1. Component 3-Terminology in Healthcare and Public Health Settings
Unit 10-Reproductive Systems
Lecture 10a-Female Reproductive System
Welcome to Unit 10 of Terminology in Healthcare and Public Health Settings. This lecture explores the female reproductive system. Unless otherwise indicated, the materials presented in this lecture were adapted from the information available on the MedlinePlus (pronounced med-line-plus) website.
This material was developed by The University of Alabama at Birmingham, funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology under Award Number 1U24OC

2. Female Reproductive System
Objectives
Define, understand and correctly pronounce medical terms related to the female reproductive system
Describe the following in relation to the female reproductive system
common diseases and conditions
laboratory and diagnostic procedures
medical and surgical procedures
medications
By the end of this lecture, students should be able to define, understand and correctly pronounce various medical terms related to the female reproductive system. They should also be able to describe common diseases and conditions, laboratory and diagnostic procedures, medical and surgical procedures and medications related to the female reproductive system.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

3. Female Reproductive System Overview
Anatomy of the female reproductive system
Breasts
Mammary glands
Ovaries
Fallopian tubes
The reproductive systems in the male and female are concerned with producing new members of our species. Let’s start with the female reproductive system. The female reproductive system consists of internal and external genitalia. The internal reproductive organs consist of the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes and the vagina as shown in the slide.
Mammary glands are found in the breasts. While these glands are not part of the reproductive process, they are considered part of the female reproductive system since they have a lactation function -- they produce milk for the newborn child.
The ovaries are small, paired organs that produce the eggs, or ova. The ovaries also secrete the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone.
The fallopian tubes, also called oviducts, are tubes leading from the ovaries into the uterus. The oviducts are lined with cilia (hair-like projections) that push an egg, or ovum, through the tubes.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

4. Female Reproductive System Overview
Anatomy of the female reproductive system
Breasts
Mammary glands
Ovaries
Fallopian tubes
Uterus
Cervix
Vagina
The uterus is the major female reproductive organ. It is a pear-shaped muscular organ. Its main function is to receive a fertilized Ovum, which becomes an embryo and implants into the Endometrium.  The Endometrium is the inside lining of the Uterus which provides the nutritional and protective support for the fetus to develop and grow. When the fetus is mature, the cervix dilates, the uterus contracts, and the fetus is expelled through the birth canal or vagina.
The cervix is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it connects to the top end of the vagina. It is cone-shaped and also is referred to as the neck of the uterus.
The vagina is a muscular, tube-shaped organ connecting the uterus to the outside of the body. Semen from the male is deposited into the female’s vagina at the climax of sexual intercourse. Pubic hair around the vagina protects the vagina from infection. The growth of pubic hair is a sign of puberty.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

5. Breast Disorders and Diseases
Breast Diseases
Fibrocystic breasts
lumpiness, thickening and swelling, often associated with a female’s menstrual cycle
Cysts
fluid-filled lumps
Fibroadenomas
Solid, round, rubbery lumps that move easily when pushed
Intraductal papillomas
Growths similar to warts near the nipple of the breast
Now let’s look at some of the disorders and diseases of the female reproductive system.
Most women experience breast changes at some point in their lives. A woman’s age, hormone levels and medications may cause lumps, bumps or discharges.
Minor and serious breast problems often have similar symptoms. This is a list of common breast disorders that are non-cancerous in females.
Fibrocystic breast condition is characterized by lumpiness, thickening and swelling of the breasts, and is often associated with a female’s menstrual cycle.
Cysts, which are fluid-filled lumps, are another breast disorder.
Fibroadenomas (pronounced fibro (like fiber)-ad-en-ome-uhs) are benign solid, round, rubbery lumps that move easily when pushed.
Intraductal papillomas are growths similar to warts near the nipple of the breast.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

6. Breast Disorders and Diseases
Breast Cancer
Risk Factors
Older age
Genetics
Overweight
Hormone use
Alcohol use
Dense breasts
First child after age 35
Symptoms
Lump
Change in size or shape
Nipple discharge
Breast cancer affects one in eight women during their lives. One of the risk factors is your age. The chance of getting breast cancer increases as you get older. Another risk factor is your genetic inheritance. There are two genes, BRCA1 (pronounced B-R-C-A one) and BRCA 2, that if present greatly increase your risk. There are also certain personal factors, such as beginning the menstrual cycle before age 12 or going through menopause after age 55, that also increase the likelihood that you will get breast cancer.
Additional risk factors include being overweight, using hormone replacement therapy, taking birth control pills, drinking alcohol, not having children or having your first child after age 35, or having dense breasts.
Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump, a change in the size or shape of the breast or a discharge from the nipple.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

