Unit 8 Reproductive System Pathological Conditions
Unit 8 Reproductive System Pathological Conditions
Unit 8 Reproductive System Pathological Conditions
Reproductive System
Pathological Conditions
Female Reproductive System
CANDIDIASIS
Vaginal fungal infection caused by Candida
albicans; characterized by a curdy or cheeselike
discharge and extreme itching.
CERVICITIS
Inflammation of the uterine cervix.
Cervicitis is usually the result of infection or a sexually
transmitted disease. It may also become chronic, because
the cervical lining is not renewed each month as is the
uterine lining during menstruation.
ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
Implantation of the
fertilized ovum outside of
the uterine cavity.
Ectopic pregnancy occurs in
approximately 1% of
pregnancies, most
commonly in the oviducts
(tubal pregnancy). Some
types of ectopic pregnancy
include ovarian, interstitial,
and isthmic.
ENDOMETRIOSIS
Presence of endometrial tissue outside (ectopic) the
uterine cavity, such as the pelvis or abdomen.
FIBROID
Benign neoplasm in the
uterus that is composed
largely of fibrous tissue;
also called leiomyoma.
Uterine fibroids are the
most common tumors in
women. If fibroids grow
too large and cause
symptoms such as pelvic
pain or menorrhagia,
hysterectomy may be
indicated.
LEUKORRHEA
White discharge from the vagina.
A greater than usual amount of leukorrhea is normal in
pregnancy, and a decrease is to be expected after
delivery, during lactation, and after menopause.
Leukorrhea is the most common reason women seek
gynecological care.
OLIGOMENORRHEA
Scanty or infrequent menstrual flow.
PREGNANCY-INDUCED HYPERTENSION (PIH)
Female
AMNIOCENTESIS
Obstetric procedure that involves surgical puncture of the
amniotic sac under ultrasound guidance to remove amniotic
fluid.
In amniocentesis, cells of the fetus found in the fluid are cultured and
studied chemically and cytologically to detect genetic abnormalities,
biochemical disorders, and maternal-fetal blood incompatibility.
COLPOSCOPY
Examination of the vagina and cervix with an
optical magnifying instrument (colposcope).
Colposcopy is commonly performed after a Papanicolaou
test to obtain biopsy specimens of the cervix.
HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAPHY
Radiography of the uterus and oviducts after
injection of a contrast medium.
LAPAROSCOPY
Visual examination of the abdominal cavity with a
laparoscope through one or more small incisions in the
abdominal wall, usually at the umbilicus.
Laparoscopy is used for inspection of the ovaries and
fallopian tubes, diagnosis of endometriosis, destruction of
uterine leiomyomas, myomectomy, and gynecologic
sterilization.
MAMMOGRAPHY
Radiography of breast; used to diagnose benign
and malignant tumors.
PAPANICOLAOU (PAP) TEST
Microscopic analysis of cells taken from the cervix
and vagina to detect the presence of carcinoma.
Cells are obtained for a Pap test via insertion of a
vaginal speculum and the use of a swab to scrape a
small tissue sample from the cervix and vagina.
ULTRASONOGRAPHY (US)
Imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound
waves (ultrasound) that bounce off body tissues and
are recorded to produce an image of an internal
organ or tissue.
Pelvic US is used to evaluate the female reproductive
organs and the fetus during pregnancy. Transvaginal US
places the sound probe in the vagina instead of across
the pelvis or abdomen, producing a sharper examination
of normal and pathologic structures within the pelvis.
ULTRASONOGRAPHY (US)
Diagnostic Procedures
Male
DIGITAL RECTAL EXAMINATION (DRE)
Female
CERCLAGE
Obstetric procedure in which a nonabsorbable
suture is used for holding the cervix closed to
prevent spontaneous abortion in a woman who has
an incompetent cervix.
DILATION AND CURETTAGE (D&C)
Surgical procedure that widens the cervical canal of
the uterus (dilation) so that the endometrium of the
uterus can be scraped (curettage).
D&C is performed to stop prolonged or heavy uterine
bleeding, diagnose uterine abnormalities, and obtain
tissue for microscopic examination. It is also performed
to remove tumors, rule out carcinoma of the uterus,
removed retained placental fragments after delivery or
after an incomplete abortion, and determine the cause of
infertility.
DILATION AND CURETTAGE (D&C)
HYSTEROSALPINGO-OOPHORECTOMY
Male
CIRCUMCISION
Surgical removal of
the foreskin or
prepuce of the
penis, usually
performed on the
male as an infant.
TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF THE
PROSTATE (TURP)
Surgical procedure to relieve obstruction caused by
benign prostatic hyperplasia (excessive overgrowth of
normal tissue) by insertion of a resectoscope into the
penis and through the urethra to “chip away” at
prostatic tissue and flush out chips (using an irrigation
solution).
The pieces of prostatic tissue obtained through TURP are sent
to the laboratory to be analyzed for possible evidence of CA.
Although TURP relieves the obstruction, overgrowth of tissue
may recur over several years. Lasers may also be used to
destroy prostatic tissue and relieve obstruction.
TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF THE
PROSTATE (TURP)
GONADOTROPIN
Hormonal preparation used to increase sperm count
in infertility cases.