C-RLE 107 Module 1a: Procreative Health & Review of the Reproductive System

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards generated directly from the C-RLE 107 Module 1a lecture notes covering procreative health definitions, theories, puberty, and male and female reproductive anatomy.

Procreation

The process by which an organism produces others of its kind through breeding, multiplication, proliferation, propagation, reproduction, or spawning.

Reproductive Health

Within the World Health Organization framework, a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being addressing the reproductive processes, functions, and system at all stages of life.

Theory of Spontaneous Generation

A theory proposed by Aristotle stating that life comes from non-life.

Theory of Evolution

A theory proposed by Darwin (1859) in the book Origin of Life, stating that life came from a single-celled organism that underwent complex evolutionary processes to become a multi-cellular type.

XVII Century Preformation Theory

A theory associated with Swammerdam and Bonnet (1720-1793) stating that all structures exist ab initio and grow up, with a miniature human called a homunculus already present in the egg and sperm.

Theory of Homunculus

A theory stating that a minute human body is concealed within the head of the sperm as a fully formed individual existing prior to fertilization.

Puberty

A period of rapid change in which reproductive systems mature and become capable of reproduction, beginning when secondary sex characteristics appear.

Testosterone

The primary male sex hormone that causes height growth, muscle development, and secondary sex characteristics, maintaining constant levels that may decrease to 50% by age 80 years old.

Menarche

The first menstrual period in females, which occurs 2 to 2 ½ years after the initial development of breasts, typically between age 11 to 15.

Glans Penis

The rounded, distal end of the penis encased by loose-fitting, retractable skin called the foreskin or prepuse.

Circumcision

The surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis.

Scrotum

A sac suspended from the perineum containing the testes, which keeps them away from the body to lower their temperature for normal sperm production.

Testes

A pair of oval glands measuring 1 ½ inches long by 1 inch wide housed in the scrotum, responsible for manufacturing sperm and secreting male hormones at an environment $1^\bullet\text{C}$ lower than normal body temperature.

Seminiferous Tubules

Convoluted tubules contained within the testes where sperm production occurs starting at puberty.

Leydig Cells

Cells within the testes where testosterone production is initiated under the direction of FSH and LH secreted by the anterior pituitary gland.

Epididymis

A tightly coiled tube about 20 feet long from each testicle where sperm mature and develop motility over a period of 2 to 10 days.

Vas Deferens

Ducts that rapidly squeeze sperm from their storage sites into the urethra, passing upward into the body and circling the bladder.

Seminal Vesicles

Two convoluted pouches along the bladder that secrete a viscous, alkaline portion of semen containing high basic sugar to provide energy for sperm mobility.

Prostate Gland

A gland located just below the bladder that secretes a thin alkaline fluid added to seminal vesicle secretions and sperm.

Cowper's Gland

Also known as the bulbourethral gland, it secretes an alkaline fluid that counteracts urethral acid secretions and lubricates the end of the penis.

Semen

The fluid composed of seminal plasma combined with sperm.

Mons Veneris

Also known as mons pubis, a pad of fat lying over the symphysis pubis covered in dark curly hair that protects surrounding delicate tissue from trauma.

Labia Majora

Two lengthwise fatty folds of skin extending from the mons veneris to the perineum that protect the labia minora, urinary meatus, and vaginal orifice.

Labia Minora

Two thinner, lengthwise folds of hairless skin rich in nerve supply extending from the clitoris to the fourchette.

Clitoris

A small erectile structure at the anterior junction of the labia minora containing numerous nerve endings and secreting smegma.

Vestibule

The flattened smooth surface inside the labia that encloses the openings of the urethra and vagina.

Skene's Glands

Paraurethral glands located lateral to the urinary meatus whose secretions help lubricate the external genitalia during coitus.

Bartholin's Glands

Vulvovaginal glands located lateral to the vaginal opening that lubricate the external vulva and provide an alkaline pH to improve sperm survival.

Fourchette

A thin fold of tissue formed by the merging of the labia majora and labia minora below the vaginal orifice.

Perineum

The skin-covered region between the vaginal opening and the anus that stretches during childbirth.

Hymen

A thin membrane covering the vaginal orifice or introitus.

Fallopian Tube

A 4-inch long tube that transports mature ova from the ovaries to the uterus, where fertilization typically occurs in its outer third or outer half.

Interstitial Portion

The part of the fallopian tube that lies within the uterine wall.

Isthmus of Fallopian Tube

The portion of the fallopian tube that is cut or sealed during a tubal ligation.

Ampulla

The widest and longest portion of the fallopian tube spreading into fingerlike projections, where fertilization usually occurs.

Infundibulum

The rim of the fallopian tube funnel covered by fimbriated cells that help to guide the ova into the fallopian tube.

Ovaries

Oval, almond-sized sex glands weighing 3 grams responsible for the production, maturation, and discharge of ova, as well as the secretion of estrogen and progesterone.

Uterus

A hollow, pear-shaped muscular organ measuring 3 inches long by 2 inches wide and weighing 50 to 60 grams, serving as the site for menstruation and fetal implantation.

Perimetrium

The outermost layer of the uterus.

Myometrium

The middle layer of the uterus that expels the fetus during the birth process and contracts around blood vessels to prevent hemorrhage.

Endometrium

The inner vascular layer of the uterus that is shed during menstruation and following delivery.

Fundus

The upper rounded, dome-shaped portion of the uterus palpated to assess uterine growth and force of contraction.

Corpus

The body of the uterus.

Uterine Isthmus

The area between the corpus and cervix that is cut during a caesarian section delivery and enlarges to accommodate fetal growth.

Cervix

The lower cylindrical portion representing one-third of the total uterus.

Doderlein's Bacillus

The normal flora of the vagina that makes the pH of the vagina acidic.

Gynecoid Pelvis

A rounded or blunt pelvic shape that is most favorable for successful delivery and birth.

Anthropoid Pelvis

An oval-shaped pelvis in which vaginal delivery is possible.

Android Pelvis

A male-type pelvis characterized by a wedge-shape or heart-shape.

Platypeloid Pelvis

A flat-shaped pelvis featuring an oval outlet.