Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology Syllabus

Obstetrics and Gynecology syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Obstetrics and Gynecology in Clinical, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Introduction to Obstetrics and Gynecology

   2 topics

   • History and Evolution
     • Ancient Practices
     • Modern Developments
   • Basic Terminology
     • Obstetrics Terms
     • Gynecology Terms
2. 2

   Anatomy and Physiology

   3 topics

   • Female Reproductive Anatomy
     • External Genitalia
     • Internal Genitalia
   • Menstrual Cycle
     • Phases of Menstrual Cycle
     • Hormonal Regulation
   • Fetal Development
     • Stages of Fetal Growth
     • Placental Function
3. 3

   Prenatal Care

   3 topics

   • Antenatal Visits
     • Schedule of Visits
     • Routine Examinations
   • Screening and Diagnostic Tests
     • Ultrasound
     • Blood Tests
     • Genetic Screening
   • Nutrition and Lifestyle
     • Dietary Recommendations
     • Exercise Guidelines
4. 4

   Labor and Delivery

   3 topics

   • Stages of Labor
     • First Stage
     • Second Stage
     • Third Stage
   • Labor Complications
     • Preterm Labor
     • Breech Presentation
     • Fetal Distress
   • Delivery Methods
     • Vaginal Delivery
     • Cesarean Section
5. 5

   Postpartum Care

   3 topics

   • Immediate Postpartum Period
     • Monitoring and Assessment
     • Common Complications
   • Breastfeeding
     • Lactation Physiology
     • Breastfeeding Techniques
   • Postpartum Depression
     • Signs and Symptoms
     • Management and Treatment
6. 6

   Gynecological Disorders

   4 topics

   • Menstrual Disorders
     • Amenorrhea
     • Dysmenorrhea
     • Menorrhagia
   • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
     • Etiology
     • Clinical Features
     • Management
   • Endometriosis
     • Pathophysiology
     • Diagnosis
     • Treatment Options
   • Ovarian Cysts
     • Types of Ovarian Cysts
     • Symptoms and Diagnosis
     • Management
7. 7

   Gynecological Oncology

   3 topics

   • Cervical Cancer
     • Risk Factors
     • Screening and Prevention
     • Treatment Modalities
   • Ovarian Cancer
     • Clinical Presentation
     • Diagnostic Workup
     • Management Strategies
   • Endometrial Cancer
     • Pathogenesis
     • Clinical Features
     • Treatment Options
8. 8

   Reproductive Endocrinology

   3 topics

   • Infertility
     • Causes of Infertility
     • Diagnostic Evaluation
     • Treatment Approaches
   • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
     • Pathophysiology
     • Clinical Manifestations
     • Management
   • Menopause
     • Physiological Changes
     • Symptoms and Diagnosis
     • Hormone Replacement Therapy
9. 9

   Contraception

   2 topics

   • Types of Contraception
     • Barrier Methods
     • Hormonal Methods
     • Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)
     • Permanent Methods
   • Emergency Contraception
     • Types and Usage
     • Mechanism of Action
     • Efficacy and Safety
10. 10

    Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

    2 topics

    • Common STIs
      • Chlamydia
      • Gonorrhea
      • Syphilis
      • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
      • HIV/AIDS
    • Diagnosis and Management
      • Screening Tests
      • Treatment Protocols
      • Prevention Strategies
11. 11

    Urogynecology

    2 topics

    • Urinary Incontinence
      • Types of Incontinence
      • Diagnostic Evaluation
      • Management Options
    • Pelvic Organ Prolapse
      • Etiology and Risk Factors
      • Clinical Presentation
      • Treatment Approaches

Obstetrics and Gynecology flashcards for Clinical

24 of 53 cards from the Obstetrics and Gynecology deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the origin of the term "obstetrics," and what does the specialty address?

   It derives from the Latin "obstetrix" (midwife), from "obstare" (to stand by). Obstetrics is the branch of medicine dealing with pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

2. Who is credited as the "Father of Modern Gynecology," and why is his legacy controversial?

   J. Marion Sims, for developing surgical repair of vesicovaginal fistula and the Sims speculum. His legacy is controversial because he performed experimental operations on enslaved Black women without anesthesia or consent.

3. Define gravidity and parity.

   Gravidity is the total number of pregnancies a woman has had (regardless of outcome). Parity is the number of pregnancies carried to a viable gestational age (usually $\geq 20$ weeks or $\geq 24$ weeks), delivered live or stillborn.

