Reproductive Systems and Related Disorders

These flashcards cover the anatomy, physiological functions, and pathological disorders of the male and female reproductive systems based on the lecture notes.

Parturition

The clinical term for the process of childbirth.

Vulva

The collective term for the female external genitalia, consisting of the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vaginal orifice, external urethral orifice, and vestibular (Bartholin's) glands.

Labia Majora

Two folds of skin, fibrous tissue, and fat containing large numbers of sebaceous and eccrine sweat glands that form the longitudinal boundaries of the vulva.

Lactobacillus acidophilus

Bacteria that secrete lactic acid to maintain a vaginal pH level between $3.5$ and $4.9$, inhibiting the growth of other microorganisms.

Endometrium

The inner lining of the uterus, supplied by spiral arteries, consisting of a functional layer (shed during menstruation) and a basal layer (which regenerates the functional layer).

Perimetrium

The outer layer of the uterus that folds anteriorly to form the vesicouterine pouch and posteriorly to form the rectouterine pouch of Douglas.

Myometrium

The thickest layer of the uterine wall, composed of smooth muscle fibres interlaced with areolar tissue, blood vessels, and nerves.

Corpus Luteum

Meaning "yellow body," this structure develops from a ruptured follicle after ovulation and produces progesterone, oestrogen, and inhibin.

Menarche

The first occurrence of menstruation, marking the start of the child-bearing period, usually occurring between the ages of $12$ and $14$.

Proliferative Phase

A phase in the menstrual cycle where FSH stimulates an ovarian follicle to mature and produce oestrogen, which thickens the functional layer of the endometrium.

Secretory Phase

The phase following ovulation where LH stimulates the corpus luteum to produce progesterone, causing the endometrium to become oedematous and produce watery mucus.

Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG)

A hormone produced by a fertilized ovum (zygote) that keeps the corpus luteum intact to continue secreting progesterone and oestrogen during the first $3-4$ months of pregnancy.

Menopause (Climacteric)

The cessation of ovarian function and the menstrual cycle, marking the end of the child-bearing period, typically occurring between ages $45$ and $55$.

Cooper's Ligaments

Suspensory ligaments that attach the breast tissue to the underlying pectoralis major muscle.

Alveoli

Small, grape-like structures within the breast lobules responsible for milk production.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

An upward-spreading infection (often from STIs) from the vagina to the uterus, uterine tubes, and ovaries, which can lead to infertility or peritonitis.

Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN)

Dysplastic changes in the deepest layer of the cervical epithelium that may precede malignant disease.

Endometriosis

The growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, commonly in the ovaries or uterine tubes, which can cause inflammation and pelvic adhesions.

Leiomyoma (Fibroid)

A common benign encapsulated tumour of the myometrium, appearing as firm masses of compressed smooth muscle fibres.

Ectopic Pregnancy

The implantation of a fertilized ovum outside the uterine cavity, most commonly in the uterine tube, which can lead to tubal rupture and hemorrhage.

Mastitis

Inflammation of the breast, often associated with lactation and milk stasis, which may involve infection by Staphylococcus aureus.

Interstitial cells (of Leydig)

Cells located between the seminiferous tubules in the testes that secrete the hormone testosterone after puberty.

Seminal Vesicles

Two small fibromuscular pouches that secrete an alkaline fluid containing fructose, making up $60\%$ of semen volume.

Prostate Gland

A gland surrounding the male urethra that secretes a thin, milky fluid which makes up about $20\%$ of semen volume.

Cryptorchidism

A condition in which the testes fail to descend from the abdominal cavity into the scrotum prior to birth.

Gynaecomastia

The proliferation of breast tissue in males, associated with endocrine disorders, high oestrogen levels, or certain drugs.

Chlamydia trachomatis

The microbe causing chlamydia, which can lead to PID and urethritis, and is also the organism responsible for trachoma, a major cause of blindness.

Syphilis

A disease caused by Treponema pallidum featuring three stages: primary (chancre), secondary (skin rashes/papules), and tertiary (gummas).

Reverse Transcriptase

An enzyme produced by HIV that transforms viral RNA into DNA (provirus) inside the host cell.

Kaposi's Sarcoma

A malignant tumour of the skin and internal organs that is often associated with the later stages of AIDS.