Chapter 12 (Vet Tech Med Term)

Spring 2025

Reproductive system

responsible for producing offspring

Theriogenology

Study of producing beasts (animal reproduction)

Theri/o

Combining form for beast

Gen/o

Combining form for producing

-logy

Meaning to study

Genitals/genitalia

Reproductive organs

Genit/o

Combining form for organs of reproduction

Scrotum/scrotal sac

External pouch that encloses and supports the testes; encloses the testes outside the body so that the testes are at a temperature lower than the body temperature for sperm development

Scrot/o

Combining form for scrotum

Perineum

The area between the scrotum and the anus in males

Perine/o

Combining form for perineum

Testes/testicles

Male sex glands that produce spermatozoa

Testis

Single gland

Gonads

Sex glands

Orch/o, orchi/o, orchid/o, test/o, testicul/o

Combining forms for testes

Seminiferous tubules

Coiled tubes in divided compartments of the testes; channels in testes in which sperm are produced and through which sperm leave the testes

Interstitial

Cells between the spaces

Leydig's cells

Interstitial cells of the testes that have endocrine function

Sertoli cells

Specialized cells in the testes that support and nourish sperm growth

Sperm/spermatozoa

Male gametes or sex cells

Spermatozoon

One gamete

Sperm/o and spermat/o

Combining form for sperm

Acrosome

Top of the head of sperm; contains enzymes that allow the spermatozoon to penetrate the ovum

Spermatogenesis

Production of male gametes

Epididymis

The tube at the upper part of each testis that secretes part of the semen stores semen before ejaculation and provides a passageway for sperm; divided into head (Caput), body, and tail portions; runs down the length of the testicle, turns upwards, and be aimed a narrower tube (ductus deferens)

Motile

Capable of spontaneous motion

Ductus deferens

A tube connected to the epididymis that carries sperm into the pelvic region toward the urethra; each is encased by the spermatic cord

Ampulla

Portion of Ductus deferens in swine; enlarged part of tube or canal

Seminal vesicles/vesicular glands

Two glands that open into the ductus deferens where it joins the urethra; thick yellow substance that nourishes sperm and adds volume to the ejaculated sperm

Semen

Ejaculatory fluid that contains sperm and the secretions of the accessory sex glands

Semin/i

Combining form for semen

Ejaculatory duct

Formed by the union of the ductus deferens and the duct from the seminal vesicles; passes through the prostate and enters the urethra

Prostate gland

Single gland that surrounds or is near the urethra and may be well defined or diffuse depending on the species

Prostat/o

Combining form for prostate gland

Bulbourethral glands

Two glands located on either die of the urethra; secrete a thick mucus that acts as a lubricant for sperm (cowpers glands in humans)

Urethra

A tube passing through the penis to the outside of the body; it serves both reproductive and urinary systems

Urethr/o

Combining form for urethra

Penis

Male sex organ that carries reproductive and urinary products out of the body

Glans penis

Distal part of the penis on which the urethra opens

Prepuce/foreskin

The retractable fold of skin covering the glans penis

Os penis

Bone encased in the penile tissue (in dogs)

Pen/i and Priap/o

Combining form for penis

Sigmoid flexure

S-shaped bend in penis (ruminants and swine)

Ovaries

Small pair of organs located in the caudal abdomen; female gonad that produces estrogen, progesterone, and ova/eggs

Graafian follicles

Small sacs in ovaries; each one contains an ovum

Ovari/o, oophor/o

Combining form female gonad

Oo/o, ov/i, and ov/o

combining forms for egg

Oocyte

Egg cell

Uterine tubes/oviducts/fallopian tubes

Paired tubes that extend from the cranial portion of the uterus to the ovary

Salping/o

Combining form for uterine tubes

Infundibulum

Funnel shaped opening at distal end of each uterine tube

Fimbriae

Fringed extensions of infundibulum that catch ova when they leave the ovary

Fertilization

Egg and sperm union (usually in uterine tube)

