Anatomy and Physiology of the Female and Male Reproductive Systems

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomical structures, physiological processes, dimensions, and homologies of the female and male reproductive systems.

Vulva (Pudenda)

The external generative organs of the female reproductive system extending from the pubis to the perineum that protect the vaginal opening.

Mons Pubis (Mons Veneris / Mount of Venus)

A mound of fatty tissue that forms a cushion over the pubic bone to protect the symphysis pubis; covered with pubic hair in a triangular pattern after puberty.

Labia Majora

Two longitudinal folds of skin that enclose the vulval area, are covered externally with pubic hair, and are embryologically homologous to the male scrotum.

Labia Minora

Two hairless, sensitive folds of tissue situated within and parallel to the labia majora that flare outward when sexually stimulated and fuse inferiorly to form the fourchette.

Clitoris

The principal erogenous organ of females, situated under the upper portion of the labia minora; contains erectile tissue that enlarges during sexual stimulation and is homologous to the penis.

Prepuce (Female)

A hood-like fold of skin situated directly above the clitoris.

Vestibule (Female)

The almond- or boat-shaped area enclosed laterally by the labia minora, extending from the clitoris to the fourchette; perforated by the urethral meatus, vaginal orifice, and Bartholin's gland ducts.

Fourchette

A flat transverse fold of tissue formed in the midline below the vaginal orifice where the posterior tapering of the labia majora and labia minora merge.

Perineum

The skin-covered muscular region situated between the vaginal orifice and the anus that forms the base of the perineal body.

Bartholin's Glands (Major Vestibular Glands)

Paired glands located on each side of the vaginal canal that secrete an alkaline mucoid lubricant during sexual arousal supportive of sperm; susceptible to gonococcus infection.

Skene's Glands (Paraurethral Glands)

Mucus-secreting lubricating glands situated on each side of the female urethra, homologous to the male prostate gland.

Vestibular Bulbs

Dense aggregations of veins situated beneath the mucous membrane on either side of the vestibule, susceptible to trauma and rupture resulting in vulvar hematoma or hemorrhage.

Hymen

A thin fold of vascularized mucous membrane that partially covers the entrance to the vaginal orifice and demarcates external from internal genitalia.

Myrtiform Caruncles

The small, residual tags or remnants of the hymen that remain visible following childbirth.

Vaginal Rugae

Transverse folds of glandular mucous membrane lining the vagina during the reproductive years that allow for expansion; prominent in nulliparas and smoothed in multiparas.

Ovaries

The female primary reproductive organs (ductless glands) measuring approximately $4\,\text{cm} \times 2\,\text{cm} \times 1.5\,\text{cm}$ responsible for oogenesis and sex hormone production.

Ovarian Cortex

The outer functional layer of the ovary containing developing ova and graafian follicles.

Ovarian Medulla

The central vascular core of the ovary composed of loose connective tissue, smooth muscle fibers, nerves, and abundant blood vessels.

Interstitial Portion (Fallopian Tube)

The proximal segment of the fallopian tube embedded within the muscular uterine wall; represents the least common site of ectopic pregnancy.

Isthmus (Fallopian Tube)

The narrow, straight portion of the fallopian tube adjoining the uterus; represents the most common site of ectopic pregnancy.

Ampulla (Fallopian Tube)

The wider, curved lateral portion of the fallopian tube where fertilization of the ovum by sperm normally occurs.

Infundibulum (Fallopian Tube)

The funnel-shaped distal expansion of the fallopian tube opening into the peritoneal cavity near the ovary.

Fimbria

Fringe-like projections at the distal extremity of the infundibulum designed to capture the released ovum from the ovary during ovulation.

Uterus

A hollow, pear-shaped, muscular pelvic organ located between the urinary bladder and rectum designed to house, protect, and expel the products of conception.

Anteflexed Position

The normal uterine orientation where the corpus is bent forward resting over the posterior wall of the urinary bladder.

Cornua

The lateral, horn-like junctions of the superior and lateral margins of the uterus where the fallopian tubes insert.

