Glossary of Terms

• biopsy
  small specimen of tissue taken for examination
  
• cervix
  opening of the uterus (womb) that leads into the vagina
  
• chemotherapy
  treatment of infections, cancer, and other diseases with chemical agents
  
• CIN
  cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, a system of classifying cervical lesions: CIN 1 (mild), CIN 2 (moderate), CIN 3 (severe)
• colposcope
  microscope used to examine the surfaces of the vagina and cervix
• colposcopy
  examination using a microscope that provides a magnified image of the vagina and cervix
• condylomata acuminatum
  genital warts
  
• cryotherapy
  freezing with liquid nitrogen
• electrosurgery
  killing cells by passing an electric current through them
  
• epithelial cells
  specialized skin cells; they cover our bodies and line the digestive and reproductive tracts
  
• genitals (a.k.a. genitalia)
  sex organs of females and males; external genitals include the clitoris and vulva in females, scrotum and penis in males
  
• HIV
  human immunodeficiency virus; causes AIDS
  
• HPV
  human papillomavirus; causes genital warts,
  cervical and other cancers
  
• laser surgery
  killing cells by superheating and vaporizing them
  
• LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure)
  removal of tissue using a hot wire loop
  
• lesion
  any physical abnormality or injury
  
• Pap (Papanicolaou) test
  process in which a sample of cells is gently scraped from the surface of the cervix, is smeared on a slide, and is then examined for cellular abnormalities
  
• papilloma
  a variety of wart consisting of a small growth of skin and mucous membranes on a fibrous stalk
  
• radiation therapy
  treatment of cancer with x-rays and gamma rays