Uterus

Thick-walled, hollow organ with muscular walls and a mucous membrane lining that houses the developing embryo in pregnant females; dorsal to the urinary bladder and ventral to the secum

Hyster/o, metri/o, uter/o

Combining form for uterus

Cornus

Horn; cranial end of the uterus has 2 horns that travel toward the uterine tubes

Cornu

Horn

Bicornuate

Having two large, well defined uterine horns

Corpus

Body; middle portion of the uterus

Corpu

Body

Cervix

Neck; the caudal portion of the uterus that extends into the vagina (cranial extent of the vagina); contains sphincters-prevents foreign substances from entering the uterus; closed during estrus, relaxes for sperm entry, closed with mucous plug during pregnancy, released near parturition to allow fetal passage

Cervic/o

Combining form for neck or neckline structure

Perimentrium

Membranous outer layer of the uterus

Peri-

Surrounding

Myometrium

Muscular middle layer of the uterus

My/o

Combining form for muscle

Endometrium

Inner layer of the uterus

Endo-

Within

Vagina

Muscular tube lines with mucosa that extends from the cervix to the outside of the body

Colp/o, vagin/o

Combining form for vagina

Hymen

Membranous fold of tissue may partially cover the external vaginal orfice

Orfice

Entrance or outlet from a body cavity

Vulva/pudendum

Female external genitalia/external opening to the urogenital tract and consists of the vaginal orfice, vestibular glands, clitoris, hymen, and urethral orfice

Vulv/o, episi/o

combining forms for vulva

Perineum

Region between the vaginal orfice and anus in females

Labia/lips

Fleshy borders or edges of the vulva

Vaginal orfice

Entrance from the vagina to the outside of the body

vestibular glands[Bartholin's glands (in primates)]

Found in bovine, feline, and occasionally ovine species; secrete mucus to lubricate vagina

Clitoris

Sensitive erectile tissue of females located int he ventral portion of the vulva

Urethral orfice

Found where the vagina and vulva join and is sometimes associated with a vestigial hymen

Mammary glands/mammae

Milk producing glands in females

Species with with 2 mammary glands

Mare, ewe, doe (goat)

Species with 4 mammary glands

Cows

Species with 6 or more pairs mammary glands

Sows (pigs)

Species with 4 or more pairs mammary glands

Bitches (dogs) and queens (cats)

Udder

Mammary glands in large animals; located in the inguinal area; 2 or more functioning teats

Teats

Nipple in large animals

Quarters

Four mammae in cows

Alveoli

Connective and adipose tissue organized into lobes and lobukes that contain milk-secreting sacs in mammary glands

Lactiferous duct

Where each lobe drains toward the teat or papilla

Lact/i

Milk

Lactiferous sinus

Composed of the gland cistern (within the gland) and the teat cistern (within the teat)

Papillary duct/streak canal

Where milk empties after the teat cistern

Estrous/heat cycle

Occurs at the onset of puberty and continues throughout an animals life;the ability to sexually reproduce begins at puberty and varies among species; prepares uterus to accept a fertilized ovum

Ovulation

When Graafian follicle ruptures and ovum is expelled from he ovary into the uterine tube; when animal is in heat/standing heat

Corpus luteum

The yellow ruptured follicle after ovulation;yellow body; secretes progesterone;

Follicular phase

The stage of estrous cycle in which the Graafian follicle is present

Luteal phase

The stage of estrous cycle in which the corpus luteum is present; progesterone is dominant hormone

Proestrus

Period of the estrous cycle before sexual receptivity; involves the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by the anterior pituitary gland, which causes the follicles to develop in the ovary. FSH stimulates ovarian release of estrogen, which helps prepare the reproductive tract for pregnancy

Estrus

Period of the estrous cycle in which the female is receptive to the male; FSH levels decrease and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels increase, causing Graafian follicle to rupture and release its egg (ovulation)