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Medical Dictionary - Reproductive
Term
Definition
Pronunciation
abortifacient
An agent, usually a medication, that causes abortion.
acrosome
The cap-like structure covering the anterior portion of spermatozoon. It contains enzymes necessary for sperm penetration of the egg.
adrenarche
A development stage when the adrenal glands mature, leading to the increased production of adrenal androgens, dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione. Adrenarche usually begins at about 7 or 8 years of age before the signs of puberty and continues throughout puberty.
AFP
alpha-fetoprotein
afterbirth
The placenta, umbilical cord and membranes that are expelled from the uterus after birth
amenorrhea
Absence of menstruation.
a-men″o-re´ah
amni/o
amnion, sac around embryo
amniocentesis
Diagnostic test for chromosomal abnormalities and fetal infections. A small amount of fluid is removed from the amniotic sac.
am″ne-o-sen-te´sis
amniotic fluid
A clear, yellowish liquid that surrounds the fetus, protecting it from injury.
andr/o
male
androgen
Steroid hormones that stimulate development of male reproductive organs, beard growth, voice changes and muscles.
andropause
Male menopause.
an´dro-pawz
androsterone
A metabolite of testosterone or androstenedione.
anovulation
Suspension or cessation of ovulation by the ovaries.
antepartal care
Health care provided during pregnancy.
Apgar score
Newborn health assessment score (0-10).
Two points each: Appearance of skin color, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration.
aphrodisiac
An agent that stimulates sexual desire.
aplasia
Defective development of an organ or tissue.
areola
A ring of pigmented skin surrounding a nipple.
ah-re´o-lah
ASC-US
atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
aspermia
A condition characterized by the complete absence of semen.
ateliosis
A form of dwarfism.
azoospermia
A complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate.
a-zo″o-sper´me-ah
balan/o
glans penis
balanitis
Inflammation of the glans penis.
balanoposthitis
Inflammation of the glans penis in uncircumcised males.
bisexuality
An individual who is sexually attracted to both sexes.
BPH
benign prostatic hyperplasia
breast
A mammary gland of women.
breastfeeding
Feeding a baby milk from the breast.
BSE
breast self-examination
castration
Removal of the sex glands.
caul
Amniotic sac that encloses the fetus.
-cele
swelling, hernia
cervical dysplasia
The abnormal growth of precancerous cells on the surface of the cervix.
dis-pla´zhah
cervicitis
An inflammation of the cervix
ser″vĭ-si´tis
cervix uteri
The neck portion of the uterus between the lower isthmus and the vagina forming the cervical canal.
cesarean section
A surgical incision through the abdominal wall and uterus, performed to deliver a fetus.
chlamydia
A common sexually transmitted disease.
klah-mid´e-ah
chordoma
A rare, malignant tumor that develops from the embryonic remains of the notochord.
chori/o
chorion (outer fetal sac)
chorion
The embryonic membrane surrounding the developing embryo. The chorion evolves into the fetal contribution of the placenta.
chorionic villus sampling
A prenatal diagnostic test to detect chromosomal problems
kor″e-on´ik
circumcision
Surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis.
clitoris
An erectile structure homologous with the penis, situated beneath the anterior labial commissure, partially hidden between the anterior ends of the labia minora.
coitus
Sexual intercourse.
colostrum
Milk produced in late pregnancy. High in protein and antibody content.
ko-los´trum
colp/o
vagina
colposcopy
The examination of the cervix and vagina by means of an endoscope introduced vaginally.
colpotomy
An incision in the vagina.
conception
When a spermatozoon enters an ovum. The beginning of pregnancy.
condom
A sheath that is worn over the penis during sex in order to prevent pregnancy or the spread of sexually transmitted disease.
consanguinity
Kinship. The hereditary relationship between persons.
contraception
Prevention of impregnation.
contraction
A shortening or increase in tension. In labor, the rhythmic tightening of the uterus.
copulation
Sexual union.
culd/o
cul-de-sac
-cyesis
pregnancy
D&C
dilatation and curettage
decidua
The membrane lining the wall of the uterus during pregnancy.
