7.1 – Introduction to the Female Reproductive System
7.1 – Introduction to the Female Reproductive System
Learning Objectives
- Identify the anatomy and describe the main functions of the female reproductive system
- Analyze, translate, and define medical terms and common abbreviations of the female reproductive system
- Practice the spelling and pronunciation of female reproductive system medical terminology
- Identify the medical specialties associated with the female reproductive system and explore common diseases, disorders, diagnostic tests and procedures
Female Reproductive System Word Parts
Click on prefixes, combining forms, and suffixes to reveal a list of word parts to memorize for the female reproductive system.
Female Reproductive System Word Parts
Prefix
- peri– (surrounding)
- endo– (within, inside)
- a– (absence of, without)
- an– (absence of, without)
- dys– (painful, difficult, abnormal, laboured)
Combining Form
- arche/o (first, beginning)
- cervic/o (cervix)
- colp/o (vagina)
- endometri/o (endometrium)
- episi/o (vulva)
- gyn/o (woman)
- gynec/o (woman)
- hymen/o (hymen)
- hyster/o (uterus)
- mamm/o (breast)
- mast/o (breast)
- men/o (menstruation)
- metr/o (uterus)
- metr/i (uterus)
- oophor/o (ovary)
- pelv/i (pelvis, pelvic bones, pelvic cavity)
- perine/o (perineum)
- salping/o (fallopian tube)
- trachel/o (cervix)
- vagin/o (vagina)
- vulv/o (vulva)
Suffix
- –al (pertaining to)
- –atresia (occlusion, closure)
- –clesis (surgical closure)
- –ectomy (excision, surgical removal)
- –gram (the record, radiographic image)
- –graphy (process of recording, radiographic imaging)
- –itis (inflammation)
- –logist (specialist or physician who studies and treats)
- –logy (study of)
- –osis (abnormal condition)
- –pexy (surgical fixation, suspension)
- –plasty (surgical repair)
- –rrhaphy (suturing, repairing)
- –rrhea (flow, discharge)
- –salpinx (fallopian tube)
- –scope (instrument used for visual examination)
- –scopy (visually examining)
- –tomy (cut into, incision)
Activity source: Female Reproductive System by Kimberlee Carter licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Introduction to the Female Reproductive System
The female reproductive system produces gametes and reproductive hormones. In addition, the female reproductive system supports the developing fetus and delivers it to the outside world. The female reproductive system is located primarily inside the pelvic cavity. The female gonads are called ovaries and the gamete they produce is called an oocyte.
Media 7.1: CrashCourse. (2015, October 26). Reproductive system, part 1 – Female reproductive system: Crash Course anatomy & physiology #40 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/RFDatCchpus
Female Reproductive System Medical Terms
Female Reproductive System Medical Terms (Text version)
Practice the following female reproductive system words by breaking into word parts and pronouncing.
- menarche
- men/arche
- beginning of menstruation
- cervicitis
- cervic/itis
- inflammation of the cervix
- endocervical
- endo/cervic/al
- pertaining to within t