Uterosalpingography

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. This diagnostic imaging method involves X-ray visualization of the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes through the use of contrast dye to detect potential issues
2. An investigative technique that uses radiographic imaging and a contrast agent to assess the anatomy of the uterus and fallopian tubes for any irregularities or obstructions
3. A medical imaging procedure employing X-ray and a contrast material to evaluate the internal structure of the uterus and fallopian tubes for abnormalities or blockages

Etymology: Uterosalpingography is a modern medical coinage, built entirely from Greek and Latin parts: "uter" (Latin for womb), "salpinx" (Greek for trumpet, the name given to the fallopian tubes), and "graphy" (from Greek "graphein", to write or record). Taken together, the name describes a procedure that writes a picture of the womb and its tubes. The technique it names relies on contrast material injected through the cervix so that the uterine cavity and tubes show clearly on an X-ray. Because the tubes are narrow and sit deep in the pelvis, they are invisible on a plain film, and the dye is what turns them into visible outlines. Doctors use the images to check for blockages, scarring, or unusual shapes that might explain difficulty conceiving. The word belongs to the same family as "hysterosalpingography", which uses "hystera", the Greek word for womb, in place of the Latin "uter". Both forms exist because medical terms were often coined in either Greek or Latin, and physicians used whichever root they preferred.

Synonyms: medical imaging, diagnostic imaging, X-ray procedure, hysterosalpingography, infertility test