The Urinary and Reproductive Systems

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in the urinary and reproductive systems.

Kidneys

Organs that excrete nitrogenous waste, regulate blood volume and chemical composition, stabilize pH, regulate blood pressure, and activate Vitamin D.

Ureters

Slender tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

Bladder

Collapsible muscular sac that temporarily stores urine.

Urethra

Thin-walled tube that carries urine from the bladder to the external environment.

Renal fascia

Superficial layer of dense connective tissue that anchors the kidneys.

Adipose capsule

Intermediate layer of fat that cushions and holds the kidneys in place.

Renal capsule

Transparent layer of fibrous connective tissue adhering directly to the kidney surface.

Cortex

Outer region of the kidney with a light granular appearance.

Medulla

Deep part of the kidney that contains medullary pyramids.

Renal pelvis

Flat funnel-shaped cavity that collects urine from the calyces.

Nephron

Structural and functional unit of the kidneys responsible for blood filtration and urine formation.

Glomerulus

Knot of fenestrated capillaries involved in filtration of blood.

Bowman's capsule

Double-layered epithelial cup surrounding the glomerulus.

Proximal convoluted tubule

First part of the renal tubule that reabsorbs substances from the filtrate.

Loop of Henle

Hairpin loop with descending and ascending limbs, involved in concentration of urine.

Distal convoluted tubule

Tightly coiled tube where secretion occurs and further ion balance is managed.

Collecting duct

Tubule that receives filtrate from several nephrons and facilitates water reabsorption.

Afferent arterioles

Blood vessels that supply blood to the glomerulus.

Efferent arterioles

Blood vessels that drain blood from the glomerulus.

Peritubular capillaries

Capillary networks that surround the tubular portions of the nephron in the cortex.

Vasa recta

Capillaries surrounding the nephron loops in the medulla.

Juxtaglomerular apparatus

Region that regulates the rate of filtration and blood pressure in the nephron.

Juxtaglomerular cells

Smooth muscle cells that monitor blood pressure and secrete renin.

Macula densa

Cuboidal cells that monitor solute concentration of filtrate in the distal convoluted tubule.

Cortical nephron

Nephrons primarily located in the cortex with short loops.

Juxtamedullary nephron

Nephrons with glomeruli deep in the cortex and long loops that extend into the medulla.

Urinary system functions

Excretes waste, regulates fluid and electrolyte balance, stabilizes pH, and controls blood pressure.

Erythropoietin

Hormone released by kidneys that regulates red blood cell production.

Renin

Enzyme released by kidneys that triggers aldosterone release to regulate blood pressure.

Vitamin D activation

Process initiated by the kidneys to help maintain calcium balance.

Trigone

Smooth triangular region of the bladder defined by ureter and urethra openings.

Detrusor muscle

Three layers of smooth muscle in the bladder, responsible for expelling urine.

Urinary pathway

Route urine takes from the kidneys through ureters to the bladder and out via the urethra.

Seminiferous tubules

Structures in the testes where spermatogenesis occurs.

Spermatogenesis

The process of producing haploid sperm through meiosis.

Oogenesis

The process of producing haploid ova (egg cells).

Ovaries

Female reproductive organs responsible for producing ova and hormones.

Testes

Male reproductive organs responsible for producing sperm and testosterone.

Vas deferens

Tube that transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.

Epididymis

Coiled tube that stores and matures sperm.

Urethra (male)

Common path for semen and urine extending from the prostate to the end of the penis.

Semen

Fluid that contains sperm and various secretions from the male reproductive tract.

Seminal vesicles

Glands that produce a significant portion of the fluid in semen.

Prostate gland

Gland that produces fluids contributing to semen and surrounds the prostatic urethra.

Bulbourethral gland

Glands that secrete a fluid into the penile urethra; contributes to lubrication.

Clitoris

Female erectile tissue located anterior to the urethra.

Labia majora

Outer folds of skin that form a protective covering of the female genitalia.

Labia minora

Inner folds of skin that enclose the vestibule of the female reproductive system.

Uterus

Muscular organ that houses and nourishes the zygote and developing fetus.

Cervix

Narrow base of the uterus that opens into the vaginal canal.

Endometrium

Inner lining of the uterus that is shed during menstruation.

Myometrium

Middle muscular layer of the uterus involved in labor contractions.

Perimetrium

Outermost serous layer of the uterus, composed of peritoneum.

Menstrual cycle phases

Consists of the menstrual phase, proliferative phase, and secretory phase.

Corpus luteum

Structure that forms from a ruptured follicle and produces hormones to maintain pregnancy.

Fertilization

Process of sperm meeting and penetrating an ovum, typically occurs in the uterine tube.

Fimbriae

Fingerlike projections on the uterine tube that help guide the ovum into the tube.

Ovarian ligaments

Connective tissue that anchors ovaries to the uterus.

Suspensory ligaments

Connective tissue that anchors ovaries to the pelvic wall.

Infundibulum

Funnel-shaped end of the uterine tube that captures the ovulated egg.

Antrum

Central chamber within a tertiary follicle filled with fluid that supports the oocyte.

Primary follicle

Ovary structures containing primary oocytes that develop into secondary follicles.

Secondary follicle

Follicles enlarging and accumulating fluid; contain secondary oocytes.

Graafian follicle

Mature ovarian follicle that releases an egg during ovulation.

Menstruation

Shedding of the endometrial lining when fertilization does not occur.

Hormonal cycle

Changes in hormone levels (like estrogen and progesterone) that regulate menstruation and ovulation.

Vagina

Muscular tube extending from the cervix to the vaginal opening.

Vestibule

Area containing the external openings of the urethra and vagina in females.

Scrotum

Sac that contains and regulates the temperature of the testes.

Dartos muscle

Smooth muscle in the scrotum that helps regulate temperature.

Cremaster muscle

Skeletal muscle that elevates the testes to control temperature.

Pampiniform plexus

Venous network that helps cool the blood in the testicular artery.

Sertoli cells

Cells within seminiferous tubules that nourish developing sperm.

Interstitial (Leydig) cells

Hormone-producing cells in the testes that produce testosterone.

Glans penis

Expanded distal end of the penis containing the urethral orifice.

Corpus spongiosum

Cylindrical tissue that surrounds the penile urethra.

Corpora cavernosa

Cylindrical tissues of the penis that contain erectile tissue.