Reproductive System Vocabulary

Flashcards covering the key vocabulary terms in the lecture notes on the reproductive system.

Gonads

Produce sex cells (gametes) and secrete sex hormones.

Sex Hormones

Androgens (males), estrogens, and progesterone (females)

Puberty

Onset during adolescence, reproductive organs become functional, external sex characteristics develop, gametes begin to mature, and gonads start to secrete sex hormones.

GnRH

Hormone released by the hypothalamus that initiates puberty.

FSH

Follicle-stimulating hormone, released by the anterior pituitary, stimulates the gonads

LH

Luteinizing hormone, released by the anterior pituitary, stimulates the gonads

Oocyte

Female gamete produced monthly.

Testes

Primary reproductive organs in males.

Scrotum

External positioning provides a temperature 3°C lower than core body temperature for the testes.

Tunica Albuginea

Thick fibrous capsule covering the testis.

Seminiferous Tubules

Convoluted and elongated tubules within the testes where sperm are produced.

Sustentacular Cells

Non-dividing support cells in the seminiferous tubules that nourish developing sperm and release inhibin.

Blood-Testis Barrier

Protects developing sperm from material in the blood.

Interstitial Cells

Found in interstitial spaces; stimulated by luteinizing hormone to produce androgens, mainly testosterone.

Rete Testis

Ducts within the testis.

Efferent Ductules

Ducts within the testis that lead to the epididymis.

Epididymis

Storage site for sperm where they mature and gain motility.

Ductus Deferens

Transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.

Ejaculatory Duct

Formed by the vas deferens and seminal vesicle duct; located in the prostate.

Urethra

Conveys both urine and semen, consisting of prostatic, membranous, and spongy regions.

Seminal Vesicles

Secrete 60% of semen volume; viscous, alkaline fluid containing fructose.

Prostate Gland

Surrounds the urethra and secretes a milky, slightly acidic fluid that contains citric acid, seminalplasmin, and PSA.

Bulbourethral Glands

Pea-sized glands inferior to the prostate that produce thick, clear mucus prior to ejaculation.

Semen

Milky white, sticky mixture of sperm and secretions that transports, provides nutrients, protects, and activates sperm.

Erection

Occurs when blood fills erectile bodies in the penis due to parasympathetic nervous system stimulation.

Resolution Phase

Sympathetic nervous system constricts the central artery and muscles around erectile tissue, leading to the end of sexual response.

Inhibin

Hormone released by sustentacular cells that inhibits FSH secretion and regulates sperm production.

Gametogenesis

Process of forming human sex cells (gametes).

Meiosis

Cell division process that produces haploid daughter cells (gametes) from a diploid parent cell.

Diploid Cell

Cell with 23 pairs of chromosomes (2n chromosomes).

Haploid Cell

Cell with 23 chromosomes (n chromosomes).

SRY Gene

Sex-determining region Y gene located on the Y chromosome that initiates male phenotypic development.

Nondisjunction

Failure of separation of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids during meiosis.

Spermatogenesis

Sperm development within the seminiferous tubules.

Spermiogenesis

Process where spermatids transform into sperm by shedding excess cytoplasm and elongating the nucleus.

Male Climacteric

Period in men's 50s with decreased testosterone levels, potentially leading to mood swings, decreased sex drive, and hot flashes.

Ovaries

Make female gametes (ova) and secrete female sex hormones.

Broad Ligament

Drape of peritoneum hanging over the uterus.

Ovarian Ligament

Anchors the ovary to the posterior aspect of the broad ligament.

Suspensory Ligament

Attaches to the lateral edge of each ovary and houses ovarian blood vessels and nerves.

Tunica Albuginea (Ovary)

Dense CT capsule of the ovary.

Ovarian Follicles

Consist of an oocyte surrounded by follicle cells.

Primordial Follicle

Most primitive type of ovarian follicle, containing a primary oocyte arrested in first meiotic prophase.

Primary Follicle

Forms from a maturing primordial follicle, containing a primary oocyte with layers of cuboidal follicular cells.

Granulosa Cells

Cuboidal follicular cells that secrete estrogen as the primary follicle matures.

Secondary Follicle

Forms from a primary follicle, containing a primary oocyte, many layers of granulosa cells, and a fluid-filled space (antrum).

Mature Follicle

Contains a secondary oocyte surrounded by the zona pellucida and corona radiata, with numerous layers of granulosa cells and a fluid-filled antrum.

Corpus Luteum

Forms from remnants of the follicle after the mature follicle ruptures; secretes progesterone and estrogen.

Corpus Albicans

Formed from regressed corpus luteum; a white connective tissue scar.

Oogenesis

Maturation of a primary oocyte to a secondary oocyte.

Oogonia

Primordial germ cells in the ovary that undergo mitosis to produce primary oocytes.

Ovarian Cycle Phases

Follicular, ovulation, and luteal phases.

Inhibin (Female)

Hormone released by follicular cells that helps inhibit further FSH production.

Ovulation

Release of the secondary oocyte from the mature follicle.

Menarche

First menstrual cycle, occurring around age 11–12.

Menopause

Cessation of monthly menstrual cycles for 1 year, typically occurring between ages 45 to 55.

hCG

Human chorionic gonadotropin, secreted by pre-embryo, mimics effects of LH, stimulates corpus luteum.

Uterine Tubes

Extend laterally from the uterus towards the ovaries; transport the ovulated oocyte to the uterus.

Ectopic Pregnancy

Fertilized oocyte implants outside the uterine endometrium.

Uterus

Pear-shaped muscular organ that functions as the implantation site for the pre-embryo, supports the developing embryo, and ejects the fetus at birth.

Cervix

Narrow inferiormost part of the uterus that projects into the vagina.

Myometrium

3 intertwining smooth muscle layers of the uterus.

Endometrium

Deeper basal layer adjacent to myometrium; Superficial functional layer that grows from the basal layer.

Vagina

Thick-walled, fibromuscular tube that functions as the birth canal, for intercourse, and menstruation.

Uterine Cycle Phases

Menstrual phase, proliferative phase, and secretory phase.

HPV

Human papillomavirus, the most important risk factor for cervical cancer.

Uterine Cycle Phases

Menstrual phase, proliferative phase, secretory phase.

Vulva

External Genitalia, includes the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, and vestibule.

Clitoris

Small erectile body in the anterior region of the labia minora, homologous to the penis.

Mammary Gland

Located within the anterior thoracic wall; composed of a tubuloalveolar exocrine gland that secretes breast milk.

Prolactin

Produced in the anterior pituitary; responsible for milk production.

Oxytocin

Produced by hypothalamus and released from posterior pituitary; responsible for milk ejection.