Medical, Surgical, & Viewing Terms and Abbreviations
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 hy