7. Breast Disorders and Diseases
Breast Cancer
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnostic Tests
Mammography
Biopsy
Open
Needle
Treatment
Radiation
Chemotherapy
Hormone Therapy
Surgery
Lumpectomy
Mastectomy
Breast self-examinations and mammography can help detect breast cancer early when it is more treatable.
A breast biopsy is when a small amount of tissue is removed in order to identify signs of breast cancer. There are several types of biopsies. An open biopsy is when a surgeon excises some breast tissue through an open incision. A needle biopsy allows fluid and tissue to be withdrawn using a needle. These tissue samples are then sent to a pathologist for examination under a microscope.
When a breast cancer diagnosis is reached, treatment options include radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and surgery. Surgery can be a lumpectomy, where only the lump is taken out, or mastectomy which is excision (pronounced ex-siz-zhun), that is removal, of the whole breast.
Men can have breast cancer as well, but the number of cases is small.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

8. Cervical Disorders and Disease
Cervicitis
Cervical incompetence
Cervical polyps and cysts
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Low Risk HPV
Genital Warts
High Risk HPV
Cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina and anus
Diagnostic test
Pap smears to detect changes in the cervix
Treatment
Vaccines for several types of HPV
This slide lists the disorders and diseases associated with the cervix.
Cervicitis (pronounced service-SIGHT-iss)is the inflammation of the cervix.
Cervical incompetence is the widening of the cervical opening during pregnancy prior to the full-term development of the fetus.
Cervical polyps and cysts are abnormal growths on the cervix.
Human papillomaviruses (pronounced papp-ill-ome-uh-viruses) or HPV (pronounced H-P-V) are common viruses that can cause warts. There are more than one hundred types of HPV. Most are harmless, but about thirty types put one at risk for cancer. They are classified as low-risk or high-risk.
Low-risk HPV can cause genital warts. Genital warts are a sexually transmitted disease (STD (pronounced S-T-D) caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). The warts are soft, moist, pink or flesh-colored bumps. In females, the warts usually occur around the vagina, on the cervix or anus. The warts might disappear on their own, or they can be treated or removed. However, the virus stays in your body even after treatment so they can return.
High-risk HPV can lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, and anus.
Pap smears can be used to diagnose changes in the cervix associated with these problems. There is a relatively new vaccine which protects against several types of HPV.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

9. Cervical Disorders and Diseases
Gonorrhea
Sexually transmitted disease
Symptoms
Bleeding
Pain
Treatment
Antibiotics
Untreated can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease
Gonorrhea is a curable STD. The bacteria that causes gonorrhea can infect the genital tract, mouth or anus. Symptoms in females include bleeding between menstrual cycles, pain when urinating and increased discharge from the vagina. Untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which can lead to infertility. Treatment includes antibiotics.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

10. Cervical Disorders and Diseases
Gonorrhea
Trichomoniasis
Sexually transmitted disease
Symptoms
Green or yellow discharge
Itching
Burning when urinating
Treatment
Antibiotics
Trichomoniasis (pronounced trick-uh-moan-eye-uh-sis) is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a parasite. Symptoms include a green or yellow discharge from the vagina, itching in or near the vagina and discomfort with urination. This disease is also treated with antibiotics.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

11. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Infection of the female reproductive organs
Symptoms
Pain in the lower abdomen
Fever
Foul smelling vaginal discharge
Irregular bleeding
Complications
Infertility
Ectopic pregnancy
Pelvic pain
Treated with antibiotics
Pelvic inflammatory disease or PID (pronounced P-I-D) is an infection and inflammation of the female reproductive organs. It can lead to scarring of the fallopian tubes, which can, in turn, result in infertility, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic pain and other problems. PID is the most common preventable cause of infertility in the US. Common causes are gonorrhea and chlamydia (pronounced cluh-mid-ee-uh), which is another STD caused by bacteria, but other bacteria can also cause PID.
Some women have no symptoms. Others have pain in the lower abdomen, fever, foul- smelling vaginal discharge, irregular bleeding and painful intercourse. Treatment for PID involves antibiotics, and early treatment is desirable to avoid the risks of infertility.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

12. Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011
Ovarian Cancer
Risk Factors
Generally occurs in females over 50 years of age
Can occur in younger females
Symptoms
Heavy feeling in the pelvic area
Pain in the lower abdomen or worsening back pain
Vaginal bleeding or abnormal periods
Weight gain or loss
Treatment
Surgery followed by chemotherapy
Ovarian cancer generally occurs in women over 50 years of age, but it can also occur in younger women. This type of cancer is very difficult to detect. When the diagnosis is made in an early stage, there is a better chance of recovery for the patient.
Symptoms include a heavy feeling in the pelvic area, pain in the lower abdomen, bleeding from the vaginal area, weight gain or weight loss, abnormal periods and unexplained back pain that worsens over time.
Treatment is usually surgery followed by chemotherapy.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

