p.Reproductive System

The system in the body responsible for producing offspring and propagating the species.

Reproductive System

Referring to organisms, such as humans, that have separate sexes.

Dieocious

The primary reproductive organ in males, responsible for producing sperm.

Testes

Tubes within the testes where spermatogenesis, the formation and maturation of sperm cells, occurs.

Seminiferous Tubules

Cells within the seminiferous tubules that protect germ cells and promote their development.

Sertoli Cells

A hormone secreted by interstitial cells in the testes, responsible for the development and maintenance of secondary sexual characteristics in males.

Testosterone

A coiled tube located outside the testes where sperm mature and are stored until ejaculation.

Epididymis

A long muscular tube that carries sperm from the epididymis to the pelvic cavity.

Vas Deferens

A short duct formed by the union of the vas deferens and the ducts from the seminal vesicles, which passes through the prostate gland and joins the urethra.

Ejaculatory Duct

The tube that carries urine and semen out of the body through the penis in males.

Urethra

Paired glands located dorsal to the bladder that secrete a fluid rich in fructose, prostaglandins, and other nutrients that make up a significant portion of semen.

Seminal Vesicles

A single gland located inferior to the bladder that secretes a thin, milky fluid that contains citric acid, calcium, and various enzymes, which constitutes a portion of semen.

Prostate Gland

Paired glands located below the prostate that produce a clear, slippery fluid that lubricates the head of the penis and helps neutralize the acidity of residual urine in the urethra during arousal.

Bulbourethral Glands

The primary reproductive organs in females, responsible for producing eggs and secreting hormones.

Ovaries

The muscular canal that connects the uterus to the external opening of the female reproductive system.

Vagina

Structures within the ovaries that contain partially developed egg cells.

Follicles

The process of maturing immature egg cells in the ovary into ova ready for fertilization.

Oogenesis

A muscular organ in the female reproductive system that receives the fertilized egg and supports the development of the embryo and fetus.

Uterus

Male reproductive organs that produce sperm and hormones.

Testes

The main male hormone responsible for sperm production and the development of secondary sexual characteristics.

Testosterone

The process of sperm production in the testes.

Spermatogenesis

Tubules in the testes where spermatozoa are produced.

Seminiferous tubules

A thin lysosome that caps the head of a spermatozoa and contains enzymes used to penetrate the egg.

Acrosome

The inability to conceive a child.

Infertility

A period of physical and psychological change in males due to declining levels of sex hormones.

Climacteric

Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, hormones secreted by the pituitary gland that play a role in the reproductive system.

FSH & LH

Female sex hormone that prepares the uterus for pregnancy and lactation.

Progesterone

Structure in the ovary that contains an immature egg cell.

Follicle

Structure formed from the collapsed follicle after ovulation, which secretes progesterone.

Corpus luteum

The phase of the menstrual cycle where a follicle matures and secretes estrogen.

Follicular phase

The phase of the menstrual cycle where ovulation occurs and a mature egg is released from the ovary.

Ovulatory phase

The phase of the menstrual cycle where the uterine endometrium is shed, typically lasting around 5-6 days.

Menstruation

A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates lactation.

Prolactin

The cessation of menstruation and the end of fertility, usually occurring between ages 45 and 55.

Menopause

Oral contraceptive method that contains hormones (estrogen and progestin) to prevent ovulation and pregnancy.

Birth Control Pills

Emergency contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex.

Morning After Pill (RU-486)

Surgical procedure for female sterilization, such as tubal ligation, to prevent pregnancy.

Female Sterilization

The process of cell division that produces sex cells (eggs and sperm) with half the number of chromosomes.

Meiosis

The process of sperm cell formation, where four functional sperm cells are produced from each primary spermatocyte.

Spermatogenesis

The process of egg cell formation, where one functional egg cell and three nonfunctional "polar bodies" are produced.

Oogenesis

The second most common cancer in men, affecting around 9% of men over 50 years old.

Prostate Cancer

Pollutants that mimic estrogen and can have negative effects on the male reproductive system.

Endocrine disruptors

Testicular cancer

The rate of testicular cancer has tripled in the last 50 years, possibly due to exposure to endocrine disruptors.

Sperm count

There has been a sharp drop (19%) in sperm