DUB
dysfunctional uterine bleeding
dysmenorrhea
Painful cramps that can occur immediately before or during the menstrual period.
dis″men-ŏ-re´ah
dystocia
Difficult childbirth.
eclampsia
A toxic disorder characterized by convulsions and possibly coma during or immediately after pregnancy
ectopic pregnancy
When a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus.
ek-top´ik
ED (2)
erectile dysfunction
EDD
estimated date of delivery
egg
A female reproductive cell prior to fertilization.
ejaculation
The sudden emission of semen from the male urethra.
embryo
Any organism in the earliest stages of development.
embryo-
related to embryo
embryology
The study of the development of an organism during the embryonic and fetal stages of life.
endocervicitis
Inflammation of the mucous lining of the uterine cervix.
en″do-ser″vĭ-si´tis
endoderm
The inner of the three germ layers of an embryo.
endometri/o
endometrium (mucous membrane lining the uterus)
endometriosis
A painful, chronic disease where the tissue that normally grows inside the uterus grows outside it. May spread anywhere in the abdominal cavity.
en″do-me″tre-o´sis
epididym/o
epididymis (structure within the scrotum that stores sperm)
epididymis
The convoluted cordlike structure attached to the posterior of the testis.
epididymitis
Inflammation of the epididymis.
ep″ĭ-did″ĭ-mi´tis
episi/o
vulva
episiotomy
An incision made in the perineum to widens the opening of the vagina during childbirth.
ĕ-piz″e-ot´ah-me
erectile dysfunction
The consistent inability in the male to sustain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. Impotence.
fallopian tubes
A pair of highly specialized muscular canals that conduct the ovum from the ovary to the uterus.
fet/o
fetus
fetal
Of, pertaining to, or having the character of a fetus.
fetus
The embryo of a mammal in the later stages of development
FHR
fetal heart rate
fibroadenoma
Benign tumors composed of stromal and epithelial tissue.
fi″bro-ad″ĕ-no´mah
fibrocystic breast disease
A painful, lumpy breast disease.
fi″bro-sis´tik
FTND
full term normal delivery
FTT
failure to thrive
galact/o
milk
galactorrhea
Inappropriate lactation.
gah-lak″to-re´ah
galactose
One of the two simple sugars in the protein, lactose, found in milk. The other sugar is glucose.
gamete
A mature sex cell.
GC
gonorrhea
GDM
gestational diabetes mellitus
gene
A unit of inheritance carrying a single trait occupying a certain location on a chromosome.
genetic
Pertaining to reproduction or to birth or origin.
genit/o
reproduction
genitalia
The male and female reproductive organs.
jen″ĭ-tāl´e-ah
gest/o
to bear
gestation
The time period of development from fertilization to birth.
gon-
seed, genital
gonad/o
sex glands
gonadal
Pertaining to or arising from a gonad.
gonads
The sex glands, ovary or testis.
gonorrhea
A sexually transmitted bacterial disease, mostly seen in young adults.
gon″o-re´ah
grav
gravida
gravid/o
pregnancy
-gravida
pregnant
gravidity
Pregnant.
GYN
gynecology
gynec/o
woman, female
gynecology
The branch of medicine dealing with diseases unique to women, especially those of the genital tract and breasts.
gyno-
woman
hematocolpos
An accumulation of menstrual blood in the vagina.
hematometra
An accumulation of menstrual blood in the uterus.
hematospermia
Blood in the semen.
he·ma·to-sper´me-ah
hemospermia
Blood in the semen, often due to inflammation of the prostate or the seminal vesicles.
heredity
The transmission of traits encoded in genes from parent to offspring.
heterosexuality
The sexual attraction between members of the opposite sex.
heterosis
Greater vigor of the first generation hybrid than is shown by either parent.
HGSIL
high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
homosexuality
The sexual attraction or relationship between members of the same sex.
