Reproductive System Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the male and female reproductive systems, including anatomy, hormones, gametogenesis, and stages of pregnancy based on the lecture transcript.

Meiosis

A process of nuclear division consisting of two phases (Meiosis I and Meiosis II) that results in 4 gametes containing $23$ chromosomes each.

Spermatogenesis

The production of sperm cells from spermatogonia that begins at puberty and occurs in the seminiferous tubules.

Oogenesis

The process of egg production resulting in $1$ ovum and $3$ polar bodies.

Seminiferous tubules

The sperm-forming factories located within the lobules of each testis.

Epididymis

A comma-shaped, tightly coiled tube about $20$ feet long that functions to mature and store sperm cells for at least $20$ days.

Ductus Deferens (Vas Deferens)

A tube that carries sperm by peristalsis from the epididymis, through the inguinal canal, and over the bladder to the urethra.

Seminal Vesicles

Glands located at the base of the bladder that produce a thick, yellowish secretion containing fructose, Vitamin C, and prostaglandins, accounting for $60$% of semen.

Prostate Gland

A gland encircling the urethra below the bladder that secretes a milky fluid helping to activate sperm motility.

Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) Glands

Pea-sized glands that produce a thick, clear mucus to cleanse the urethra of acidic urine and serve as a lubricant during sexual intercourse.

Semen

A mixture of sperm and accessory gland secretions, containing between $50 \times 10^{6}$ and $130 \times 10^{6}$ sperm per ml.

Scrotum

A divided sac of skin that maintains the testes at $3^\text{o}C$ lower than normal body temperature to protect sperm viability.

Spermiogenesis

The last stage of sperm development where excess cytoplasm is sloughed off and the head, midpiece, and tail are formed.

Acrosome

A large lysosome on the head of a sperm cell containing enzymes released when the sperm contacts the oocyte.

Testosterone

The most important hormone of the testes, produced by interstitial cells, which stimulates reproductive organ development and underlies sex drive.

Graafian (vesicular) follicle

A maturing ovarian follicle in its late stage that contains a mature oocyte ready for ovulation.

Corpus luteum

The structure formed from a ruptured follicle after ovulation that secretes progesterone.

Fimbriae

Finger-like extensions at the distal end of the uterine tube that receive the oocyte.

Endometrium

The inner mucosal layer of the uterus where a fertilized egg implants; it sloughs off during menses if pregnancy does not occur.

Endometriosis

A condition where endometrial tissue grows in locations other than the uterus, causing pain and possible infertility.

Bartholin’s glands

Two pea-sized glands located posterior to the vaginal opening that secrete mucus for lubrication; homologous to male bulbourethral glands.

Menarche

The first occurrence of menses, typically beginning about two years after the start of puberty.

Zygote

The first cell of a new individual, formed by the fusion of DNA from sperm and egg.

Cleavage

The process of rapid mitotic cell divisions that a zygote undergoes without growing in size.

Blastocyst

A hollow ball of cells (about $100$ cell stage) that secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

A hormone produced by the blastocyst that prevents the degeneration of the corpus luteum.

Placenta

An organ formed from chorionic villi and uterine cells that delivers nutrients and oxygen to the embryo and removes waste.

Relaxon

A hormone produced by the placenta and ovaries that relaxes the pubic symphysis and ligaments to dilate the cervix.

Parturition

The act of childbirth, involving labor stages: dilation, expulsion, and the placental stage.

Menopause

The period when ovulation and menses cease entirely and the ovaries stop functioning as endocrine organs.

Chlamydia

A common bacterial STD that can infect the urinary tract and reproductive system, potentially leading to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).