Procedures and Diagnostic Tests Related to the Female Reproductive System

- Procedures and Diagnostic Tests Related to the Female Reproductive System (continued) Procedure/Test Description Laparotnmy Surgical incision through the abdominal wall to gain access into the abdominal cavity. Mammography X-ray imaging of the breast. This procedure is able to locate breast tumors before they grow to 1 cm. It is the most effective means of detecting early breast cancers. Unphorectomy Surgical removal of an ovary. (Ovary removal is sometimes called female castration.) Panhysterectomy Excision of the entire uterus, including the cervix. Panhysternsalpingo- Surgical removal of the entire uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Also called a total anhorectomy hysterectomy. Pap (Papanicolaou) Test for the early detection of cancer of the cervix named after the developer of the test, George Test Papanicolaou. A scraping of cells is removed from the cervix for examination under the microscope. Pelvic Examination Physical examination of the vagina and adjacent organs performed by a physician. A visual examina- tion is performed using a speculum. A manual exam is performed by the doctor placing two gloved fingers of one hand in the vagina while the other hand presses gently on the abdomen. Pelvic Ultrasonography Use of ultrasound waves to produce an image or photograph of an organ or the fetus.