HRT
hormone replacement therapy
HSIL
high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion
HSV
herpes simplex virus
hydrocele
Buildup of the normal fluid around the testicle, common in infants, self-resolving.
hi´dro-sēl
hymen
A thin fold of mucous membrane situated at the orifice of the vagina.
hymen/o
membrane
hypogonadism
Abnormally low functional activity of the gonads, with diminished growth and sexual development
hypomenorrhea
Extremely light menstrual blood flow.
hy·po-men″o-re´ah
hyster/o
uterus
hysterectomy
Surgical removal of the uterus.
his″tĕ-rek´to-me
hysterosalpingography
Fluoroscopic examination of the uterus and fallopian tubes.
hys-tero-sal″ping-gog´rah-fe
hysteroscopy
Examination of the uterine cavity using an endoscope.
his′təros′kepē
hysterotomy
An incision in the uterus, performed through either the abdomen or the vagina.
IDM
infants of diabetic mothers
impotence
The inability to sustain a penile erection to allow normal vaginal intercourse.
in vitro
In a glass. In an artificial environment outside a living organism
induction
Causing to occur.
infertility
Inability to conceive and produce viable offspring.
inguinal canal
A tunnel in the abdominal wall through which a testis descends into the scrotum.
insemination
The deposit of seminal fluid within the vagina.
intrauterine
Within the uterine cavity.
IUCD
intrauterine contraceptive device
IUD
intrauterine device
IUFD
intrauterine fetal distress
IUP
intrauterine pregnancy
IVF
in vitro fertilization
L&D
labor and delivery
labor
The childbirth process of expulsion of the fetus and placenta from the uterus.
lact/o
milk
lactation
Production of milk by the mammary glands.
lacti-
milk
LBW
low birth weight
lecith/o
yolk, ovum
leiomyoma
A benign neoplasm derived from smooth muscle tissue, also known as a fibroid tumor. They usually occur in the uterus.
leukorrhea
Normal vaginal discharge during pregnancy . It is thin, white, milky and mild smelling.
loo″ko-re´ah
libido
Sexual desire.
-lipsis
omit, fail
lmp
last menstrual period
lochia
A vaginal discharge occurring during the first week or two after childbirth.
mamm-
breast
mamm/o
breast
mammary gland
Milk producing gland.
mammoplasty
Plastic surgery of the breasts.
mast/o
breast
mastalgia
Breast pain.
mas-tal´jah
mastopexy
Breast lift surgery.
mas´to-pek″se
men/o
menstruation, menses
menarche
The first menstrual period.
mĕ-nahr´ke
menopause
The permanent cessation of menstruation.
menorrhagia
Excessive uterine bleeding during menstruation.
menses
Blood and tissue discharged from the uterus periodically.
menstrual cycle
The period from onset of one menstrual bleeding to the next in an ovulating female. The menstrual cycle is regulated by endocrine interactions of the hypothalamus; the pituitary gland; the ovaries; and the genital tract.
menstruation
The (approximately) monthly discharge of blood and cellular debris from the uterus by nonpregnant women, occurring from puberty to menopause.
metr/o
uterus (womb)
metritis
Inflammation of the uterus.
metrorrhagia
Abnormal uterine bleeding that is not related to menstruation.
midwifery
The practice of assisting women in childbirth.
miscarriage
Common term for the loss of an embryo or fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy.. This term is longer accepted in clinical usage.
monorchism
Absence of one testis.
morula
An early embryo that is a compact mass.
myometrium
The smooth muscle coat of the uterus, which forms the main mass of the organ.
nat/o
birth
natal
Relating to birth.
na´tal
neonatal
Pertaining to a new baby, for the first 28 days after birth.
neonate
An infant less than one month old.
nē′ə-nāt′
nulligravida
A woman who has never been pregnant.
nullipara
A woman who has never borne a child.
nŭ-lip´ah-rah
OB
obstetrics
OB/GYN
obstetrics & gynecology
obstetr/o
midwife
obstetrics
The branch of medicine concerned with the care of women during pregnancy, parturition, and the puerperium.
