1. Medical Terminology: Get Connected!
Second Edition Suzanne S. Frucht
Chapter 13
Obstetrics and Gynecology:
Female Reproductive System

2. Learning Objectives
13.1 DESCRIBE the medical specialties of obstetrics and gynecology.
13.2 UNDERSTAND the function of the female reproductive system.
13.3 DEFINE obstetrics- and gynecology-related combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes.

3. Learning Objectives
13.4 IDENTIFY the organs treated in obstetrics and gynecology.
13.5 BUILD obstetrics and gynecology medical terms from word parts.
13.6 EXPLAIN obstetrics and gynecology medical terms.
13.7 USE obstetrics and gynecology abbreviations.

4. Obstetrics and Gynecology
Female reproductive system is vital to continuation of human race
Ovaries produce egg cells called ova
Fertilization occurs in the fallopian tubes
Embryo develops in the uterus
During birth, baby passes through vagina
Breasts secrete milk to nourish newborn

5. Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ovaries also secrete female sex hormones
Estrogen
Progesterone
Work together to regulate reproductive cycle

6. Gynecology Branch of medicine that:
Diagnoses and treats conditions of female reproductive organs
Provides general medical care for women

7. Obstetrics
Branch of medicine that specializes in
Pregnancy
Childbirth

8. Obstetrics and Gynecology Combining Forms
amni/o amnion
cervic/o neck, cervix
chori/o chorion
colp/o vagina
embry/o embryo
episi/o vulva
fet/o fetus
gynec/o woman, female
hyster/o uterus
lapar/o abdomen
mamm/o breast
mast/o breast

9. Obstetrics and Gynecology Combining Forms
men/o menses, menstruation
metr/o uterus
nat/o birth
o/o egg
oophor/o ovary
ovari/o ovary
salping/o uterine (fallopian) tube
uter/o uterus
vagin/o vagina

10. Additional Combining Forms
carcin/o cancer
cyst/o urinary bladder, sac
fibr/o fibrous
hem/o blood
olig/o scanty
pelv/o pelvis
rect/o rectum

11. Suffix Review -al pertaining to -algia pain -an pertaining to
-ary pertaining to
-cele protrusion
-centesis puncture to withdraw fluid
-cyesis pregnancy
-cyte cell
-ectomy surgical removal
-genesis produces, generates
-genic producing
-gram record
-graphy process of recording
-gravida pregnancy

12. Suffix Review -ic pertaining to -ine pertaining to -itis inflammation
-logist one who studies
-logy study of
-lytic destruction
-metry process of measuring
-nic pertaining to
-oid resembling
-oma tumor, mass
-osis abnormal condition
-otomy cutting into
-para to bear (offspring)

13. Suffix Review -partum childbirth -pexy surgical fixation
-plasty surgical repair
-rrhagia bursting forth
-rrhaphy suture
-rrhea flow, discharge
-rrhexis rupture
-scope instrument for viewing
-scopy process of viewing
-tic pertaining to

14. Prefix Review a- without ante- before
dys- painful, difficult, abnormal
endo- within, inner
intra- inside
nulli- none
multi- many
neo- new
post- after
pre- before
primi- first
trans- across

15. Figure 13.1 Female reproductive system, anterior view.

16. Figure 13.2 Full-term pregnancy, fetal structures, lateral view.

17. Building Obstetrics and Gynecology Terms
For each obstetrics and gynecology term introduced on the next few slides, write the completed term in your textbook (pg 250).

18. Amni/o Combining form meaning amnion Inner sac surrounding fetus
Contains amniotic fluid in which fetus floats

19. Amni/o Build a medical term meaning:
flow of amniotic (fluid) amniorrhea
rupture of the amnion amniorrhexis
amni/o + -rrhexis

20. Cervic/o Combining form meaning cervix Narrow, lower portion of uterus
Opens into vagina
Also called neck of the uterus

21. Cervic/o Build a medical term meaning:
pertaining to the cervix cervical
inflammation within the cervix endocervicitis

22. Chori/o Combining form meaning chorion
Outer sac surrounding and protecting fetus
Forms part of placenta

23. Chori/o Build a medical term meaning: chori/o + carcin + -oma
cancerous tumor of the chorion
choriocarcinoma
chori/o + carcin + -oma

