| Gynaecology is the medical specialty
concerned with the female reproductive system, the female genital tract,
and their various functions and disorders (incl. for exaple, cystitis,
cervical cancer, thrush, etc.).
Compare gynaecology with the related area of obstetrics.
In
many respects these specialties
overlap.
As a general guide, during pregnancy "gynaecology"
has been considered to be replaced by "obstetrics" at 28
weeks
gestation.
However, this is a distinction for convenience of definition
as there is no practical differentiation of one to the other.
(There is a suggestion that the cut-off point between these two specialties
should
occur at
the time from which an abortion would be illegal - but obviously this
varies between jurisdictions and would therefore be a legal,
rather than a medical, distinction.)
Associated Terms:
* _ A medical specialist
in the field of gynaecology is called a gynaecologist.
* _ The adjective used
to refer to gynaecology is
"gynaecological".
Links to other relevant areas on this website include:
* _ Glossary Section for
General
Medical Terms.
This part of the IvyRose Holistic Resources Glossary is included as a
study-aid for students following first-level courses in human biology,
medicine, nursing, natural or holistic therapies, and associated theoretical
courses - who are required recognise and understand medical terms such
as those of the disciplines within medicine. |
