| Adenomyosis |
Benign invasive growth of the endometrium into the muscular layer of the uterus.
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| Adhesion |
Fibrous band between two structures that are not normally connected.
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| Anteverted |
Tilted forward; the most common position for the uterus.
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| Attenuated |
Stretched out, lengthened.
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| Bifurcation |
A seperation into two branches; the point of forking.
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| Cardinal Ligaments |
Broad-based, fan shaped sweeps of endopelvic fascia that support the uterus and cervix and contain uterine artery.
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| CM |
2.54 centimeters equal one inch.
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| Collision Dyspareunia |
Collision dyspareunia is a type of pain during sexual intercourse caused when the penis hits the uterus or the cervix. It has been described as feeling like something was being bumped or being torn inside. The condition is associated with a tipped uterus.
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| Colpopexy |
Surgery to replace vagina into correct anatomical position, also known as vaginal suspension.
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| Cul-de-Sac |
Part of the pelvic cavity between the rectum and the uterus. Also called the Pouch of Douglas.
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| Culdoplasty |
Plastic surgery to correct relaxation of the back wall of the vagina.
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| Cystocele |
Occurs when the tissues between the bladder and the vagina weaken, allowing the bladder to bulge into the front of the vagina. Also called herniation of the bladder.
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| Dysmenorrhea |
Chronic, often severe, mentrual pain and/or cramps.
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| Dyspareunia |
Pain during sexual intercourse.
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| Endometriosis |
Presence of endometrial tissue (lining of the uterus) in abdominal locations.
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| Endopelvic |
Within the pelvis.
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| Enterocele |
Occurs when the colon and/or small bowel herniate into the upper part of the vaginal wall. Also called herniation of the colon and small bowel.
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| Extracorporeal |
Outside the body.
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| Fibrosis |
Inflammation that results in the formation of fibrous tissue.
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| GnRH Agonist |
A category of drugs which block the production of estrogen called gonadtropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists used to reduce pain and make surgery easier by reducing the inflammation related to endometriosis.
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| Hysterectomy |
Removal of the uterus.
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| Inguinal Canal |
Passage way from the connecting the abdominal cavity to the structures around the pelvic bone.
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| Introitus |
Opening of the vagina.
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| Laparoscopic |
Surgery that uses small openings to pass instruments. Also called "belly button" surgery or band-aid surgery.
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| Lateral |
Toward the side of the body.
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| Levator |
A muscle that raises or elevates a part.
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| Medial |
Near the center of the body.
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| Obliquely |
At an angle or diagonal.
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| Pelvic Adhesions |
Fibrous tissue that forms between pelvic organs usually as a result of trauma, inflammation or injury.
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| Pessaries |
Devices inserted into the vagina to support the uterus.
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| Pouch of Douglas |
A small sac like structure between the rectum and uterus. Also called the cul-de-sac.
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| Presacral Neurectomy |
In cases of severe pain, the procedure is used to sever the sensory nerves leading to the pelvis.
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| Prolapse |
The falling down or slipping of a body part from its normal position. |
| Rectocele |
Occurs when the tissue layers between the rectum and the vagina weaken, allowing the rectum to herniate and cause a bulging into the back of the vagina. Also called herniation of the rectum.
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| Retroperitoneal |
Located behind the peritoneum and outside the peritoneal cavity.
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| Retroflexed Uterus |
A uterus that is bent backward.
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| Retroverted Uterus |
A uterus that is not in the normal anteverted (tipped forward) position;
a retroverted uterus may also be referred to as a tipped uterus or a tilted uterus.
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| Round Ligaments |
Two round chord like structures connected from the top of the uterus to the lateral abdominal wall.
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| Sampson's Artery |
A small vessel within the round ligament.
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| Trocar |
A surgical instrument used to access the abdomen before laparoscopic surgery.
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| Truncated |
Shortened.
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| UPLIFT |
An acronym developed by Dr. James E. Carter in the late 1990's that means uterine positioning by ligament fixation and truncation.
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| Ureter |
The tube that drains the urine from the kidney to the bladder.
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| Uterine Prolapse |
The uterus has slipped from its usual position or relationships to other organs.
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| Uterine Suspension |
Procedure in which the uterus is repositioned into an anteverted position to relieve pain.
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| Uterosacral Ligaments |
One of the major supports for the uterus; attaches the uterus to the sacrum (tailbone).
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| Uterosacral Nerve Ablation |
A procedure in which the nerves running to the uterus are severed in an attempt to eliminate pain and cramping.
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| Uterus |
Also called the womb, the uterus is a pear-shaped organ located in a woman's lower abdomen, between the bladder and the rectum.
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