Glossary
Abscess: An infected wound that has pus in it.Abdomen: The part of the body below the ribs and above the pelvis.
Adhesions: Places where tissue grows together in an abnormal way; internal scar tissue.
Benign: Not cancer (noncancerous).
Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: The removal of both fallopian tubes and both ovaries.
Biopsy: A minor surgical procedure during which a small tissue specimen is removed and examined for the presence of disease, often cancer.
Bladder: A sac-like organ in the pelvic region where urine is stored before it leaves the body.
Cancer: A disease of the body's cells. Cells become abnormal and grow out of control. They can also spread to other parts of the body.
CAT scan: A special kind of body imaging that is processed by a computer and displayed on a screen for viewing. Also called a body section radiograph (x-ray).
Cervix: The lower, narrow end (or neck) of the uterus.
Cesarean section: Surgical delivery of a baby through an incision (cut) in the abdomen and uterus.
Chronic condition: A condition that lasts or keeps coming back over a long period of time.
Cystectomy: Surgical removal of an ovarian cyst, usually done along with laparoscopy (see "Laparoscopy").
D & C (dilation and curettage): A surgical procedure that involves dilating (opening) the cervix and scraping the uterine lining (endometrium).
Dysfunctional uterine bleeding: Abnormal uterine bleeding that is not associated with a tumor, inflammation, or pregnancy.
Dysplasia: The growth of abnormal cells. Dysplasia is a precancerous condition that may or may not turn into cancer at a later time.
Electric cauterization: The destruction of tissue with a special type of electric current.
Endometrial ablation: A surgical procedure in which lasers and electrical currents are used to remove the endometrium.
Endometrial biopsy: A sample of endometrial tissue is removed and examined for abnormal cells. (See "Biopsy.")
Endometriosis: A condition in which the same kind of tissue that lines the walls of the uterus grows outside the uterus in the pelvic cavity or some other area of the body.
Endometrium: The tissue that lines the inside of the uterus.
Estrogen: A hormone produced in the ovaries that affects the growth and health of female reproductive functions and organs.
Fallopian tubes: Tubes located on either side of the uterus that carry eggs from the ovary to the uterus.
Fertilization: The moment at which sperm penetrates an egg and a baby begins to grow.
Fibroids: Noncancerous growths that occur most often in the walls of the uterus.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH): A hormone sometimes prescribed to shrink fibroid tumors.
Hormone: A chemical produced by the body that regulates certain bodily functions. Synthetic (man-made) hormones are used in birth control pills and in medicines to treat certain conditions.
Hyperplasia: An overgrowth of the uterine lining, probably caused by excess estrogen. This is sometimes considered to be a precancerous condition, particularly in women who are near or through menopause.
Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus. Sometimes, the cervix and/or ovaries and fallopian tubes are also removed.
Hysteroscope: A thin, lighted tube that is inserted into the vagina to examine the cervix and inside of the uterus.
Intrauterine device (IUD): A device inserted by a physician in a woman's uterus to prevent pregnancy. Two types of IUDs are used in the United States. One releases a hormone and must be replaced each year. The other type is not medicated and can be left in place for up to 6 years.
Kegel exercises: Special exercises to tighten the pelvic muscles. These exercises are one method used to treat uterine prolapse and urinary incontinence (losing urine when you don't want to).
Laparoscopy: A surgical procedure that allows the doctor to look inside the pelvic cavity by inserting a tube-like instrument through a small cut in the abdomen.
Leiomyoma: The technical term for a fibroid tumor.
Ligaments: A band of tissue that can stretch and that supports other parts of the body.
Menopause: "The change"; the time when a woman stops having a period (menstruating).
