Gynaecology
This article describes the specialty of gynecologist (gynecologist). For the journal see Der Gynäkologe, for the rapper see Frauenarzt (rapper).
Gynaecology (from the ancient Greek γυνή gyné, Gen. γυναικός gynaikós, "woman" and -logy, "doctrine, science"), or gynaecology, is the study of the development, detection, treatment and prevention of diseases, especially of the female sexual and reproductive tract.
The term was introduced into German literature in the 18th century and into German-language literature in the 19th century.
The corresponding specialty for male patients is andrology, partly urology. However, urologists also deal with female patients when it comes to diseases of the kidneys, bladder and urethra, and gynecologists with male patients when it comes to diseases of the mammary gland tissue.
In a narrower sense, gynaecology deals with the diseases of non-pregnant women, in contrast to its sub-specialty, obstetrics. Gynaecology (in its broader sense also referred to as gynaecology) is one of about 30 sub-specialties of human medicine. In Germany, specialist training always takes place together with obstetrics.
The tasks of gynaecology also include the treatment of diseases of the female breast and the corresponding preventive examinations (preventive medicine; see also mammography).
Examination methods in gynecology
The most important examination methods used in gynaecology are ultrasound (see sonography) for imaging the internal organs (especially the uterus), as well as palpation (ovaries) and visual examination using a speculum to examine the vagina and cervix, whereby tissue samples and cells can be taken from the mucosal surface (smear) for examination.
For examinations and treatments in the area of the abdomen, the patient is usually placed on a gynaecological chair so that the genital organs are easily accessible. Incidentally, microscopy should also be mentioned as an important tool: for example, to detect a fungal infection of the vagina (candidamycosis).
Gynaecological examination 1822
Treatment spectrum in gynecology
Gynecology is one of the surgical specialties in medicine. Some classic procedures: Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), tubal ligation (ligation of the fallopian tubes for sterilization), laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy (removal of ovarian cysts using keyhole surgery through the abdominal wall). However, gynaecology also includes a wide range of conservative treatment procedures, such as hormone therapy, counselling and implementation of contraceptive measures and treatment of couples in cases of involuntary childlessness.