OC
oral contraceptive
oligohydramnios
A condition of abnormally low amniotic fluid volume.
oligomenorrhea
Light or infrequent menstrual periods.
ol″ĭ-go-men″o-re´ah
oligospermia
A deficiency of spermatozoa in the semen, defined as a sperm count below 20 million per milliliter semen.
omphal/o
umbilicus (navel)
ontogeny
The developmental history of an individual from inception to maturity.
oophor/o
ovary
oophorectomy
Surgical removal of an ovary or ovaries.
o″of-o-rek´to-me
oophoritis
Inflammation of the ovary.
orchid/o
testicles
orchidalgia
Pain in the testicle.
orchidectomy
Surgical removal of one or both testicles.
or″ke-ek´to-me
orchiectomy
The surgical removal of one or both testicles.
orchiopexy
Surgery to move an undescended testicle into the scrotum.
or´ke-o-pek″se
orchitis
Inflammation of a testis.
orgasm
The climax of sexual excitement.
osche/o
scrotum
ov/o
egg, ovum
ovari/o
ovary
ovarian
Pertaining to the ovary.
ovarian cysts
General term for cysts and cystic diseases of the ovary.
ovarian neoplasms
Tumors or cancer of the ovary. These neoplasms can be benign or malignant.
ovary
Either of the sex glands in females. They produce ova and hormones.
ovulation
The discharge of an ovum from a rupturing follicle in the ovary.
ovum
A mature haploid female germ cell extruded from the ovary at ovulation.
Pap
Pap test Papanicolaou smear
-para
to bear offspring
paraphimosis
A condition in which the foreskin, once retracted, cannot return to its original position. If this condition persists, it can lead to painful constriction of glans penis, swelling, and impaired blood flow to the penis.
parity
The number of viable offspring a female has borne.
-partum
childbirth
parturition
The act of giving birth to one or more offspring.
penis
The external reproductive organ of males.
perimenopause
The period of time before menopause when a woman's body changes.
per″e-men´o-pawz
perimetritis
Inflammation of the peritoneal covering of the uterus
perinatal
Pertaining to the period three months before to one month after birth.
perine/o
perineum (surface region in both males and females between the pubic symphysis and the coccyx)
peripartum period
The period shortly before, during, and immediately after giving birth.
Peyronie disease
A condition where plaques form under the skin of the penis, causing the penis to bend.
pā-rō-nē'
phall/o
penis
phimosis
A condition of a narrowed or tightened foreskin that cannot be retracted to reveal the glans penis.
PID
pelvic inflammatory disease
PIH
pregnancy-induced hypertension
placenta
A vascular organ that develops during pregnancy, lining the uterine wall and partially enveloping the fetus. The placenta produces an array of steroid, protein and peptide hormones .
placenta previa
A condition when the placenta covers part or all of the cervix during the last months of pregnancy.
plah-sen´tah prē′vē·ə
PMS
premenstrual syndrome
polycystic ovary syndrome
A condition in which a woman’s levels of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone are out of balance. Often cause for infertility
pol″e-sis´tik
posset
A small amount of milk that is regurgitated by infants after feeding.
postmenopause
The physiological period following the menopause.
postpartum
The period that is shortly after giving birth.
preeclampsia
A serious pregnancy disorder characterized by high blood pressure, a large amount of protein in the urine and edema of hands and feet.
pre″ĕ-klamp´se-ah
pregnancy
Carrying developing offspring (embryos or fetuses) in utero before birth.
premature ejaculation
The emission of semen and seminal fluid during the act of preparation for sexual intercourse, i.e. before there is penetration, or shortly after penetration.
premenopause
The period before menopause. The transition from full sexual maturity to cessation of ovarian cycle takes place between the age of late thirty and early fifty.
prepuce
The fold of skin that grows over the end of the penis.
priapism
A abnormally prolonged erection of the penis.
pri´ah-pizm
primigravida
A woman who is pregnant for the first time.
pri″mĭ-grav´ĭ-dah
primipara
A woman who has given birth to one viable infant.
prolactin
A pituitary hormone that stimulates and maintains lactation in postpartum mammals.
prostat/o
prostate
prostate
A gland that is part of a male reproductive system. Located below the bladder.
pros´tāt
pruritus vulvae
Itching of the vulva.
proo-ri´tus vŭl'vē
puerperal
The period up until six to eight weeks after childbirth.
pyometra
Accumulation of pus in the uterine cavity.
quickening
Movements of the fetus felt by the mother, usually after the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
salping/o
fallopian tube
salpingitis
Inflammation of the fallopian or eustachian tube.
