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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.