Medical, Surgical, & Viewing Terms and Abbreviations
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.