24. Colp/o Combining form meaning vagina
Muscular tube extending from cervix to outside of body
Receives penis and semen during intercourse
Also called the birth canal

25. Figure Vagina.

26. Figure Vagina.

27. Colp/o Build a medical term meaning: colp + -ectomy
instrument to visually examine the vagina
colposcope
surgical removal of the vagina
colpectomy
colp + -ectomy

28. Embry/o Combining form meaning embryo Early stage of human development
From time of fertilization
Until approximately end of second month of pregnancy

29. Embry/o Build a medical term meaning: producing an embryo embryogenic
study of the embryo
embryology
embry/o + -logy

30. Episi/o Combining form meaning vulva
General term for all female external genitalia including:
Labia majora
Labia minora
Clitoris

31. Episi/o Build a medical term meaning: surgical repair of the vulva
episioplasty

32. Fet/o Combining form meaning fetus Later stage of human development
From approximately beginning of third month to birth

33. Figure 13.4 Photograph showing fetus in the uterus.

34. Fet/o Build a medical term meaning: fet/o + -scope
pertaining to the fetus fetal
instrument for visually examining the fetus fetoscope
fet/o + -scope

35. -gravida Suffix meaning pregnancy
Gestation is length of time of a pregnancy
Normal gestation for humans is 40 weeks

36. -gravida Build a medical term meaning: multi- + -gravida
no pregnancies
nulligravida
first pregnancy
primigravida
many pregnancies
multigravida
multi- + -gravida

37. Gynec/o Combining form meaning female Build a medical term meaning:
one who studies the female gynecologist

38. Hyster/o Combining form meaning uterus
Hollow, pear-shaped organ in lower pelvic cavity
Between urinary bladder and rectum
Fundus is upper portion between where fallopian tubes enter
Body of uterus is largest central region

39. Hyster/o Hollow, pear-shaped organ in lower pelvic cavity
Cervix is narrow lowest region that opens into vagina
Endometrium is inner lining which thickens during the month and is sloughed off during menstrual period
Myometrium is thick muscular wall which contracts to push fetus through birth canal

40. Figure Uterus.

41. Hyster/o Build a medical term meaning: hyster/o + -graphy
surgical fixation of the uterus
hysteropexy
ruptured uterus hysterorrhexis
process of recording the uterus
hysterography
hyster/o + -graphy

42. Lapar/o Combining form meaning abdomen Build a medical term meaning:
cutting into the abdomen
laparotomy

43. Mamm/o Combining form meaning breast
Collection of glands to produce milk to nourish infant
Build a medical term meaning:
pertaining to the breast mammary
surgical repair of the breast
mammoplasty

44. Figure Breast.

45. Mast/o Another combining form meaning breast
Build a medical term meaning:
breast pain mastalgia
mast + -algia

46. Men/o Combining form meaning menstruation
Period of time during the monthly period when endometrial lining of uterus is shed
Appears as bloody flow through cervix and vagina

47. Men/o Build a medical term meaning: olig/o + men/o + -rrhea
without menstrual flow
amenorrhea
scanty menstrual flow oligomenorrhea
olig/o + men/o + -rrhea

48. Metr/o Another combining form meaning uterus
Build a medical term meaning:
inner uterus inflammation
endometritis
flow from uterus
metrorrhea

49. Nat/o Combining form meaning birth Build a medical term meaning:
pertaining to a newborn neonatal
who studies the newborn neonatologist
neo- + nat/o + -logist

50. O/o Combining form meaning egg Refers to ovum
Cell that carries mother's half of chromosomes
Combines with sperm to form new human

51. O/o Build a medical term meaning: o/o + -genesis egg cell oocyte
produces an egg oogenesis
o/o + -genesis

52. Oophor/o Combining form meaning ovary
Almond-shaped pair of organs located on each side of uterus
Connected to uterus by fallopian (or uterine) tube
Produce ova
Release of ovum from ovary is called ovulation

53. Figure Ovary.

54. Oophor/o Secrete female hormones, estrogen and progesterone
Build a medical term meaning:
surgical fixation of the ovary
oophoropexy
oophor/o + -pexy

