Medical Terminology Simplified

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CHAPTER

8

Reproductive

Systems

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:

• Describe the type of medical treatment gynecologists and obstetricians provide.


• Identify female and male reproductive structures by labeling them on the anatomical illustrations.


• Describe primary functions of the female and male reproductive systems.


• Describe diseases, conditions, and procedures related to the female and male reproductive systems.


• Apply your word-building skills by constructing medical terms related to the female and male
  reproductive systems.


• Describe common abbreviations and symbols related to the female and male reproductive systems.


• Recognize, define, pronounce, and spell terms correctly.


• Demonstrate your knowledge of this chapter by successfully completing the frames, reviews,
  and medical report evaluations.

MEDICAL SPECIALTIES

Gynecology

Gynecologyis the medical specialty concerned with diagnosis and treatment of female reproductive disorders, in-
cluding the breasts. Unlike most medical specialties, gynecology encompasses surgical and nonsurgical expertise of
the physician. The gynecologist is a physician who specializes in gynecology.

Obstetrics

Obstetricsis the branch of medicine concerned with pregnancy and childbirth, including the study of the physiological
and pathological functions of the female reproductive tract. It also involves the care of the mother and fetus throughout
pregnancy, childbirth, and the immediate postpartum(after birth) period. An obstetricianis a physician who spe-
cializes in obstetrics. The branch of medicine that concentrates on the care of the neonate (newborn) and in the
diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the neonate is known as neonatology. Once the infant is born, physicians
called neonatologistsspecialize in providing their medical care.

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Because obstetrics is studied in conjunction with gynecology, the physician’s medical practice commonly includes
both areas of expertise. This branch of medicine is called obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN). The OB-GYN physi-
cian possesses knowledge of endocrinology, because hormones play an important role in the function of the female