The Pubescent Period and Human Reproductive Systems

These vocabulary flashcards cover the male and female reproductive systems, hormonal regulation, the processes of gametogenesis, and the physiological changes associated with puberty and the menstrual cycle based on the lecture notes.

Gametogenesis

The production of gametes, specifically the egg cell in females (Oogenesis) and the sperm cell in males (Spermatogenesis).

Fertilization

The process where the reproductive system enhances the meeting of the Oocyte by the sperm, with the duct system nourishing sperm and the female system transporting them to the site.

Penis

The male copulatory organ designed to deliver sperm, conveying both urine and seminal fluid; it consists of a shaft, glans penis, and prepuce.

Scrotum

A divided sack of skin derived from a term meaning 'pouch' that hangs outside the abdominal cavity to maintain a constant temperature for spermatogenesis.

Dartos Muscle

A muscle that protects the testes from cold by contracting the skin of the scrotum.

Cremaster Muscle

A muscle that protects the testes from cold by pulling the testes nearer to the body.

Testes

The primary male gonads that have exocrine functions (producing sperm) and endocrine functions (producing testosterone).

Tunica Albuginea

The fibrous connective white tissue that covers the testes.

Seminiferous Tubules

Tightly coiled structures within the testicular lobules considered the 'sperm forming factories.'

Sertoli Cells

Also known as Sustentacular Cells, these are found in the seminiferous tubules and are responsible for nourishing the germ cells.

Leydig Cells

Interstitial cells lying in the soft connective tissue surrounding the seminiferous tubules that secrete androgens, specifically testosterone.

Epididymis

A highly coiled tube approximately $6,m$ or $20,ft$ long that serves as the site of sperm maturation and temporary storage.

Ductus Deferens

Also known as the Vas Deferens, it is enclosed by a spermatic cord and functions to propel live sperm to the ampulla.

Seminal Vesicles

Accessory glands that connect to the ejaculatory duct and secrete a thick, viscous, alkaline fluid containing nutrients like fructose and prostaglandins.

Prostate Gland

A gland that secretes a thin, milky alkaline solution to enhance sperm motility and contributes approximately $60\%$ of the seminal fluid.

Bulbourethral Gland

Also known as Cowper's Gland, it secretes an alkaline mucus-like fluid to lubricate the urethra and neutralize acidic urine residue.

Semen

A transport medium with a $pH$ of $7.2-7.6$ composed of sperm cells and secretions from accessory glands.

Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone (ICSH)

Another name for Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in males, due to its role in stimulating the interstitial cells to synthesize testosterone.

Inhibin

A regulatory hormone produced by the testes that inhibits the release of FSH to regulate sperm production.

Relaxin

In males, a hormone produced by the prostate gland that increases sperm motility.

Spermatogenesis

The formation of sperm cells from primitive germ cells called spermatogonia, occurring continuously from puberty until the end of life.

Spermiogenesis

The last process of sperm maturation in the epididymis where excess cytoplasm is shed and the sperm is compacted into a head, midpiece, and tail.

Capacitation

The process by which mature spermatozoa acquire the ability to fertilize an egg after reaching the woman's uterus.

Vulva

The collective term for the female external genitalia.

Mons Pubis

The fatty rounded area overlying the pubic symphysis which is covered with pubic hair after puberty.

Vestibular Glands

Glands that secrete fluid to moisten and lubricate the vaginal vestibule and opening during sexual arousal.

Ovaries

The primary female gonads that produce exocrine products (oocyte) and endocrine products (estrogen and progesterone).

Graafian Follicle

A mature, fluid-filled ovarian follicle that contains a mature ovum before ovulation.

Corpus Luteum

The structure formed from a ruptured follicle after ovulation that is responsible for progesterone secretion.

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections at the end of the fallopian tube that catch the ova released during ovulation.

Ampulla

The section of the fallopian tube that is the most frequent site of fertilization.

Endometrium

The innermost, most vascular layer of the uterus where implantation occurs and which sloughs off during menstruation.

Hymen

A thin and highly vascular fold partially covering the vaginal opening.

Acinar Cells

Exocrine cells within the mammary glands that produce milk.

Let-down reflex

The release of milk from the breast caused by the hormone oxytocin in response to nipple stimulation.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

A hormone produced by the placenta that maintains the corpus luteum and increases progesterone secretion during the first trimester.

Decidua

The thick layer of modified mucous membrane that lines the uterus during pregnancy.

Chorionic Villi

Structures that reach out from the trophoblast cells into the endometrium to begin the formation of the placenta.

Puberty

The stage of life involving physical, hormonal, and sexual changes triggered by the hypothalamus releasing GnRH.

Primary Sex Characteristics

Physical changes directly related to the organs of reproduction, such as the enlargement of the penis or uterus.

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Physiological signs of sexual maturation that do not involve the sex organs, such as breast development or voice changes.

Adrenarche

The onset of androgen-dependent body changes, including the growth spurt and appearance of body hair.

Spermarche

The onset of spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis in males, which may lead to nocturnal emissions.

Thelarche

The onset of female breast development, usually occurring $1-2$ years before the beginning of menstruation.

Menarche

The term describing the onset of menstruation, typically happening around $12.4$ years of age.

Gynecomastia

A temporary slight enlargement of the breast in males during puberty due to hormonal imbalance.

Tanner Stages

A scale used to measure the stages of pubertal development in males and females.

Proliferative Phase

The phase of the menstrual cycle (days $6-14$) where the endometrium thickens and becomes more vascular under the influence of estrogen.

Secretory Phase

The phase (days $15-28$) where the endometrium becomes thick and corkscrew-like in preparation for implantation.

Ischemic Phase

The last $2$ days of the menstrual cycle characterized by the constriction of arteries and shrinking of the lining before menses.

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation, often characterized by spasmodic or congestive cramping.

Amenorrhea

The medical term for the absence of menstruation.

Metrorrhagia

Uterine bleeding that occurs at irregular intervals between menstrual cycles.

Mittelschmerz

Sharp, sudden abdominal pain associated with the stretching of the ovary during ovulation.

Spinnbarkeit

The elasticity of ovulating cervical mucus, which becomes watery and stretchy during the most fertile period.

Meiosis

A type of cell division occurring in the gonads where one cell undergoes two divisions to produce four daughter cells with half the original chromosomes.