55. Ovari/o Another combining form meaning ovary
Build a medical term meaning:
pertaining to the ovary ovarian
ovary and fallopian tube inflammation ovariosalpingitis

56. -para Suffix meaning to bear (offspring)
Refers to the number of times a pregnancy has successfully ended with birth of infant
Build a medical term meaning:
no births nullipara
many births multipara

57. -partum Suffix meaning childbirth Build a medical term meaning:
before childbirth
antepartum
after childbirth
postpartum
post- + -partum

58. Salping/o Combining form meaning fallopian tube
Narrow tube that runs from area around each ovary to upper uterus
Ovum travels from ovary to uterus through fallopian tube
Normal location for fertilization
Also called uterine tube

59. Figure Uterine Tube.

60. Salping/o Build a medical term meaning: record of the fallopian tube
salpingogram
pregnancy in the fallopian tube
salpingocyesis
salping/o + -cyesis

61. Uter/o Another combining form meaning uterus
Build a medical term meaning:
pertaining to the uterus uterine
pertaining to inside the uterus
intrauterine
intra- + uter + -ine

62. Vagin/o Another combining form meaning vagina
Build a medical term meaning:
pertaining to across the vagina
transvaginal

63. Obstetrical and Gynecological Vocabulary
Term
Explanation
abortion (AB)
Discharge of embryo from uterus before about 20th week of gestation; spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) is unplanned and due to death of embryo; elective abortion is legal termination of pregnancy; therapeutic abortion is necessary for mother’s health
abruptio placentae
Emergency condition occurring when placenta tears away from uterine wall prior to birth of fetus; requires immediate delivery of baby
atresia
Lack of normal body opening; for example, hysteratresia is closing of cervix, usually from scarring

64. Figure 13.10 Illustration showing the premature separation of the placenta in abruptio placentae.

65. Obstetrical and Gynecological Vocabulary
Term
Explanation
breast cancer
Malignant tumor of breast; usually forms in milk glands or lining of milk ducts
cervical cancer
Malignant tumor of cervix; some cases caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), sexually transmitted virus for which there is now vaccine; regular Pap smear used for early detection
cesarean section (CS, C-section)
Surgical delivery of baby through incision into abdominal and uterine walls; named for Roman emperor, Julius Caesar, who is said to have been the first person born by this method

66. Figure 13.11 Breast with a malignant tumor growing in the milk gland and duct.

67. Figure 13.12 The head of a fetus emerges from the uterus during a cesarean section.

68. Obstetrical and Gynecological Vocabulary
Term
Explanation
chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
Removal of small piece of chorion for genetic analysis; may be done at earlier stage of pregnancy than amniocentesis
conization
Surgical removal of a core of cervical tissue for biopsy
cystocele
Hernia or outpouching of bladder protrudes into vagina; can cause urinary frequency and urgency and block vagina

69. Obstetrical and Gynecological Vocabulary
Term
Explanation
dilation and curettage (D&C)
Surgical procedure consisting of widening cervix and scraping or suctioning out endometrial lining of uterus; often performed after spontaneous abortion or to stop excessive bleeding from other causes
ectopic pregnancy
Pregnancy occurring outside of uterus, usually in uterine tubes; growing fetus will rupture uterine tube requiring a salpingectomy; also called salpingocyesis
endometriosis
Condition when endometrial tissue appears throughout pelvic or abdominal cavity; causes recurring pain and scarring

70. Figure 13.13 Illustration of common sites for ectopic pregnancy.

71. Obstetrical and Gynecological Vocabulary
Term
Explanation
endometrial cancer
Cancerous tumor forms in lining of uterus
fetal monitoring
Use of electronic equipment placed on mother’s abdomen or fetus’ scalp to check fetal heart rate (FHR) and fetal heart tone (FHT) during labor; normal FHR ranges from 120 to 160 beats per minute; drop in fetal heart rate indicates fetal distress
fibrocystic breast disease
Benign cysts in breast tissue; not precancerous

72. Figure Illustration showing the stages of endometrial cancer: (A) Stage I–localized tumor forms in endometrial tissue; (B) Stage II–tumor grows larger within the uterus;(C) Stage III–tumor spreads to nearby organs; (D) Stage IV–cancerous tumors appear throughout the body.

