Unit 8b - Reproductive System

testes

Male gonad that produces sperm and testosterone

scrotum

External sac that contains the testes

epididymus

structure in the male reproductive system in which sperm are fully matured and are stored

vas deferens

Long, narrow tube carrying sperm from epididymis to ejaculatory duct

ejaculatory ducts

Formed by the vas deferens and seminal vesicles

urethra

The function of this is to pass sperm and urine

semen

A thick fluid containing sperm and other secretions from the male reproductive system

seminal vesicles

two small glands that secrete a fluid rich in sugar that nourishes and helps sperm move

prostate gland

Accessory reproductive gland, produces one-third of semen volume, including fluids that activate sperm

bulbourethral glands

Secrete clear, alkaline (basic) mucus that balances acidity of vagina and any traces of urine in urethra.

prostaglandins

Chemical in semen that causes the uterus to contract.

penis

Male reproductive organ

seminiferous tubules

Narrow, coiled tubules that produce sperm in the testes.

spermatogenesis

Formation of sperm.

sperm

Male gamete

acrosome

A vesicle at the tip of a sperm cell that helps the sperm penetrate the egg

interstitial cells

in the testes, these cells lie between the seminiferous tubules and produce the hormone testosterone

gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

the hypothalamic releasing hormone that controls the release of the two gonadotropic hormones from the anterior pituitary

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

A hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates the production of sperm in the male and growth of the follicle (which produces the egg) in the female.

lutenizing hormone (LH)

Hormone that acts upon the gonads

testosterone

A hormone produced by the testes that affects the production of sperm, the development of male secondary sex characteristics, & the sex drive.

ovaries

Female Gonads

oogenesis

- production of female gamete

oocyte

Egg cell (ovum)

ovulation

Development and release of the egg from the ovary, which usually occurs halfway through a woman's menstrual cycle.

oviducts

Fallopian tubes where the egg travels down to the uterus.

fimbriae

Fingerlike projection of the uterin (fallopian) tubes that drape over the ovary.

zygote

A fertilized egg that contains chromosomes from both a sperm and an egg

implantation

Attachment of the fertilized egg to the uterine wall

uterus

Female organ where a fetus develops

cervix

Entrance to the uterus

endometrium

Inner lining of the uterus

vagina

A muscular, elastic passageway that extends from the uterus to the outside of the body

vulva

External genitalia of the female

clitoris

Female sexual organ homologous to the penis

ovarian cycle

Cyclic changes that occur in the ovaries

follicular phase

Days 1-13 Increase in FSH, Estrogen due to follicle maturation

FSH

Follicle Stimulating Hormone

primary follicle

this follicle is in the first stage of growth; it is growing and getting ready

secondary follice

2 or more layers of cells surrounding oocyte

vesicular follicle

when a follicle is mature and the developing egg is ready to be ejected from the ovary

luteal phase

LH (luteinizing hormome) causes burst follicle to develop into corpus luteum (secretes estrogen and progesterone); progesterone causes glands in endometrium to mature and become prepared for implantation of an embryo; the estrogen and progesterone are essential in maintaining the endometrium

LH

Luteinizing Hormone

corpus luteum

Endocrine tissue which produces hormones, estrogen, and progesterone which prepares the uterine lining for receiving an embryo

estrogen

female sex hormone

progesterone

A hormone produced by the ovaries which acts with estrogen to bring about the menstral cycle.

menstruation

Endometrium breaks up and is discharged from the body

proliferative phase

Layer of endometrial tissue (stratum functionalis) lost in last menstruation is rebuilt

secretory phase

Days 15-28 of uterine cycle

placenta

A structure that allows an embryo to be nourished with the mother's blood supply

fertilization

Process in sexual reproduction in which male and female reproductive cells join to form a new cell

human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

hormone produced by the placenta to sustain pregnancy

oxytocin

Hormone involved in uterine contractions and milk let down

menopause

Permanent end of menstrual period