. The flow occurs approximately every 28 days. |
| myometrium | The middle muscle layer of the uterus. |
| perimetrium | The outer layer of the uterus. |
| Bartholin's glands | Glands located on either side of the vaginal opening that secrete mucus for vaginal lubrication. |
| hymen | A thin membranous tissue that covers the external vaginal opening or orifice. The membrane is broken during the first sexual encounter of the female. It can also be broken prematurely by the use of tampons or during some sports activities. |
| vaginal orifice | The external vaginal opening. It may be covered by a hymen. |
| clitoris | A small organ containing erectile tissue that is covered by the labia minora. It contains sensitive tissue that is aroused during sexual stimulation and is similar to the penis in the male. |
| erectile tissue | Tissue with numerous blood vessels and nerve endings. It becomes filled with blood and enlarges in size in response to sexual stimulation. |
| labia majora | A fold of skin that serves as protection for the female external genitalia and urethral meatus. |
| labia minora | A fold of skin that serves as protection for the female external genitalia and urethral meatus. |
| perineum | In the male, the external region between the scrotum and anus. In the female, the external region between the vagina and anus. |
| urinary meatus | The external opening of the urethra. |
| areola | The pigmented area round the nipple of the breast. |
| lactation | The function of secreting milk after childbirth from the breasts or mammary glands. |
| lactiferous ducts | Carries milk from the mild-producing glands to the nipple. |
| lactiferous glands | Milk-producing glands in the breast. |
| mammary glands | The breasts; milk-producing glands to provide nutrition for newborn. |
| nipple | Point at which milk is released from the breast. |
| nurse | To breastfeed a baby. |
| amnion | The inner of two membranous sacs surrounding the fetus. The amniotic sac contains amniotic fluid in which the baby floats. |
| amniotic fluid | The fluid inside the amniotic sac. |
| chorion | The outer of two membranous sacs surrounding the fetus. It helps to form the placenta. |
| embryo | The term to describe the developing infant from fertilization until the end of the eighth week. |
| fetus | The term to describe the developing newborn from the end of the eighth week until birth. |
| gestation | Length of time from conception to birth, generally nine months. Calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period, with a range of from 259 days to 280 days. |
| placenta | Also called afterbirth. An organ attached to the uterine wall that is composed of maternal and fetal tissues. Oxygen, nutrients, carbon dioxide, and wastes are exchanged between the mother and baby through the placenta. The baby is attached to the placenta by way of the umbilical cord. |
| premature | Early. |
| umbilical cord | A cord extending from the baby's umbilicus (navel) to the placenta: It contains blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the baby and carbon dioxide and wastes from the baby to the mother. |
| breech presentation | Placement of the fetus in which the buttocks or feet are presented first for delivery rather than the head. |
| crowning | When the head of the baby is visible through the vaginal opening. A sign that birth is imminent. |
| delivery | The emergence of the baby from the birth canal. |
| dilation stage | The first stage of labor. It begins with uterine contractions that press the fetus against the cervix causing it to dilate to 10 cm and become thin. The thinning of the cervix is called effacement. |
| effacement | The thinning of the cervix during labor. |
| expulsion stage | Stage of labor and delivery during which the baby is delivered. |
| labor | The period of time beginning with uterine contractions and ending with the birth of the baby. There are three stages: the dilation stage, the expulsion stage, and the placental stage. |
| placental stage | The third stage of labor, which takes place after delivery of the infant. The uterus resumes strong contractions and the placenta detaches from the uterine wall and is delivered through the vagina. |
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