73. Figure Illustration showing the location of a fibrocystic lump in the adipose tissue of the breast.

74. Obstetrical and Gynecological Vocabulary
Term
Explanation
fibroid tumor
Benign tumor of fiber-like tissue; the most common type of tumor in women; grows in the uterus
fistula
Abnormal passageway between two structures; vesicovaginal fistula is between urinary bladder and vagina; rectovaginal fistula is between rectum and vagina

75. Figure 13.16 Common sites for the development of fibroid tumors.

76. Obstetrical and Gynecological Vocabulary
Term
Explanation
hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN)
Condition developing in fetus when mother’s blood type is Rh-negative and baby’s blood is Rh-positive; antibodies in mother’s blood enter fetus’ bloodstream through placenta and destroy fetus’ red blood cells; causes anemia, jaundice,
and enlargement of spleen; treated with intrauterine blood transfusion; also called
erythroblastosis fetalis

77. Obstetrical and Gynecological Vocabulary
Term
Explanation
in vitro fertilization (IVF)
Infertility treatment; ova removed from woman are fertilized by sperm externally; embryos returned to uterus for development; commonly called test tube baby
infertility
Inability to produce children; generally defined as no pregnancy after properly timed intercourse for one year
ovarian cancer
Cancerous tumor formed within ovary
Papanicolaou (Pap) smear
Test for early detection of cervical cancer; named after developer George Papanicolaou, a Greek physician; cells are removed from cervix by simple scraping and examined under microscope

78. Obstetrical and Gynecological Vocabulary
Term
Explanation
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Chronic or acute infection, usually bacterial, that ascends through female reproductive tract and out into pelvic cavity; can result in scarring that interferes with fertility
placenta previa
Placenta forms in lower portion of uterus and blocks birth canal; may require C-section for delivery
premature birth
Birth of fetus before 37 weeks of gestation

79. Figure Illustration of placenta previa showing the placenta growing over the opening of the cervix.

80. Figure 13.18 A premature infant.

81. Obstetrical and Gynecological Vocabulary
Term
Explanation
premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Symptoms that develop just prior to onset of menstrual period; may include irritability, headache, tender breasts, and anxiety
prolapsed uterus
Fallen uterus that can cause cervix to protrude through vaginal opening
rectocele
Protrusion or herniation of rectum into vagina

82. Figure 13.19 Illustration of (A) mild and (B) severely prolapsed uterus.

83. Obstetrical and Gynecological Vocabulary
Term
Explanation
stillbirth (SB)
Birth in which viable-aged fetus dies shortly before or at time of delivery
tubal ligation
Surgical tying off of uterine tubes to prevent pregnancy

84. Figure 13.20 Illustration show laparoscope being used to perform a tubal ligation.

85. Obstetrics and Gynecology Abbreviations
abortion
EMB
endometrial biopsy
BSE
breast self-examination
ERT
estrogen replacement therapy
CS, C-section
cesarean section
FHR
fetal heart rate
CVS
chorionic villus sampling
FHT
fetal heart tone Cx
cervix
FTND
full-term normal delivery
D&C
dilation and curettage

86. Obstetrics and Gynecology Abbreviations
GI, grav I
first pregnancy
HSG
hystero-salpingography
GYN, gyn
gynecology
IUD
intrauterine device
HDN
hemolytic disease of the newborn
IVF
in vitro fertilization
HPV
human papilloma virus
LMP
last menstrual period
HRT
hormone replacement therapy NB
newborn OB
obstetrics

87. Obstetrics and Gynecology Abbreviations
OCPs
oral contraceptives
PMS
premenstrual syndrome
Pap
Papanicolaou test SB
stillbirth
PI, para I
first birth
TAH-BSO
total abdominal hysterectomy – bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
PID
pelvic inflammatory disease

88. Combining Forms Match Up
colp/o
episi/o
hyster/o
lapar/o
mast/o
uterus
vulva
vagina
abdomen
breast