Anatomy and Physiology – Lymphatic, Urinary, and Reproductive Systems

Vocabulary flashcards detailing key terminology, structural measurements, physiological roles, and pathologies of the lymphatic, urinary, and reproductive systems.

Lymphatic Tissue Drainage

The process by which the lymphatic system reabsorbs and drains $3\text{--}4\,\text{L}$ of fluid daily from tissues back into systemic circulation, out of the $21\,\text{L}$ of blood plasma filtered and leaked each day.

Lymph

A clear, watery fluid similar in composition to blood plasma but without plasma proteins; it transports lymphocytes (derived from red bone marrow), leaked plasma proteins, and filtered cellular debris.

Lymph Capillaries

Microscopic, blind-ended tubes originating in interstitial tissue spaces that are highly permeable to all interstitial fluid components, including proteins and cell debris.

Large Lymph Vessels

Vessels running alongside arteries and veins containing rhythmic smooth muscle and valves to maintain unidirectional fluid flow, emptying lymph into the subclavian veins in the neck via two main ducts.

Lymphadenopathy

A pathological state characterized by the enlargement or swelling of one or more lymph nodes.

Lymphoedema

A chronic condition characterized by tissue swelling—often categorized into four progressive stages—resulting from compromised or obstructed lymphatic drainage.

Reed-Sternberg Cells

Distinctive, giant multinucleated or bilobed abnormal lymphocytes diagnostic of Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Urinary System Anatomy

The anatomical tract comprising $2$ kidneys, $2$ ureters, $1$ urinary bladder, and $1$ urethra responsible for urine formation and excretion.

Kidneys

Bean-shaped retroperitoneal organs weighing $150\,\text{g}$ (measuring $11\,\text{cm}$ in length, $6\,\text{cm}$ in width, and $3\,\text{cm}$ in thickness) located in the abdominal cavity between the $12\text{th}$ thoracic vertebra and the $3\text{rd}$ lumbar vertebra.

Ureters

Bilateral muscular tubular ducts measuring $25\text{--}30\,\text{cm}$ in length that propel urine from the renal pelvis of the kidneys to the urinary bladder via peristalsis.

Urinary Bladder

A pear-shaped muscular reservoir in the pelvic cavity that expands into a balloon shape in the abdominal cavity when filled, holding a total capacity of approximately $600\,\text{mL}$.

Urethra

The canal running from the neck of the bladder to the external urethral orifice that eliminates urine from the body, measuring $19\text{--}20\,\text{cm}$ in males and approximately $4\,\text{cm}$ in length and $6\,\text{mm}$ in width in females.

Urine

A clear, amber-colored fluid excreted at a volume of $1000\text{--}1500\,\text{mL}$ per day, typically composed of $96\%$ water, $2\%$ urea, and $2\%$ other salts, proteins, and hormones.

Parturition

The physiological process of childbirth, identified as one of the primary functions of the female reproductive system.

Vulva

The collective term for the female external genitalia, including the labia majora, labia minora, vestibule, vestibular glands, and clitoris.

Hymen

A thin fold of mucous membrane that partially occludes the vaginal orifice until torn by tampon use or sexual intercourse.

Vaginal Tissue Layers

The three anatomical layers forming the vaginal canal: outer areolar tissue, middle smooth muscle, and inner squamous epithelium.

Fundus

The dome-shaped superior portion of the uterus located above the entry points of the uterine tubes, which can be palpated abdominally during pregnancy.

Uterine Wall Layers

The three structural tissue coats of the uterus: outer perimetrium, middle muscular myometrium, and inner vascular mucosal endometrium.

Endometrium

The inner mucosal lining of the uterus, subdivided into a superficial functional layer that sheds during menstruation and a deep basal layer that embeds and nourishes the developing zygote.

Uterine Tubes

Paired muscular canals that propel mature ova from the ovaries to the uterine cavity via rhythmic peristalsis and ciliary movement.

Ovaries

The female primary reproductive organs that synthesize sex hormones and house the lifetime supply of ova (no new ova form after birth), maturing and releasing an ovum each cycle.

Testes

Paired male gonads located in the scrotum outside the abdominal cavity, maintained at $3^\circ\text{C}$ below core body temperature to facilitate spermatogenesis, which commences at puberty.

Male Reproductive Tract

The interconnected organs and ducts responsible for producing, storing, and delivering spermatozoa, including the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate, and urethra.

Ejaculatory Duct

A short canal formed by the convergence of the deferent duct (vas deferens) and the duct of the seminal vesicle that propels semen into the prostatic urethra.

Prostate Gland

A fibromuscular and glandular organ situated immediately inferior to the bladder surrounding the urethra that secretes a thin, milky fluid with clotting enzymes to retain semen near the cervix.

Semen

The ejaculated fluid mixture consisting of $50\text{--}60\%$ seminal fluid, $20\text{--}30\%$ prostatic secretions, and $10\%$ spermatozoa.