menstrual period
(MEN-stroo-ul PEER-ee-ud)
The periodic discharge of blood and tissue from the uterus. From puberty until menopause, menstruation occurs about every 28 days, but does not occur during pregnancy.
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
blood (blud)
A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
discharge (DIS-charj)
In medicine, a fluid that comes out of the body. Discharge can be normal or a sign of disease. Discharge also means release of a patient from care.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
menopause (MEH-nuh-pawz)
The time of life when a woman’s ovaries stop producing hormones and menstrual periods stop. Natural menopause usually occurs around age 50. A woman is said to be in menopause when she hasn’t had a period for 12 months in a row. Symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, vaginal dryness, trouble concentrating, and infertility.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
menstruation (MEN-stroo-WAY-shun)
Periodic discharge of blood and tissue from the uterus. From puberty until menopause, menstruation occurs about every 28 days when a woman is not pregnant.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
pregnancy (PREG-nun-see)
The condition between conception (fertilization of an egg by a sperm) and birth, during which the fertilized egg develops in the uterus. In humans, pregnancy lasts about 288 days.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
puberty (PYOO-ber-tee)
The time of life when a child experiences physical and hormonal changes that mark a transition into adulthood. The child develops secondary sexual characteristics and becomes able to have children. Secondary sexual characteristics include growth of pubic, armpit, and leg hair; breast enlargement; and increased hip width in girls. In boys, they include growth of pubic, face, chest and armpit hair; voice changes; penis and testicle growth, and increased shoulder width.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
tissue (TIH-shoo)
A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
uterus (YOO-teh-rus)
The small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis. This is the organ in which a fetus develops. Also called womb.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
Inside MSKCC
|
©2013 Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center