Reproductive System Lecture Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering male and female reproductive anatomy, vasculature, zones of the prostate, and uterine stages from lecture notes.

Primary sex organs (Male)

The testes, which produce sex cells.

Secondary sex organs (Male)

Organs that provide the route by which sex cells unite.

Seminal vesicle

Produces fluid that forms approximately 65% of semen.

Ejaculatory duct

A duct formed by the joining of the vas deferens and the seminal vesicle; there are two per male.

Verumontanum

The junction where the ejaculatory ducts meet the urethra.

Testes

Primary sex organs that produce sperm and testosterone; they descend into the scrotum in the 8th month of fetal life.

Epididymis

An organ that stores and transports sperm cells from the testes; its head diameter is $10-12\,mm$.

Ductus/vas deferens

A tube that transports sperm from the epididymis to the prostatic urethra.

Prostate gland

A gland that secretes prostate fluid, accounting for 30% of semen; it is located anterior to the rectum and inferior to the bladder.

Bulbourethral gland

A gland that adds fluid (5% of semen) during ejaculation.

Scrotum

A bag of skin that holds and protects testicles, keeping them $2$ to $3$ degrees cooler than body temperature.

Penis

An organ that provides a means of urination and sexual function.

Spermatic cord

A structure that includes blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, nerves, and the vas deferens.

Cremaster muscle

A muscle surrounding the spermatic cord and testes that contracts in cold weather to draw testes closer to the body for warmth.

Median septum

A dividing wall that separates the scrotum into two compartments.

Testicular artery

A branch from the abdominal aorta that supplies blood to the testicle.

Deferential artery

A branch from the vesicle artery (a branch of the Internal Iliac Artery) that supplies the epididymis and vas deferens.

Cremateric artery

An artery originating from the inferior epigastric artery that supplies peritesticular tissues.

Pampiniform plexus

A venous network extending from the testicle that merges with the Internal Iliac Vein to form the testicular veins.

Right testicular vein

A vein that drains directly into the Inferior Vena Cava (IVC).

Left testicular vein

A vein that drains into the renal vein before reaching the IVC.

Polyorchidism

An extremely rare condition involving testicular duplication, where three testes are most commonly present.

Varicocele

The dilation of veins in the pampiniform plexus; it is the #1 cause of male infertility.

Corpus cavernosa

Two large cylinders of erectile tissue in the shaft of the penis.

Corpus spongiosum

A smaller cylinder of erectile tissue that encircles the urethra in the penis.

Tunica Vaginalis

A membrane lining the scrotal wall consisting of parietal and serous layers.

Hydrocele

A common fluid collection between the layers of the tunica vaginalis, often caused by irritation or infection.

Seminferous tubules

The specific tubes within the testes where sperm is produced.

Leydig cells

Also known as interstitial cells, these clusters between seminiferous tubules produce testosterone.

Rete testis

A network of vessels leading away from the seminiferous tubules where sperm partially matures.

Efferent ductules

Ducts that conduct immature sperm away from the testis to the epididymis.

Prostatomegaly

An enlarged prostate gland with a volume greater than $25\,cm^3$.

Peripheral zone

The apical region of the prostate and its largest zone (70%); it is the location where most prostate cancer occurs.

Transitional zone

The smallest zone of the prostate; this is where enlarged prostate (hyperplasia/hypertrophy) typically starts.

Central zone

A prostate zone comprising 25% of the gland that surrounds the ejaculatory ducts.

PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)

The main lab value for the prostate; it is elevated in prostate cancer, prostatitis, BPH, and surgical manipulation.

Prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate, often caused by the spread of infection from a UTI or catheterization.

Linea Terminalis

An imaginary line that separates the true pelvis from the false pelvis.

True Pelvis

The cavity containing the pelvic colon, bladder, rectum, and reproductive organs.

False Pelvis

The part of the pelvis that supports the intestines.

Premenarchal uterus

The uterus of a girl who has not yet had a period; it is the smallest size at $1-3\,cm$ long.

Nulliparous uterus

The uterus of a woman who has reached menarche but never given birth; it is $6-8\,cm$ long.

Myometrium

The middle layer of the uterine wall.

Endometrium

The inner layer of the uterine wall; reaches up to $16\,mm$ during the secretory phase.

Uterosacral ligament

A ligament that attaches the uterine cervix to the sacrum.

Ampulla

The widest part of the fallopian tube where fertilization occurs.

Levator ani

A muscle belonging to the pelvic diaphragm/floor.

Graafian follicle

A mature follicle that ruptures with ovulation when it reaches $1.8$ to $2.5\,cm$.

Pouch of Douglas

Also called the recto-uterine pouch or posterior cul de sac.

Spiral arteries

The specific arteries that supply the endometrium of the uterus.