Medical Terminology Simplified

8–16 The uterus is a muscular, hollow, pear-shaped structure located in the pelvic

area between the bladder and rectum. (See Fig. 8–1.)

Use hyster/oto form a word that means visual examination of the uterus.

____________________ / _____ / ____________________

Use uter/oto form another word that means visual examination of the uterus.

__________ / _____ / ____________________

8–17 The uterus is supported and held in place by ligaments. Weakening of these

ligaments may cause a downward displacement, or prolapse, of the uterus.

Combine hyster/oand -ptosisto form a word that means prolapse or downward dis-

placement of the uterus.

____________________ / _____ / ____________________

8–18 A prolapsed uterus may be caused by heavy physical exertion, pregnancy, or

an inherent weakness. The surgical procedure to correct a prolapsed uterus is known

as hyster/o/pexy or uter/o/pexy.

Write the elements in this frame that mean

uterus:____________________ / _____, __________ / _____

fixation (of an organ):__________

8–19 Surgical repair is denoted by the suffix -plasty.Hyster/o/plasty,

uter/o/plasty, and metr/o/plasty all refer to____________________

____________________ of the ____________________.

8–20 Hyster/o/cele, a protrusion of uter/ine contents into a weakened area of the

uterine wall, may occur as a result of pregnancy.

A diagnosis (Dx) of herniation of the uterus would be documented in the medical

chart as__________ / _____ / __________.

8–21 The ovaries secrete two important hormones: estrogen and progesterone.

These hormones play an important role in the processes of menstruation and preg-

nancy, as well as the development of secondary sex characteristics.

When ovaries are diseased and necessitate removal, the body becomes deficient in the

hormones known as____________________ and ____________________.

Boldfaceindicates a word root or combining form. Blueindicates a suffix. Pinkindicates a prefix.

338 CHAPTER 8• Reproductive Systems

hyster/o/scopy

hĭs-tĕr-ŎS-kō-pē

uter/o/scopy

Ū-tĕr-ŏs-kō-pē

hyster/o/ptosis

hĭs-tĕr-ŏp-TŌ-sĭs

hyster/o, uter/o

-pexy

surgical repair, uterus

Ū-tĕr-ŭs

hyster/o/cele

HĬS-tĕr-ō-sēl

estrogen, progesterone

ĔS-trō-jĕn, prō-JĔS-tĕr-ōn