Reproductive System Vocabulary

Gonads

Primary reproductive organs; ovaries and testes

Ovaries

female gonads that produce ova and sex hormones

Testes

male reproductive glands located in the scrotum, which produce sperm and testosterone

Gametes

sex cells

Ova

female gametes; eggs

Sperm

male gamete; spermatozoa

seminiferous tubules

Narrow, coiled tubules that produce sperm in the testes.

Epididymis

The portion of the male duct system in which sperm mature

-empties into ductus vas deferens

ductus deferens

carries sperm from epididymis to urethra

ejaculatory duct

duct formed by the union of the vas deferens with the duct of the seminal vesicle; its fluid is carried into the urethra

Urethra

Duct through which urine and sperm is discharged.

seminal vesicles

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

prostate gland

A gland in males that contributes to the seminal fluid.

bulbourethral glands

Discharges a component of seminal fluid into the urethra

semen

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

Scrotum

External sac that contains the testes

Penis

Male reproductive organ

Spermatogenesis

the production of sperm cells

spermatogonia

Supporting foundation for continual sperm production for the majority of the males lifespan

acrosome

A region at the head of a sperm cell that contains digestive enzyems which, when released during the acrosome reaction, can facilitate penetration of the corona radiata of the egg, and subsequently, fertilization

Testosterone

the most important of the male sex hormones. Both males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty

Cervix

neck of the uterus leads from uterus and extends to vagina

Follicles

clusters of cells surrounding a single egg

oocyte

immature egg

Ovulation

The process of releasing a mature ovum into the fallopian tube each month

corpus luteum

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

uterine tubes (fallopian tubes)

tubes extending from each side of the uterus toward the ovary that provide a passage for ova to the uterus

Fimbriae

finger or fringe like projections at the end of the Fallopian tubes

uterus (womb)

hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ whose function is to contain the developing fetus

-nourishes,retains and receives a fertilized egg

Endimetrium

Mucous membrane lining of the uterus

Vagina(birth canal)

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

Oogenesis

the production, growth, and maturation of an egg, or ovum

oogonia

an immature female reproductive cell that gives rise to primary oocytes by mitosis

ovarian cycle

The 28 days of the menstrual cycle as they apply to events in the ovary. The ovarian cycle has three subphases: the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase.

uterine cycle (menstrual cycle)

The sequence of events that occurs on an approximately 28-day cycle in the uterine lining (endometrium) that involves the thickening of and increased blood supply to the endometrium and the loss of the endometrium as menstrual flow.

Menstruation

Last phase of the menstrual cycle in which the lining of the uterus along with blood and the unfertilized ovum are discharged through the vagina.

mammary glands

Specialized organs in mammals that produce milk to nourish the young

lactiferous ducts

tubes that carry milk within the breast

acrosomal reaction

triggered when the sperm meets the egg

zona pellucida

A thick, transpartent coating rich in glycoproteins that surrounds an oocyte.

corona radiata

Outer layer of cells surrounding the oocyte. These cells are secreted by follicle cells.

Fertilization

Fusion of an egg and sperm cell

Zygote

fertilized egg

Blastocyst

stage of early embryonic development that consists of a hollow ball of cells

Embryo

An organism in the earliest stage of development

Gastrulation

Developmental process that produces the three primary germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm)

Implantation

process in which the blastocyst attaches to the wall of the uterus

HCG

hormone produced early in pregnancy by the placenta

chorionic villi

Allow for the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and carbon dioxide between mother and fetus

Placenta

organ that nourishes the fetus

amnion

Membrane that encloses the embryo in protective amniotic fluids

umbilical cord

a tube containing the blood vessels connecting the fetus and placenta

Fetus

9 weeks to birth

pregnancy

Condition in a female of having a developing embryo and fetus in her uterus for about 40 weeks (9 months)

fetal age

actual age of the growing baby

-2 weeks less of gestational age

parturition

process of giving birth

Oxytocin

a hormone released by the pituitary gland that causes increased contraction of the uterus during labor and stimulates the ejection of milk into the ducts of the breasts.

Dilation

Beginning of labor until amniotic sac pops

expulsion

From dilation to the delivery of the infant

Afterbirth

delivery of placenta

cesarean delivery

delivery of a baby by surgical removal from the uterus

identical twins

twins who develop from a single fertilized egg that splits in two, creating two genetically identical organisms

fraternal twins

twins who develop from separate fertilized eggs. They are genetically no closer than brothers and sisters, but they share a fetal environment.

Yeast infection

a vaginal infection caused by a fungal organism

-itching and discharge

Endometriosis

Growth of endometrial tissue outside of uterus

ectopic pregnancy

A pregnancy outside of the womb, usually in a fallopian tube

Pre-term labor

labor that occurs before your 37th week of pregnancy

Premature

Baby born before 37 weeks

placenta previa

the abnormal implantation of the placenta in the lower portion of the uterus

Miscarriage

The death of an embryo or fetus in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy

Puberty

Developmental stage at which a person becomes capable of reproduction.

secondary sex characteristics

nonreproductive sexual characteristics, such as female breasts and hips, male voice quality, and body hair

Menopause

gradual ending of menstruation

corpus spongiosum

surrounds urethra and expands to form glans and bulb

corpora cavernosa

two columns of erectile tissue found in the shaft of the penis

spongy urethra

runs through penis; opens at external urethral orifice

peritoneum in male pelvis

Transverse vesical fold

Fold of ureter

Fold of ductus deferens

Mesorectum

female perineum

extends from the pubic symphysis to the area around the anus

broad ligament of uterus

peritoneal fold; supports the uterine (fallopian) tubes, uterus and vagina and encloses the ovarian ligament

ovarian ligament

anchors ovary medially to uterus

regions of the uterus

fundus, body, isthmus, cervix

ligaments of the uterus and ovaries

broad ligament

round ligament

cardinal ligament

uterosacral ligament

ovarian ligament

vaginal fornix

upper end of vagina surrounding cervix

hymen

mucous membrane partially or completely covering the opening to the vagina

vulva

external female genitalia; includes the labia, hymen, clitoris, and vaginal orifice

mons pubis

a mound of fatty tissue covering the pubic area in women

labia majora

the larger outer folds of the vulva.

labia minora (inner lips)

Two small hairless, light-colored membranes located between the labia majora.

Paraurethral (Skene's) glands

secrete mucous and are embedded in the wall of the urethra. They are homologous to the prostate.

Greater vestibular (Bartholin's) glands

produce mucous during sexual arousal to provide lubrication. They are homologous to the bulbourethral gland.

clitoris

a small sensitive and erectile part of the female genitals at the anterior end of the vulva.

areola

dark-pigmented area surrounding the breast nipple

menopause

the time of natural cessation of menstruation; also refers to the biological changes a woman experiences as her ability to reproduce declines

Chlamydia

A sexually transmitted disease, the most common in developed countries, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Often producing no symptoms, it can cause infertility, chronic pain, or a tubal pregnancy if left untreated.

Syphilis

an STD that attacks many parts of the body and is caused by a small bacterium called a spirochete

Gonorrhea

A sexually transmitted bacterial disease caused by a gonococcus bacterium that causes inflammation of the genital mucous membrane, burning pain when urinating, and a discharge

Trichomoniasis

an STD caused by a microscopic protozoan that results in infections of the vagina, urethra, and bladder

HPV (human papilloma virus)

a group of viruses that can cause genital warts in males and females and can cause cervical cancer in females

Genetal Herpes

a viral STD that produces painful blisters on the genital area

Pap smear

Test for early detection of cervical cancer; scraping of cells removed from cervix for examination under microscope.