Medical Careers & Professional Terminology

gynecologist: a physician who deals with the function and diseases specific to women’s and girls’ reproductive systems

gynecology: the study of the female reproductive system

obstetrician: a physician qualified to deliver children

obstetrics: the medical specialty concerned with childbirth

reproductive endocrinologist: a physician who has special training in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility

Imaging Techniques/Procedures for the Organ System

colposcope: device for viewing the vagina

endoscopy: process of viewing internally

hysterosalpingography: an x-ray exam of the uterus and fallopian tubes

laparoscopy: a surgical procedure in which a fiber-optic instrument is inserted through the abdominal wall to view the organs in the abdomen or to permit a surgical procedure

mammogram: an image obtained through mammography

mammography: a technique using x-rays to diagnose and locate tumors of the breasts

pelvic sonography: using ultrasound to visualize the pelvic organs, such as during pregnancy

transvaginal sonography: using an ultrasound wand inserted into the vagina to visualize the pelvic organs

Medical and Surgical Techniques/Procedures Used for the Organ System

cervicectomy: excision of all or part of the cervix

colpoplasty: surgical repair of the vagina

colporrhaphy: surgical suturing of the vagina

douching: washing the vagina with fluid

endometrial ablation: removal of endometrial tissue through use of a laser

episiotomy: surgical incision of the vulva

episiorrhaphy: surgical repair of the vulva

hysterectomy: surgical removal of the uterus

hysteropexy: surgical fixation of the uterus

hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy: excision of the uterus, uterine tubes, and ovaries

mammoplasty: surgical repair of the breast, particularly after a mastectomy

mastectomy: excision of breast(s) and or breast tissue

myomectomy: surgical removal of a fibroid tumor

oophorectomy: surgical removal of one or both ovaries

Papanicolaou smear (Pap smear): a smear method for examining cells that is used to detect cancers of the cervix

perineorrhaphy: surgical repair of the perineum

salpingectomy: surgical removal of one or both uterine tubes

salpingo-oophorectomy: surgical removal of one or both uterine tubes and ovaries

salpingostomy: creation of an opening within a fallopian tube

speculum: instrument for opening a body cavity to allow visual inspection

tubal ligation: surgical closure of the fallopian tubes for sterilization

Abbreviations Commonly Used with the Organ System

BC: birth control

Cx: cervix

D&C: dilation and curettage

FBD: fibrocystic breast disease

GYN: gynecology

HPV: human papillomavirus

HRT: hormone replacement therapy

HSG: hysterosalpingogram

IUD: intrauterine device

LAVH: laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy

PCOS: polycystic ovarian syndrome

PID: pelvic inflammatory disease

PMS: premenstrual syndrome

SGH: sonohysterography

TAH/BSO: total abdominal hysterectomy/bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

TLH: total laparoscopic hysterectomy

TSS: toxic shock syndrome

TVH: total vaginal hysterectomy

TVS: transvaginal sonography

UAE: uterine artery embolization

Medical Terms Practice

For each card, click the speaker icon to hear the correct pronunciation of the listed term. Practice saying the term to yourself, then attempt to define the term from memory. Click “Turn” to flip the card and see the definition. Use the right and left arrows to toggle through the cards in each set.