Reproductive Systems – Chapter 23 Vocabulary

A set of 59 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, structures, hormones, processes, and conditions of the male and female reproductive systems, as well as sexually transmitted diseases, from Chapter 23 lecture notes.

Sexual reproduction

Process involving two parents whose gametes fuse to form a genetically unique zygote.

Gamete

A sex cell (sperm or ovum) that carries half the usual chromosome number and unites at fertilization.

Sperm

Male gamete that delivers paternal genetic material to the ovum.

Ovum

Female gamete that, when fertilized by sperm, forms a zygote.

Zygote

First cell of the offspring created by fusion of sperm and ovum.

Puberty

Life stage when reproductive capability and secondary sexual characteristics develop.

Gonads

Primary sex organs (testes in males, ovaries in females) that produce gametes and hormones.

Testes

Male gonads located in the scrotum; produce sperm and testosterone.

Seminiferous tubule

Coiled structure within testes where spermatogenesis occurs.

Interstitial cells (Leydig cells)

Cells between seminiferous tubules that secrete testosterone.

Spermatogenesis

Meiotic process in testes that forms mature spermatozoa from spermatogonia.

Spermatogonium

Diploid stem cell in testes that begins spermatogenesis.

Primary spermatocyte

Cell produced from a spermatogonium that enters meiosis I.

Secondary spermatocyte

Haploid cell produced after meiosis I; enters meiosis II.

Spermatid

Haploid cell formed after meiosis II that matures into a spermatozoon.

Spermatozoon

Fully mature motile sperm cell capable of fertilizing an ovum.

Acrosome

Enzyme-filled cap on the sperm head that aids penetration of the ovum.

Epididymis

Coiled duct on testis surface where sperm mature and gain motility.

Vas deferens

Muscular tube transporting sperm from epididymis through the inguinal canal to the ejaculatory duct.

Ejaculatory duct

Short duct formed by vas deferens and seminal vesicle duct; empties into urethra.

Seminal vesicle

Paired pouchlike gland producing fructose-rich fluid comprising ~60 % of semen volume.

Prostate gland

Donut-shaped gland below bladder adding thin, milky fluid that activates sperm.

Bulbourethral (Cowper) gland

Pea-sized gland secreting mucus-like fluid that lubricates urethra before ejaculation.

Semen

Mixture of sperm and secretions from accessory glands; about 3–5 mL per ejaculation.

Testosterone

Principal male sex hormone that masculinizes, supports spermatogenesis, and promotes muscle protein synthesis.

Scrotum

Skin-covered pouch housing testes; provides cooler temperature for sperm production.

Corpora cavernosa

Pair of dorsal erectile tissue columns in the penis.

Corpus spongiosum

Single ventral erectile tissue column surrounding the penile urethra.

Foreskin (prepuce)

Retractable fold of skin covering the glans penis.

Circumcision

Surgical removal of the penile foreskin.

Oligospermia

Condition of abnormally low sperm count leading to reduced fertility.

Cryptorchidism

Failure of testes to descend into scrotum at birth.

Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)

Noncancerous enlargement of the prostate common in older men.

Prostatectomy

Surgical removal of all or part of the prostate gland.

Erectile dysfunction

Inability to achieve or maintain penile erection suitable for intercourse.

Inguinal hernia

Protrusion of abdominal contents through inguinal canal, possibly into scrotum.

Ovary

Female gonad producing ova, estrogen, and progesterone.

Oogenesis

Meiotic process in ovaries that forms a mature ovum and polar bodies.

Graafian (mature) follicle

Fully developed ovarian follicle that releases the ovum at ovulation.

Corpus luteum

Yellow glandular structure formed from ruptured follicle; secretes progesterone.

Estrogen

Female sex hormone promoting secondary sex characteristics and endometrial growth.

Progesterone

Hormone from corpus luteum that prepares and maintains uterine lining for implantation.

Uterine (fallopian) tube

Duct that transports ova from ovary to uterus; usual site of fertilization.

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections at fallopian tube end that sweep the ovulated ovum inward.

Uterus

Muscular organ where implantation, fetal development, and labor occur.

Myometrium

Thick muscular layer of the uterine wall responsible for contractions.

Endometrium

Inner uterine lining that thickens cyclically and is shed during menstruation.

Menopause

Permanent cessation of menstrual cycles, typically around age 50.

Vagina

Distensible canal receiving penis during intercourse and serving as birth canal.

Bartholin (greater vestibular) gland

Gland secreting mucus to lubricate vulvar vestibule; can become infected.

Menstrual cycle

Approximately 28-day sequence of uterine and ovarian changes preparing for pregnancy.

Menses

Menstrual phase characterized by shedding of endometrium and bleeding (days 1–5).

Proliferative phase

Post-menses phase when endometrium repairs and thickens under estrogen influence.

Secretory phase

Post-ovulation phase when endometrium further thickens and secretes to support implantation.

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation commonly called menstrual cramps.

Amenorrhea

Absence of normal menstrual periods.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Hormonal disorder with enlarged cystic ovaries; leading cause of female infertility.

Endometriosis

Condition where functioning endometrial tissue exists outside the uterus causing pain and infertility.

Sexually transmitted disease (STD)

Infection primarily spread through sexual contact; includes bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases.