Reproductive System and Gender Spectrum

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to the reproductive system and concepts of gender and sex spectra.

Gonads

Primary sex organs that produce gametes and secrete sex hormones.

Gametes

Sex cells; in males, they are spermatozoa, and in females, they are ova.

XX

Chromosomal configuration typical of biological females.

XY

Chromosomal configuration typical of biological males.

Testes

Male gonads that produce sperm and androgens.

Ovaries

Female gonads that produce ova and hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

Intersex

Individuals with atypical sexual development, often due to genetic or hormonal variations.

Cisgender

A term for individuals whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.

Transgender

A term for individuals whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth.

Nonbinary

Someone who identifies neither completely as male nor female, may identify with both or fluctuate.

Androgens

Hormones, such as testosterone, that are typically associated with male characteristics.

Oogenesis

The process of egg (ova) development in females, linked to hormonal cycles.

Ectopic Pregnancy

A pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus, often in a fallopian tube, which can be life-threatening.

Menstrual Cycle

The monthly cycle of changes in the female reproductive system involving hormonal regulation.

Luteal Phase

The phase of the menstrual cycle after ovulation, characterized by the presence of the corpus luteum.

Spermatozoa

Mature male gametes or sperm cells.

Menstruation

The shedding of the endometrium when pregnancy does not occur.

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Features that develop during puberty that are not directly involved in reproduction.

Follicle

A structure in the ovaries that contains an immature ovum and releases it during ovulation.

Fertilization

The union of sperm and ovum to form a zygote.

Corpus Luteum

A hormone-secreting structure that develops after ovulation and is crucial for maintaining early pregnancy.

Vas Deferens

A duct that transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.

epididymus

•Maturation site for sperm; propelled into vas deferens

ejactulatory duct

•(vas deferens + seminal vesicle)

•Sperm empties here as it merges with urethra

Seminal Vesicles

•Produce yellowish seminal fluid to protect sperm, enhance sperm motility, & coagulate semen post-ejaculation

  (60% of ejaculate)

prostate gland

•(inferior to bladder)

•Produces prostate gland secretion

  (35% of ejaculate)

bulbourethral gland

•Produce thick milky lubricating fluid that is released into penile urethra to aid the motility/viability of sperm

scrotum

dartos muscle and cremaster muscle

dartos

(smooth) wrinkles skin of scrotum

cremaster

skeletal) contracts or relaxes in response to stimuli

erectile tissue

•Corpus spongiosum & corpus cavernosa

prepuce

•Corpus spongiosum & corpus cavernosa

Seminiferous tubules

produces male sperm

fallopian tubes

•Pair of ducts

•Transport ova from ovaries to uterus

3 regions of fallopian tubes

•Isthmus

•Ampulla

•Infundibulum

•Infundibulum

•Funnel-shaped distal end of oviduct

fimbriae

•Finger-like projections

•Catch ova to propel through oviduct

ectopic pregnancies

~1% of live births

Can be life-threatening; not typically viable

fundus

•Superior, dome-shaped part of uterus

body

•Central portion; interior is called uterine cavity

cervix

•Inferior narrow portion

•Opens into vagina via the external os or ostium

uterus is site of

Menstruation

- Implantation of fertilized ovum

- Development of fetus

endometrium

(innermost layer)

- sheds during menstruation

myometrium

(muscular layer)

perimetrium

 (visceral peritoneum)

suspensory ligaments

•Anchor ovaries to body wall

broad ligament

•Anchors uterus to pelvic cavity on both sides

ovarian ligament

•Anchor ovaries to uterus

mons pubis

•Layer of fat over the pubic symphysis

labia majora

Two external folds of skin homologous

labia minora

•Medial to the labia majora

clitoris

•Mass of erectile tissue analogous to penis

Located @ anterior junction of labia minora

vestibule

•Cleft between labia minora