CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM GLOSSARY

Anatomical Parts
Term Definition Equivalent Term
Mammary glands: Milk-producing gland of women.

Areola Dark-colored skin on the breast that

surrounds the nipple.
Nipple Protuberance of a mammary gland
upon which in the female the
lactiferous ducts open.
Vulva The female external genitals.
External opening of the vagina.
Labia The fleshy folds that surround the
opening of the vagina. The outer
folds (labia majora). The inner folds
are called the (labia minora).
Vagina Muscular tube leading from the
external genitals to the cervix.
Cervix Narrow end of the uterus that forms
a canal between the uterus and
vagina.
Uterus: Hollow, pear-shaped organ in a
woman's pelvis.
Endometrium: Inner layer of the uterus.

Myometrium Middle layer of the uterus, made up

of smooth muscle.

Perimetrium The outer serous layer of the uterus.

The serous layer secretes a
lubricating fluid that helps to reduce
friction.

Conditions
Term Definition Equivalent Term
HPV Human papilloma virus; responsible
for genital warts and cervical cancer.

Mastitis Inflammation of the breast.

Engorgement When the breast tissue overfills with
milk, blood and other fluids and is a
common problem in the early days
and weeks of breastfeeding.
Fibroids Benign tumors of muscular and
fibrous tissues, typically developing
in the wall of the uterus.
Sexually-Transmitted Diseases Diseases that can be transmitted by
sexual intercourse.

Menopause A period of life where menstruation

stops.
Genital Warts Small, rough hard bumps in the
genital area.
Ectopic Pregnancy A pregnancy in which the fetus
develops outside the uterus.
Endometriosis: Appearance of endometrial tissue
outside the uterus. It causes pain.

Adenomyosis Condition in which the inner lining of

the uterus breaks through the
muscle wall of the uterus.

Trichomoniasis An infection caused by parasitic

trichomonads.
Cervical Cancer A cancer that occurs in the cells of
the cervix.
Preeclampsia A high-blood pressure condition that
develops during pregnancy (20th
week).
Eclampsia: Onset of seizures or coma in a
pregnant woman with preeclampsia.
The seizures are not related to a
previously existing brain condition.
Gestational Diabetes Diabetes, when first diagnosed in
gestation.
Abortion The deliberate termination of a
human pregnancy, most often
performed during the first 28 weeks
of pregnancy
Miscarriage The expulsion of a fetus from the
uterus before it is able to survive
independently, (spontaneously or
because of an accident)
Procedures, Testing, & Devices
Term Definition Equivalent Term
Mammogram: An x-ray picture of the breast.

Dilation & Curettage A surgical procedure in which the

cervix is dilated (expanded) so that
the uterine lining can be scrapped.
Colposcopy A procedure in which a lighted,
magnifying instrument called
a colposcope is used to examine the
cervix.
Contraception Intentional prevention of
conception.
Mastectomy Removal of the breast.

Oophorectomy Removal of one or both ovaries.

Salpingectomy Removal of fallopian tubes.

Hysterectomy Removal of the uterus.

Cesarean Section (C-section) Type of surgery done to deliver a

Pelvic exam
Speculum
Pap smear
HCG (Human Chorionic
Gonadotropin)
24-hour urine protein test
Non-Stress Test (NST)
Oxytocin Challenge test
Intra-uterine device (IUD)
baby.
A procedure in which the doctor
checks your vulva, vagina, cervix,
ovaries, uterus, rectum and pelvis
for any abnormalities
Duck-bill-shaped device that doctors
use to see inside a hollow part of
your body and diagnose or treat
disease.
A test carried out on a sample of
cells from the cervix to check for
abnormalities.
Hormone that helps maintain
pregnancy.
A test that measures the amount of
albumin in your urine over 24 hours.
Monitoring the baby's heart rate
goes faster while resting or moving.
Test done to see if the baby will
tolerate contractions during labor.
Shaped like a "T", It
prevents pregnancy by

Medications
Hormonal birth control methods (The part highlighted is just a brand name, so you just
interpret it the same way in your target language)
Term
Birth Control Methods
Oral Birth control pills
(Levenorgestrel)
Injection (Depo-Provera)
Implant (Nexplanon)
Misoprostol (Cytotec)
stopping sperm from reaching and
fertilizing eggs.
Definition Equivalent Term
Different methods, used to prevent
pregnancy (hormones, barrier).
Oral contraceptive, that prevent
ovulation. Has to be taken every day.
Contraceptive method that also
prevents ovulation (every 3 months).
Small implant that goes in the arm,
design to release a specific dose of
hormones each day, to prevent
ovulation (3 years).
A prescription medication that can
be used as a prophylaxis to
prevent NSAID-Induced Ulcers, as
pregnancy termination or induction
of labor.