salpingostomy
Formation of an artificial opening in a fallopian tube.
scrot/o
scrotum
scrotum
A pouch of skin containing the testicles and spermatic cords.
semen
The thick, yellowish-white, viscid fluid secretion of male reproductive organs discharged upon ejaculation. It contains spermatozoa and their nutrient plasma and secretions from the prostate and bulbourethral glands.
semin/i
semen
seminoma
A malignant neoplasm of the testis.
sex
The totality of characteristics of reproductive structure, functions, phenotype, and genotype, differentiating the male from the female organism.
sexuality
The sexual functions, activities, attitudes, and orientations of an individual. Sexuality, male or female, becomes evident at puberty under the influence of gonadal steroids (testosterone or estradiol) and social effects.
SGA
small for gestational age
shaken baby syndrome
Brain injuries resulted from vigorous shaking of an infant or young child held by the chest, shoulders, or extremities causing extreme cranial acceleration. It is characterized by the intracranial and intraocular hemorrhages with no evident external trauma. Serious cases may result in death.
sperm
The male gamete or sex cell that contains the genetic information to be transmitted by the male. Also called spermatozoon.
sperm/o
sperm cells
sperma-
sperm, seed
spermatids
Immature sperm cells developed in the testicle.
spermatozoa
Mature male germ cells derived from spermatids.
STD
sexually transmitted disease
sterile
Unable to produce offspring.
syphilis
A sexually transmitted disease. A bacterial infection.
sif´ĭ-lis
TAH
total abdominal hysterectomy
teratology
A branch of embryology for the study of congenital malformations and developmental abnormalities.
term birth
childbirth at the end of a normal duration of pregnancy, between 37 to 40 weeks of gestation.
test/i
testicle
testicle
The testis and its ducts.
testis
Either of the two male gonads located in the cavity of the scrotum.
TFS
testicular feminization syndrome
thecoma
A neoplasm derived from ovarian mesenchyme.
thel/e
nipple
thelarche
The beginning of breast development at puberty.
thelo-
nipple
toc/o
labor, birth
-tocia
condition of birth, labor
trichomoniasis
A sexually transmitted disease caused by a single-celled protozoan parasite.
trik″o-mo-ni´ah-sis
trimester
Any of the three successive three month periods of pregnancy.
triplet
One of three offspring born at one birth.
TUR
transurethral resection
twins
Two individuals derived from two fetuses that were fertilized at or about the same time, developed in the uterus simultaneously, and born to the same mother. Twins are either monozygotic or dizygotic.
umbilic-
umbilicus (navel)
umbilical
Pertaining to the opening in the abdominal wall where the blood vessels from the placenta enter.
umbilical cord
The flexible rope-like structure that connects a developing fetus to the placenta. The cord contains blood vessels which carry oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the fetus and waste products away from the fetus.
umbilicus
The depression in the center of the abdominal wall where the umbilical cord entered in the fetus. Also called the navel.
uter/o
uterus
uterine
Pertaining to the uterus.
uterine prolapse
A condition where the uterus drops down into the vagina.
u´ter-in
uterus
The womb. A female reproductive organ located between the bladder and the rectum.
u´ter-us
vagin/o
vagina
vagina
An muscular tube connecting the cervix of the uterus to the vulva and exterior of the body.
vah-ji´nah
vaginal
Pertaining to the vagina.
vaginitis
Inflammation of the vagina marked by pain and a purulent discharge.
varic/o
varices (swollen veins)
varicocele
Abnormal enlargement of the veins of the spermatic cord.
var´ĭ-ko-sēl″
vasectomy
Surgical removal of the ductus deferens usually as a means of sterilization.
vasovasostomy
A surgical procedure in which the effects of a vasectomy (male sterilization) are reversed.
vas″o-vah-sos´tah-me
VD
venereal disease
venere/o
sexual intercourse
vitelline
Pertaining to the vitellus.
vitellus
Yolk of an egg.
vulv/o
vulva
vulva
The external genitalia of the female. It includes the clitoris, the labia, the vestibule and its glands.
vulvitis
Inflammation of the vulva.
WD
well-developed
zygote
The fertilized ovum resulting from the fusion of a male and a female gamete.