Human Reproduction Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering the male and female reproductive systems, gametogenesis, and birth processes based on the lecture notes.

Viviparous

Organisms that give birth to live young; in humans, this is part of the sexual reproduction process.

Gametogenesis

The biological process of forming gametes, which includes spermatogenesis in males and oogenesis in females.

Spermatogenesis

The formation of sperm from male germ cells (spermatogonia) within the seminiferous tubules of the testes.

Oogenesis

The formation of an egg or ovum in females, which typically ceases around the age of $50$ years.

Insemination

The physical transfer of sperms into the female genital tract.

Fertilisation

The fusion of a male gamete and a female gamete, resulting in the formation of a zygote.

Implantation

The attachment of a blastocyst to the inner wall of the uterus, known as the endometrium.

Gestation

The period of embryonic development within the mother's uterus, lasting $9$ months in humans.

Parturition

The clinical term for the delivery of a baby.

Scrotum

An external sac containing the testes that helps maintain a temperature $2-2.5^\circ\text{C}$ lower than the normal body temperature, which is necessary for spermatogenesis.

Testicular Lobules

Approximately $250$ compartments found within each testis.

Seminiferous Tubules

Highly coiled structures ($1$ to $3$ per testicular lobule) where sperms are produced.

Sertoli Cells

Also known as nursing cells, these are located inside seminiferous tubules and provide nutrition to germ cells.

Rete Testis

Irregular cavities in the testes that connect the seminiferous tubules to the vasa efferentia.

Urethral Meatus

The external opening of the urethra through which the transport of sperm and urine occurs.

Glans Penis

The enlarged end of the penis, which is covered by a loose fold of skin called the foreskin.

Seminal Plasma

The combined secretions of the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands, which is rich in fructose, calcium, and certain enzymes.

Semen

The fluid composed of seminal plasma combined with sperm.

Ovarian Stroma

The inner tissue of the ovary, enclosed by a thin epithelium and divided into a peripheral cortex and an inner medulla.

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections at the edges of the fallopian tube's infundibulum that help collect the ovum after ovulation.

Birth Canal

The passage formed by the cervical canal and the vagina together.

Myometrium

The middle thick layer of the uterus composed of smooth muscle that exhibits strong contractions during delivery.

Endometrium

The innermost glandular layer of the uterus that undergoes cyclical changes during the menstrual cycle.

Mons Pubis

The female external genitalia consisting of a cushion of fatty tissue covered by skin and pubic hair.

Clitoris

A tiny finger-like structure in the female external genitalia located at the upper junction of the two labia minora.

Mammary Alveoli

Clusters of cells within the mammary lobes that secrete milk and store it in their lumens.

Colostrum

The milk produced during the initial few days of lactation containing IgA antibodies essential for a newborn's resistance.

Spermiogenesis

The process of transforming haploid spermatids into spermatozoa.

Spermiation

The release of sperm from the seminiferous tubules after the sperm heads have been embedded in Sertoli cells.

GnRH (Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone)

A hormone from the hypothalamus that increases at puberty to trigger the secretion of LH and FSH, initiating spermatogenesis.