Fundus (Uterus)

The convex, dome-shaped region of the uterus located superior to the insertions of the fallopian tubes; exhibits the greatest enlargement during gestation.

Isthmus (Uterus)

The slightly constricted junction connecting the uterine corpus to the cervix; thins out to form the lower uterine segment in pregnancy.

Pathologic Retraction Ring

An abnormally exaggerated junction between the upper active and lower passive uterine segments that becomes visible and palpable in cases of obstructed labor.

Endometrium

The specialized mucosal inner lining of the uterine cavity into which the blastocyst implants to form the placenta, and which is cyclically shed during menstruation if fertilization does not occur.

Myometrium

The thick middle layer of interlocking smooth muscle fibers responsible for rhythmic contractions during labor and delivery.

Cardinal Ligaments (Mackenrodt's Ligaments)

Transverse cervical ligaments extending to the lateral pelvic walls that provide primary support against uterine prolapse and encase the uterine vessels and lower ureter.

Round Ligaments (Uterus)

Fibromuscular bands that extend from the uterine cornua through the inguinal canal, stretching painfully in pregnancy and corresponding embryologically to the male gubernaculum testis.

Cervical Os

The central aperture of the uterine cervix, appearing as a small oval opening in nulliparous individuals and changing to a transverse slit after vaginal childbirth.

Levator Ani

The principal paired muscle group of the upper pelvic diaphragm through which the urethra and rectum pass, providing critical support to pelvic viscera.

Scrotum

The external cutaneous sac containing two compartments that suspends and thermoregulates the testes outside the pelvic cavity behind the penis.

Glans Penis

The enlarged, sensitive distal expansion of the corpus spongiosum containing the urethral meatus.

Phimosis

A pathological condition where the prepuce (foreskin) is excessively tight and cannot be retracted proximally over the glans penis.

Corpora Cavernosa

The paired lateral columns of erectile tissue in the penis that fill with blood during sexual arousal to produce penile rigidity.

Corpus Spongiosum

The single midventral column of erectile tissue surrounding the urethra that expands distally to form the glans penis.

Testes

The primary male reproductive organs (gonads) housed in the scrotum responsible for spermatogenesis and the synthesis of testosterone.

Seminiferous Tubules

Intricately coiled tubular structures located within the testicular lobules where spermatogenesis directly occurs.

Epididymis

A comma-shaped, coiled duct resting along the posterior border of each testis that stores immature spermatozoa, promotes sperm maturation, and leads into the vas deferens.

Seminal Vesicles

Paired glandular pouches approximately $5\,\text{cm}$ long lying behind the bladder that produce approximately $60\%$ of seminal fluid, rich in fructose and prostaglandins to promote sperm motility.

Ejaculatory Duct

Short muscular tubes formed by the confluence of the vas deferens and seminal vesicle duct that convey spermatozoa and seminal fluid into the prostatic urethra.

Prostate Gland

A fibromuscular gland surrounding the urethra at the bladder neck producing approximately $30\%$ of semen as a thin, milky, alkaline secretion designed to neutralize urethral acidity.

Bulbourethral Glands (Cowper's Glands)

Two small pea-sized glands located inferior to the prostate that secrete a clear, alkaline pre-ejaculatory fluid accounting for approximately $5\%$ of semen volume.

Vas Deferens (Ductus Deferens)

The thick-walled muscular duct conveying sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct via peristaltic propulsion; surgically severed during vasectomy.

Acini Cells

The specialized milk-secreting epithelial cells arranged in circular clusters within the lobules of the mammary gland.

Areola

The circular, darkly pigmented area of skin surrounding the female nipple.

Thelarche

The initial onset of rapid female breast tissue development mediated by estrogen secretion, occurring around puberty.

Prolactin Reflex (Milk Secretion Reflex)

The anterior pituitary neuroendocrine reflex initiated by post-delivery estrogen withdrawal that stimulates acini cells to synthesize and secrete milk.

Letdown Reflex (Draught Reflex)

An oxytocin-mediated reflex triggered by infant suckling that causes contraction of myoepithelial cells to expel milk into the ducts; highly vulnerable to maternal stress and anxiety.