Anatomy, Menstruation, and Pregnancy Lecture Review

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers human reproductive anatomy, the mechanics of the menstrual cycle, and the stages of pregnancy and childbirth.

Intersex

A biological sex where a person is born with internal or external reproductive anatomy, chromosomes, or hormones that do not fit the typical definitions of female or male.

Testicle

A part of the internal anatomy of a person with a penis, labeled as part 1 in the diagram.

Epididymis

A part of the internal anatomy of a person with a penis, labeled as part 2 in the diagram.

Vas Deferens

A part of the internal anatomy of a person with a penis, labeled as part 3 in the diagram.

Seminal Vesicle

A part of the internal anatomy of a person with a penis, labeled as part 4 in the diagram.

Prostate Gland

A part of the internal anatomy of a person with a penis, labeled as part 5 in the diagram.

Cowper's Gland

A part of the internal anatomy of a person with a penis, labeled as part 6 in the diagram.

Ovaries

Organs in a person with a vulva that are labeled as part 1 in the internal anatomy diagram.

Fallopian Tubes

The tubes where fertilization occurs and the egg travels toward the uterus; labeled as part 2 in the internal anatomy diagram.

Uterus

The organ where a fertilized egg implants and a fetus develops; labeled as part 3 in the internal anatomy diagram.

Endometrium

The lining of the uterus that sheds during menstruation; labeled as part 4 in the internal anatomy diagram.

Cervix

The lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina and must dilate to $10\,\text{cm}$ during active labor.

Menstruation

The shedding of the uterine lining through the vagina, commonly called "a period".

Menarche

A person's first period; periods may be irregular for $12-18$ months after this event.

Menstrual Cycle

Process by which the ovaries and reproductive organs prepare each month for a possible pregnancy, normally lasting between $21-45$ days.

Estrogen

A hormone that increases at the beginning of the menstrual cycle and controls ovulation.

Progesterone

A hormone that increases around ovulation and helps to maintain pregnancy.

Ovulation

The release of an egg that usually occurs around the middle of the cycle, about $2$ weeks before bleeding begins.

Fertilization

When the sperm fuses with the egg in the fallopian tube.

Implantation

When a fertilized egg reaches the uterus after $4-5$ days and plants itself in the endometrium, considered by most health care providers as the beginning of pregnancy.

Menopause

When the body stops menstruating, typically occurring between the ages of $45-55$.

Perimenopause

The time leading up to menopause that can last $2-8$ years, characterized by irregular ovulation and changing hormone levels.

Embryo

The developmental stage of the primary organism during the first $2$ months of pregnancy.

Fetus

The developmental stage of the organism from month $3$ through birth.

Trimesters

The three $3$-month periods into which a pregnancy is divided.

Placenta

An organ delivered in Stage 3 of childbirth that connects the fetus to the uterine wall to exchange nutrients, waste, and oxygen.