Reproductive System Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for the male and female reproductive systems.

Testes

Essential organ of the male reproductive system responsible for sperm production.

Seminiferous Tubules

Ducts within the testes where sperm develop.

Epididymis

Duct where sperm mature and are stored.

Vas Deferens

Duct that transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.

Ejaculatory Duct

Duct formed by the union of the vas deferens and seminal vesicle duct; carries sperm to the urethra.

Urethra

Duct that carries both urine and semen out of the body.

Seminal Vesicles

Glands that secrete a fluid that makes up 60% of semen volume, containing fructose for sperm energy.

Prostate Gland

Gland that secretes an alkaline fluid that contributes to semen and helps with coagulation and de-coagulation.

Bulbourethral Gland (Cowper’s Gland)

Gland that secretes a thick, salty fluid to lubricate and cleanse the urethra before ejaculation.

Penis

Male organ used to transfer sperm into the female reproductive tract.

Scrotum

Sac external to the body that houses the testes and keeps them at a lower temperature.

Spermatic Cords

Inner conglomeration of vessels and nerves connected to the scrotum.

Cremaster Muscle

Muscular sheath that can elevate or descend the testes in the scrotum.

Spermatogenesis

The process of sperm development, which begins at puberty and continues throughout life.

Sertoli Cells

Cells inside the seminiferous tubules that create a blood-testis barrier.

Acrosome

A cap-like structure over the head of the sperm containing enzymes to help penetrate the egg.

Leydig Cells

Cells outside the seminiferous tubules that produce testosterone.

Testosterone

Hormone produced by Leydig cells that promotes spermatogenesis and secondary sex characteristics.

GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone)

Hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that directs the anterior pituitary gland to release gonadotropins.

LH (Luteinizing Hormone)

Gonadotropin that binds to Leydig cell receptors, prompting testosterone production.

FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)

Gonadotropin that aids in spermatogenesis.

Ovaries

Essential organ of the female reproductive system responsible for oocyte production.

Vagina

Smooth muscle canal and the beginning of the female reproductive tract.

Uterus

Organ with three layers: the perimetrium, myometrium, and endometrium.

Fallopian Tubes (Uterine Tubes)

Paired tubes that conduct the oocyte from the ovary to the uterus.

Mammary Glands

Glands that produce milk for lactation.

Bartholin’s Glands

Glands that lubricate the vagina.

Vulva

The external female genitalia.

Mons Pubis

Fat pad covered with hair over the pubic bone.

Labia Majora

Hair covered skin posterior and inferior to the mons pubis.

Labia Minora

Thinner, pigmented skin folds internal to the majora.

Clitoris

Nerve body originating from the same cells as the glans penis.

Hymen

Thin partial membrane covering the vaginal entrance.

Oogonia

Cells formed in development that divide by mitosis to form primary oocytes before birth.

Primary Oocytes

Oocytes that will undergo meiosis to form gametes but are halted in Meiosis I until puberty.

Ovarian Cycle

The cycle of oocyte development in the ovary.

Follicle

Surrounds the oocyte and contains group of supporting cells.

Atresia

Wasting of the primary oocytes throughout a woman’s reproductive life.

Ovulation

Expulsion of the mature oocyte/ovum.

Luteal Phase

Post-ovulation phase

Corpus Luteum

Temporary endocrine gland formed from the ruptured follicle after ovulation.

Corpus Albicans

Degenerated corpus luteum.

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections of the infundibulum of the uterine tubes.

Endometrium

Inner layer of the uterus with a permanent stratum basalis and a temporary stratum functionalis.

Menstrual Cycle

Cycle involving three phases: the menses phase, the proliferative phase, and the secretory phase.

Menses Phase

Shedding of the uterine lining.

Proliferative Phase

Rebuilding of the uterine lining.

Secretory Phase

Maintenance of the uterine lining and secretion of glycogen-rich fluid.

Menopause

Completion after a full year without menses.

Areola

Pigmented area around the nipple.