13. Uterine Disorders and Diseases
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Variety of causes
Diagnostic tests
Blood tests
Other tests
Treatment
Depends on the cause
There are several medical problems associated with the uterus. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding, for example, may be the first sign of a uterine disease. Causes of abnormal bleeding include uterine fibroids, hormone disorders, the use of birth control pills, thyroid problems, polyps, cancer, infection or pregnancy. Diagnosis requires pelvic exams, blood tests and/or other procedures. Treatment depends on the cause of the dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

14. Uterine Disorders and Diseases
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Endometriosis
Lining of uterus grows outside the uterus
Unknown cause
Treatment
Medications
Hormones
Surgery
Another problem, endometriosis (pronounced endo-meet-tree-oh-sis), occurs when the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. The tissue may grow on the ovaries, behind the uterus or on the bowels or bladder. The tissue outside of the uterus may cause pain, infertility and excessive bleeding during the menstrual cycle. The cause of endometriosis is not known. Treatment includes pain medications, hormones, and sometimes surgery.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

15. Uterine Disorders and Diseases
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Uterine fibroids
Most common noncancerous tumor in women of child-bearing age
Symptoms
Painful menstrual cycles
Bleeding between cycles
Frequent urination
Lower back pain
Reproductive problems
Treatment
Medications
Surgery
Uterine fibroids are the most common non-cancerous tumors in women of childbearing age. Fibroids are made of muscle cells and other tissues that grow in and around the wall of the uterus. The cause is unknown. Risk factors include being African-American and being overweight. Symptoms include painful menstrual cycles, bleeding between cycles, frequent urination, lower back pain and reproductive problems. Treatment for fibroids includes medications and possibly surgery.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

16. Uterine Disorders and Diseases
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Endometriosis
Uterine fibroids
Adenomyosis
Endometrium (lining of uterus) grows into muscular layer of uterus
Treatment
Adenomyosis (pronounced add-en-ome-my-oh-sis) occurs when the endometrium grows into the muscular layer of the uterus. Treatment includes pain medications ,hormones and surgery.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

17. Uterine Disorders and Diseases
Cancer of the uterus
Three different types
Endometrial cancer most common
Risk Factors
Post-menopause
Obesity
Hormone replacement therapy
Symptoms
Vaginal bleeding, discharge
Urinary difficulty
Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse
Treatments
Hysterectomy
Hormone therapy
Radiation therapy
Cancer also occurs in the uterus. There are different types of uterine cancer. The most common type begins in the lining of the uterus called the endometrium and is called endometrial cancer.
This type of cancer usually occurs after menopause. Other factors that may increase the risks are obesity and taking hormone replacement therapy.
The symptoms include unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, trouble urinating, pelvic pain and pain during intercourse.
Treatment varies depending on the patient’s age, how advanced the cancer is and whether hormones affect its growth. Treatment is usually a hysterectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the uterus. Other treatments that may be recommended include hormone therapy and radiation therapy.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

18. Vaginal Disorders and Diseases
Vaginal Cancer
Increased Risk Factors
Age 60 and older
Females with HPV
Female with a mother who took diethylstilbestrol (DES)
while pregnant
Symptoms
Bleeding that is irregular
Vaginal lump
Pelvic pain
Treatment
Surgery
Radiation
Chemotherapy
The last disease of the female reproductive system is vaginal cancer. The risk factors for vaginal cancer include being over age 60, having HPV, and having a mother who took diethylstilbestrol(pronounced dye-ethyl-still-best-trol),or DES (pronounced D-E-S), while pregnant.
The symptoms of vaginal cancer include bleeding that is irregular, lumps in the vagina, and pelvic pain.
Treatment options include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

19. Combining Forms - Female
Word Part Meaning Key Terms cervic/o cervix cervical gynec/o woman gynecomastia hyster/o uterus hysterectomy mamm/o breast mammogram oophor/o ovary oophorectomy uter/o uterus uterine vagin/o vagina vaginitis
Here are some key word parts related to the female reproductive system along with their meanings. In the third column you can see some of the medical terms that we can create by combining word parts. You should return to the online medical dictionary to hear the pronunciation and become familiar with the meaning of the created terms.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

20. Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011
Unit 10
Tell me, Detective
A patient in her early forties presented to the Gynecology Clinic with irregular bleeding, a vaginal lump and pelvic pain. Her history revealed that her mother had taken diethylstilbestrol (DES) while she was pregnant. What is a diagnosis that would need to be excluded?
Now read the slide and see if you can figure out the diagnosis.
NOTE: Pause about 4 seconds
Did you guess vaginal cancer?
The risk factors for vaginal cancer include being over age 60, having HPV, and having a mother who took diethylstilbestrol(pronounced dye-ethyl-still-best-trol),or DES (pronounced D-E-S), while pregnant.
The symptoms of vaginal cancer include bleeding that is irregular, lumps in the vagina, and pelvic pain.
Treatment options include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011

21. Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011
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Component 3/Unit 10-10a
Health IT Workforce Curriculum Version 2.0/Springl 2011