Medical Terminology Flashcards

In OB/GYN terminology, what does 'amniocentesis' involve?

Answer: Needle aspiration of amniotic fluid

'Amnio-' refers to the amniotic sac and '-centesis' means surgical puncture to withdraw fluid, so amniocentesis is needle aspiration of amniotic fluid for testing.

The medical term 'eclampsia' is most associated with which condition?

Answer: Seizures occurring in a pregnant patient with preeclampsia

Eclampsia refers to new-onset grand mal seizures in a woman with preeclampsia, representing the severe end of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy spectrum.

What does the combining form 'cervic/o' refer to in OB/GYN terminology?

Answer: Either the neck or the cervix of the uterus

'Cervic/o' derives from the Latin 'cervix' meaning neck and can refer to the neck or the cervix (neck of the uterus) depending on context.

Which term means surgical puncture of the cul-de-sac (posterior vaginal fornix) to withdraw fluid?

Answer: Culdocentesis

'Culdo-' refers to the cul-de-sac and '-centesis' means surgical puncture to remove fluid, so culdocentesis drains the rectouterine pouch.

The prefix 'retro-' in 'retroversion' means:

Answer: Backward or behind

'Retro-' means backward or behind; retroversion of the uterus describes the uterus tipping backward toward the rectum instead of forward.

What does 'salpingitis' refer to in gynecologic terminology?

Answer: Inflammation of the fallopian tube

'Salping/o' is the combining form for fallopian tube, and '-itis' means inflammation, so salpingitis is inflammation of the fallopian tube.

In the COBGC exam context, 'gestation' refers to:

Answer: The period of fetal development from conception to birth

Gestation refers to the period of fetal development from conception to birth, typically about 40 weeks in humans.