Male and Female Reproductive Systems Lecture Notes

Vocabulary practice cards focusing on the male and female reproductive anatomy, specific glands, hormones, and the stages of sperm and egg development based on class lecture notes.

Penis

The organ by which the sperm is introduced into the female; it contains spongy tissue that becomes turgid and evect when filled with blood.

Urethra

The tube in the center of the penis where urine is extracted as well as semen.

Circumcision

A common procedure that removes the fore skin covering the head of the penis for reasons of hygeine and religon.

Scrotum

A pouch of skin formed from the abdominal wall that keeps the testes at a temperature slightly cooler than the body temperature ($98^\circ\text{F}$); sperm should be kept at $93-94^\circ\text{F}$.

Testis (plural testes)

$2$ oval shaped male organs that produce sperm and the hormone testosterone.

Epididymis

Tightly coiled tubes against the testicles that act as maturation and storage for sperm.

Vas Deferens (Ductus deferens)

A thin tube that starts from the epididymis to the urethra in the penis; they transport sperm from the epididymis in anticipation of ejaculation.

Seminal vesicles

Structures that produce a sticky yellowish fluid that contains fructose.

Prostate Gland

Responsible for making the production of semen, a liquid mixture of Prostate fluid, sperm cells, and seminal fluid; provides energy.

Bulbourethal Glands (Cowper's Gland)

Glands that produce clear, slippery fluid that empties directly into the urethra.

Sperm

A structure designed to move to the egg and carry genetic information.

Head (Sperm)

Large head region of the sperm cell that contains the DNA.

Midpiece (Sperm)

Narrow middle part of the sperm cell that contains mitochondria.

Tail (Sperm)

The flagellum whose wave like motion propels the sperm forward.

Vagina / Vaginal opening

A part of the female system with $3$ functions: menstrual cycle/period, birthing child, and sexual penetration.

Cervix

Known as the neck of the uterus, which stretches down to the back of the vagina.

Ovaries

Where eggs are stored and ova or female eggs are released; they produce female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Ovum / Ova

The female reproductive cell and one of the largest cells; a female is born with about $200\text{k}$ and about $400-500$ mature and release over a lifetime, dying in $24-48$ hours if not fertilized.

Fallopian tubes

The only place where the egg can be fertilized (where sperm meets egg).

Uterus

The organ where a fertilized egg grows and develops into a fetus.

Endomentarum

The lining of the uterus, which thickens and is shed once a month causing bleeding; it does not shed during pregnancy.

Estrogen

The female hormone responsible for secondary sex characteristics.

Progesterone

A female hormone associated with pregnancy.

Clitoris

Sensitive part of tissie creating sexual pleasure.

Ovulation

The process when an egg is released from the ovary, falls into the fallopian tube, and waits for fertilization (up to $2$ days); happens at about the $14\text{th}$ of the cycle.