Fibroids: Glossary of Terms

Adhesions - Abnormal bands of scar tissue that connect organs or tissues that are normally separate. Adhesions can result from surgeries, endometriosis, or previous infections.

Anemia - A condition that occurs when the number of red blood cells (or the hemoglobin in them) falls below normal and the body gets less oxygen and therefore has less energy than it needs to function properly.

Cervix - The entrance to (neck of) the uterus; dilates (opens) during labor to allow passage of the baby through the birth canal.

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding - Heavy menstrual bleeding caused by imbalances of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Endometrium (en-do-me-tre-um) - The lining of the uterus that is shed each month during menstruation.

Estrogen - A sex hormone, found naturally in a woman's body, which is produced by the ovaries, adrenal glands and other tissues.

Fallopian tubes - Narrow tubular structures attached to the uterus and extending toward the ovaries through which the egg travels from the ovaries to the uterus; fertilization occurs in the fallopian tubes.

Fibromyoma - Another word for fibroid.

Fibroids - Usually benign (non-cancerous), fibrous growths in the uterus that can cause pressure and pain in addition to heavy periods.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) agonist - Hormone therapy that helps shrink fibroids by stopping estrogen production.

Hyperplasia (hi-per-play-ze-a) - A thickening of uterine tissue

Hysterectomy - Surgical removal of the uterus. Hysterectomy may be performed through and abdominal incision (laparotomy), through the vagina (vaginal hysterectomy), or through laparoscopically-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH). Sometimes the ovaries and fallopian tubes are also removed.

Hysterosalpingography (HSG) - A test in which dye is injected into the uterus and fallopian tubes in order to help visualize them during an x-ray.

Hysteroscope (his-ter-o-scope) - A narrow tube containing a light that is used to look inside the uterus; it is inserted into the uterus through the vagina and cervix.

Hysteroscopic myomectomy - A myomectomy performed through the vagina and cervix using a hysteroscope to aid in viewing the fibroid; requires no incision.

Hysteroscopy (his-ter-ah-sco-py) - A method of examining the inside the uterus using a tiny, thin lighted telescope (hysteroscope), which is inserted into the uterus through the vagina.

Intramural (in-tra-myur-ul) fibroid - most common type of fibroid, it grows within the muscle of the uterus and can cause pressure-type symptoms and, less often, heavy menstrual bleeding.

Laparoscope (lap-ah-ro-scope) - A thin, lighted telescope that is inserted through the navel into the abdomen to examine the internal organs and abdominal cavity. The laparoscope can be used as both a diagnostic tool and during surgery to avoid making a large incision.

Laparoscopic myomectomy - A myomectomy performed though tiny incisions in the abdomen using a laparoscope to aid in viewing the fibroid.

Laparoscopy (lap-ah-ros-ko-pe) - A procedure in which a laparoscope (see above) is inserted through the navel into the abdomen to examine the internal organs and abdominal cavity. Other small incisions may also be made and additional instruments inserted to facilitate diagnosis and allow surgical correction of pelvic abnormalities or removal of organs. The surgeon can sometimes remove scar tissue and open closed fallopian tubes during this procedure.

Laparotomy (lap-ah-rot-o-me) - A surgical incision into a cavity of the abdomen.

Leimyoma - Another word for fibroid.

Menopause - A The final cessation of menstrual periods.

Menorrhagia (men -or-ah-jah), - Heavy or excessive menstrual bleeding.

Myolysis - An experimental procedure that uses lasers, electrical current or freezing to destroy fibroids during a laparoscopy.

Myomectomy - A surgical procedure to remove fibroids from the uterus, leaving the uterus intact.

Myoma - Another word for fibroid.

Ovaries - The two female sex glands in the pelvis, located on each side of the uterus. The ovaries produce eggs and hormones including estrogen, progesterone, and androgens.

Sonohysterogram (so-no-his-toe-gram) - A type of ultrasound scan that is done to examine the inside of the uterus after fluid is injected into the uterus via a thin tube that is inserted through the vagina and cervix.

Submucosal (sub-myou-co-sul) fibroid - A fibroid that grows from just underneath the uterine lining into the uterine cavity. These can cause bleeding, pain or infertility.

Subserosal (sub-sir-oh-sul) fibroid - A fibroid that grows from the uterine lining to the outside of the uterus and can cause pressure on the bladder, bowel and intestine. These fibroids can cause bloating, abdominal pressure, cramping and pelvic pain.

Tumor - A swelling due to abnormal growth of cells.

Ultrasound scan - A procedure that uses sound waves to produce pictures of the uterus, ovaries and pelvis.

Uterine artery embolization - A minimally invasive, still experimental procedure to cause a clot to form in the uterine artery leading to the fibroid, which cuts off its blood supply and causes it to shrink.

Uterus - The womb; where a fetus develops. During pregnancy, the uterus expands. But when a woman is not pregnant, the uterus is small, hollow and shaped like a flattened pear.