Crash Course: Female Reproductive Anatomy and the Menstrual Cycle (Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts and terms from the female reproductive anatomy and menstrual cycle as presented in the Crash Course lecture.

Gonads

The primary internal sex organs that produce gametes and sex hormones; in females, the ovaries.

Ovary

The female gonad that makes eggs (oocytes) and secretes estrogen and progesterone.

Gametes

Haploid reproductive cells; in humans, sperm and eggs.

Primary oocyte

An immature egg arrested in meiosis I within a developing ovarian follicle.

Oogenesis

The process of forming female gametes (eggs) through meiosis.

Ovarian follicle

A sac in the ovary containing a developing oocyte and surrounding cells; produces estrogen.

Primordial follicle

The earliest form of ovarian follicle present at birth, containing an immature oocyte.

Atresia

Programmed destruction of follicles that do not mature.

Corpus luteum

A temporary gland formed after ovulation from the ruptured follicle; secretes progesterone, estrogen, and inhibin.

Estrogen

A class of female sex hormones produced by the follicle that promotes oocyte maturation and endometrial growth.

Progesterone

A hormone produced by the corpus luteum that prepares and maintains the uterine lining for implantation.

Inhibin

Hormone that inhibits FSH production, helping regulate the cycle.

FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone)

Pituitary hormone that stimulates follicle growth and estrogen production.

LH (Luteinizing hormone)

Pituitary hormone that triggers ovulation and corpus luteum formation.

GnRH (Gonadotropin-releasing hormone)

Hypothalamic hormone that stimulates the pituitary to release FSH and LH.

Menstrual cycle

Monthly series of hormonal changes in the uterus and ovaries, including menstruation.

Ovarian cycle

Cycle of follicle maturation and ovulation driven by ovarian hormones.

Endometrium

Inner mucosal lining of the uterus that thickens and is shed if implantation doesn’t occur.

Myometrium

Thick, muscular middle layer of the uterus that contracts during labor.

Fallopian tube (oviduct)

Tube that transports the egg from the ovary; site of fertilization in many cases.

Uterus

Hollow muscular organ where implantation and embryonic development occur.

Vagina

Muscular canal that receives the penis, serves as birth canal, and allows menstrual flow.

Vulva

External female genitalia including mons pubis, labia majora/minora, and the vestibule.

Vestibule

Space inside the labia minora containing the urethral and vaginal openings.

Ovulation

Release of a mature oocyte from the ovary into the fallopian tube.