Chapter 25: The Reproductive System (Video)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on the male and female reproductive systems, hormones, gametogenesis, fertilization, pregnancy, and related structures and processes.

Gonads

Primary reproductive organs that produce gametes and sex hormones; male = testes, female = ovaries.

Gametes

Male gamete is sperm; female gamete is the secondary oocyte.

Sperm

Male gamete; produced in the testes.

Secondary oocyte

Female gamete; ovulated during the female cycle.

Fertilization

Union of a male and a female gamete to form a zygote.

Implantation

Process where the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining.

Pregnancy

Time from fertilization through embryonic and fetal development to birth.

Testes

Paired male gonads in the scrotum that produce sperm and testosterone.

Ovaries

Paired female gonads in the abdomen that produce eggs and hormones.

Epididymis

Site of sperm maturation and storage.

Ductus deferens

Transports sperm from the epididymis to the urethra; part of the spermatic cord.

Ejaculatory duct

Union of the ductus deferens and the seminal vesicle duct; drains into the prostatic urethra.

Urethra

Shared by the urinary and reproductive systems in males; sections include prostatic, membranous, and spongy (penile) urethra.

Seminal vesicles

Accessory glands that secrete an alkaline, fructose-rich fluid for sperm energy.

Prostate gland

Gland surrounding the prostatic urethra; secretions aid sperm motility and viability.

Bulbourethral glands

Cowper’s glands; secrete mucus for lubrication and alkaline fluid to neutralize acids.

Scrotum

External skin-covered pouch that houses the testes and maintains lower-than-body temperature.

Cremaster muscle

Elevates the testes to conserve/regulate temperature.

Dartos muscle

Smooth muscle that wrinkles the scrotal skin to regulate temperature.

Tunica vaginalis

Serous membrane surrounding the testes.

Tunica albuginea

Dense connective tissue capsule surrounding each testis.

Blood-testis barrier

Barricade formed by Sertoli cells to protect developing sperm from immune attack.

Sertoli cells

Support and nourish developing sperm; form the blood-testis barrier and secrete inhibin.

Leydig cells

Cells in the testes that produce testosterone.

Inhibin

Hormone from Sertoli cells that inhibits FSH to regulate spermatogenesis.

Testosterone

Primary male sex hormone; supports spermatogenesis and male characteristics; can be converted to DHT.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

Potent androgen derived from testosterone; contributes to development and function of male tissues.

Androgen-binding protein (ABP)

Keeps high testosterone concentration in seminiferous tubules by binding testosterone.

Spermatogenesis

Process of sperm production in the seminiferous tubules.

Spermiogenesis

Maturation of spermatids into elongated spermatozoa with acrosome and flagellum.

Spermatozoa

Mature sperm cells.

Acrosome

Enzyme-filled cap of the sperm head that enables penetration of the oocyte zona pellucida.

Capacitation

Biochemical changes that enable sperm to fertilize an egg within the female tract.

Semen

Mixture of sperm and secretions from seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands.

Corpora cavernosa

Two dorsal erectile tissue columns in the penis.

Corpus spongiosum

Erectile tissue surrounding the spongy urethra.

Glans penis

Expanded distal tip of the penis with sensory receptors.

Prepuce

Foreskin that covers the glans penis.

Hypothalamic GnRH

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus; stimulates anterior pituitary to release LH and FSH.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Stimulates Leydig cells to secrete testosterone; triggers ovulation in females.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Stimulates spermatogenesis; with testosterone stimulates Sertoli cells to produce ABP.

Prolactin

Anterior pituitary hormone that promotes milk synthesis; inhibited by progesterone until after birth.

Oxytocin

Posterior pituitary hormone that promotes milk ejection and uterine contractions.

Colostrum

First early breast milk rich in antibodies; supports newborn immunity.

Oogonia

Fetal germ cells that give rise to primary oocytes.

Primordial follicle

Single layer of cells around an oocyte in the ovary.

Primary follicle

Follicle with a clear zona pellucida and multiple granulosa layers.

Secondary follicle

Follicle with corona radiata, antrum, theca interna and externa.

Graafian follicle

Mature follicle that ruptures at ovulation.

Corpus luteum

Remnant after ovulation that secretes hormones to support early pregnancy.