This document discusses three topics related to female reproductive anatomy and procedures: 1. It defines a total abdominal hysterectomy-bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy as the removal of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, which is the most common gynecological surgery performed in the US. 2. It describes the three stages of labor and delivery as dilation, effacement, and expulsion. Effacement is the thinning of the cervix to prepare for delivery. 3. It defines the endometrium as the inner lining of the uterus that prevents stickiness and keeps the uterine cavity open. During the menstrual cycle, the endometrium thick

1. PRESENTATION 10 A Frank Lemond Biology 120 7/11/10

2. 1. A. 10. One of the longest terms used in medical terminology refers to the removal of the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. This term = TOTAL ABDOMINAL HYSTERECTOMY-BILATERAL SALPINGO-OOPHORECTOMY. This procedure = usually performed by a gynecologist. It’s the most common gynecological surgical procedure. In 2003, almost 1 million of these procedures were performed in the U.S. alone.

3. 2. A. 3. The 3 stages of labor and delivery are the dilation stage, the effacement stage, and the expulsion stage. Labor = defined as the onset of rhythmic contractions and the relaxation of the uterine smooth muscles which results in EFFACEMENT (the process by which the cervix prepares for delivery). Effacement = also the progressive thinning of the cervix.

4. 2. A. 3. (continued) DILATION = the opening of the cervix (the neck of the uterus), a.k.a. the entrance to the uterus during gynecological surgery, induced abortion, miscarriage or, in this case childbirth (i.e. labor & delivery). Cervical dilation may occur naturally, or may be induced by medical means.

5. 3. A. 7. The inner lining of the uterus is called the ENDOMETRIUM. This = the inner membrane of the mammalian uterus, so most, if not all, female mammals possess the endometrium (not just humans, i.e. homo sapiens). The endometrium functions as a lining for the uterus, preventing stickiness between the walls of the myometrium, thereby keeping the uterine cavity open.

6. 3. A. 7 (continued) During the menstrual cycle, the endometrium grows to a thick, blood vessel-rich, glandular tissue layer. This is the best environment for the implantation of a blastocyst upon its arrival to the uterus. The endometrium = central, detectable using ultrasound, and has an average thickness of 0.67 centimeters.