4. In the GTPAL obstetric shorthand, what does each letter stand for?

   G = Gravidity (total pregnancies), T = Term births ($\geq 37$ weeks), P = Preterm births (20–36 weeks), A = Abortions/miscarriages (<20 weeks), L = Living children.

5. Define the terms nulligravida, primigravida, and multigravida.

   Nulligravida: a woman who has never been pregnant. Primigravida: a woman pregnant for the first time. Multigravida: a woman who has been pregnant two or more times.

6. Name the three layers of the uterine wall from inside to outside.

   Endometrium (inner mucosal lining), myometrium (thick middle smooth muscle layer), and perimetrium (outer serosal layer).

7. What are the four anatomical segments of the fallopian tube from the uterus outward?

   Interstitial (intramural) segment, isthmus, ampulla, and infundibulum (with fimbriae). Fertilization typically occurs in the ampulla.

8. Which ligament contains the ovarian artery, vein, and nerves as they reach the ovary?

   The suspensory ligament of the ovary (infundibulopelvic ligament).

9. What are the three anatomical parts of the uterus?

   The fundus (dome above the tubal openings), the body (corpus), and the cervix (lower narrow portion opening into the vagina).

10. List the four phases of the menstrual (ovarian/uterine) cycle in order.

    Menstrual (menses) phase, follicular (proliferative) phase, ovulation, and luteal (secretory) phase. A typical cycle is about 28 days.

11. What hormonal event triggers ovulation, and roughly when does it occur in a 28-day cycle?

    A surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), stimulated by peak estrogen, triggers ovulation around day 14 (about 24–36 hours after the LH surge begins).

12. Which hormone dominates the luteal phase, and what structure secretes it?

    Progesterone dominates the luteal phase; it is secreted by the corpus luteum, which forms from the ruptured follicle after ovulation.

13. Using Naegele's rule, how is the estimated due date (EDD) calculated from the last menstrual period (LMP)?

    EDD = LMP $-\,3$ months $+\,7$ days $+\,1$ year. This assumes a regular 28-day cycle.

14. What are the three trimesters of pregnancy defined by gestational weeks?

    First trimester: weeks 1–12; second trimester: weeks 13–27; third trimester: weeks 28–40 (through delivery).

15. Distinguish the embryonic period from the fetal period in human development.

    The embryonic period spans weeks 3–8 after fertilization (organogenesis, greatest teratogenic vulnerability). The fetal period runs from week 9 until birth (growth and maturation of organs).

16. At approximately what gestational age does the fetal heartbeat first become detectable by transvaginal ultrasound?

    Around 6 weeks of gestation (about 5.5–6 weeks), when cardiac activity can first be visualized.

17. What is "quickening," and when is it typically first felt?

    Quickening is the mother's first perception of fetal movements, usually felt around 16–20 weeks (earlier in multiparous women, around 16 weeks; later in first pregnancies).

18. What is the generally accepted threshold of fetal viability, and why is it significant?

    About 24 weeks of gestation (some centers 22–23 weeks). It marks the gestational age at which a fetus has a reasonable chance of survival outside the uterus with intensive neonatal care.

19. What is the recommended schedule of routine antenatal visits in a typical low-risk pregnancy?

    Every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks from 28–36 weeks, and weekly from 36 weeks until delivery.

20. Which measurements are routinely recorded at each antenatal visit to monitor progress?

    Maternal blood pressure, weight, urine dipstick (protein/glucose), symphysis-fundal height, and fetal heart rate; fetal presentation is assessed in later visits.

21. After 20 weeks, how does symphysis-fundal height (in cm) relate to gestational age?

    The fundal height in centimeters approximately equals the gestational age in weeks ($\pm 2$ cm), e.g., about 30 cm at 30 weeks.

22. What does the first-trimester combined screening test measure to assess aneuploidy risk?

    Nuchal translucency on ultrasound plus maternal serum beta-hCG and PAPP-A (pregnancy-associated plasma protein A), done at 11–14 weeks.

23. What four analytes are measured in the second-trimester "quad screen"?

    Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta-hCG, unconjugated estriol, and inhibin A.

24. How does non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) work, and what is it used to detect?

    NIPT analyzes cell-free fetal DNA in maternal blood (from about 10 weeks) to screen for common aneuploidies such as trisomy 21, 18, and 13, and fetal sex/Rh status. It is a screening, not diagnostic, test.

See more Obstetrics and Gynecology flashcards →

Planning Obstetrics and Gynecology for Clinical

Obstetrics and Gynecology (Clinical) FAQ