A&P Reproductive System

Gamete

An egg or sperm cell

Zygote

A single-celled, fertilized egg

Primary sex organs

The organs that produce the gametes (testes & ovaries)

Secondary sex organs

Organs other than gonads that are necessary for reproduction (ducts, glands, penis, uterine tubes, uterus vagina)

Mesonephric ducts

The ducts that develop into the male reproductive system

Paramesonephric ducts

The ducts that develop into the female reproductive system

SRY gene

A gene found on Y chromosomes that codes for a protein called testis-determining factor (TDF); initiates the development of male anatomy

Seminiferous tubules

Slender ducts in the testes where sperm is produced

Interstitial cells

Cells located in the testes; secrete testosterone

Germ cells

Cells in the process of becoming sperm

Sertoli cells (sustentacular cells)

Cells that nourish the germ cells and produce hormones

Spermatic cord

A bundle of fibrous connective tissue containing the ductus deferens, blood and lymphatic vessels, and testicular nerves

Epididymis

Thread-like tubules on the side of each of the testis; where seminiferous tubules empty new sperm; site of sperm maturation and storage

Ductus (vas) deferens

Extends from the epididymis all the way to the seminal vesicle; cut during a vasectomy

Seminal vesicles (seminal glands)

A pair of glands posterior to the urinary bladder; one for each ductus deferens; secretion constitutes 65%-75% of semen; primary function is to produce a fluid that is rich in fructose, which provides nutrients for sperm cells

Prostate gland

Gland that surrounds the urethra and ejaculatory ducts; secretion constitutes 25%-30% of semen; fluid nourishes and protects sperm, enhancing their motility and viability

Bulbourethral glands

Small mucus-secreting glands near base of prostate gland; protects the sperm by neutralizing the acidity of residual urine in the urethra

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Noncancerous enlargement of the prostate; compresses urethra and obstructs flow of urine making it harder to completely empty bladder

uterine tube

Fertilization usually occurs in the ____ ____

Circumcision

Involves surgical removal of the foreskin

Endometriosis

Condition where the endometrium grows outside the uterus; symptoms include severe pain and infertility; diagnosis is often delayed due to complexity of symptoms

Vasectomy

Surgical procedure involving cutting or sealing of the ductus deferens to prevent perm from entering semen

Tubal ligation

Surgical procedure where uterine tubes are cut, tied, or sealed to prevent eggs from reaching the uterus

Menopause

The period in a woman's life (typically between 45 and 50 years of age) when menstruation ceases

Gene

A unit of heredity composed of DNA that carries instructions for the development, functioning, and reproduction of organisms

Pleiotropy

A phenomenon where a single gene influences multiple traits

Polygenesis

Refers to the inheritance of traits that are controlled by multiple genes

Epigenetics

The study of how our environment and lifestyle affect the chemicals attached to our genes, changing how they work

Oogenesis

The production of a fertilizable egg

Spermatogenesis

The production of sperm cells

fertilization

In females, meiosis is only completed if ______ occurs

Sexual cycle

Encompasses the events that recur every month when pregnancy doesn’t intervene

Ovarian cycle

Consists of events in the ovaries

Menstrual cycle

Consists of parallel changes in the uterus

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Hormone that stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles during the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Hormone that triggers ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum during the luteal phase

Estrogen

Hormone produced by growing follicles; thickens the endometrium during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle

Progesterone

Hormone secreted by the corpus luteum; maintains the uterine lining during the secretory phase, preparing it for potential implantation

Corpus luteum

A hormone-secreting structure that develops in an ovary after an egg has been released

Ectopic pregnancy

Occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus

50 - 120 million/mL

Normal range of sperm count