Chapter 23 – Male & Female Reproductive Systems: Core Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering major structures, hormones, processes, disorders, and clinical terms from Chapter 23 on the male and female reproductive systems.

Gamete

A specialized sex cell; spermatozoon in males and ovum in females.

Meiosis

Type of cell division that halves chromosome number to form gametes.

Spermatozoon (plural spermatozoa)

Male gamete produced in the testes; motile cell that fertilizes the ovum.

Ovum (plural ova)

Female gamete released from the ovary during ovulation.

Testis (plural testes)

Male gonad that produces spermatozoa and testosterone.

Ovary

Female gonad that houses ovarian follicles and produces ova, estrogen, and progesterone.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Anterior-pituitary hormone that stimulates spermatogenesis in males and follicle growth in females.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Anterior-pituitary hormone that triggers testosterone secretion in males and ovulation / corpus luteum formation in females.

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)

Hypothalamic hormone that promotes release of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary.

Testosterone

Principal male sex hormone; sustains sperm production and secondary sex characteristics.

Estrogen

Female sex hormone produced mainly by ovarian follicles; proliferates endometrium and develops female characteristics.

Progesterone

Ovarian hormone from corpus luteum; maintains endometrium in post-ovulatory (luteal) phase.

Corpus Luteum

Yellow glandular body formed from a ruptured follicle; secretes estrogen and progesterone.

Ovarian Follicle

Structure in the ovary that encases the oocyte and secretes estrogen.

Endometrium

Inner mucosal lining of the uterus that thickens and sheds during menstrual cycles.

Menstruation (Menses)

Periodic shedding of the endometrial lining when fertilization does not occur.

Menopause

Permanent cessation of menstrual cycles due to decline of ovarian hormone production.

Seminiferous Tubule

Coiled tubule within the testis where spermatogenesis occurs.

Epididymis

Coiled tube on testis surface that stores and matures spermatozoa.

Ductus (Vas) Deferens

Muscular tube transporting sperm from epididymis to ejaculatory duct.

Seminal Vesicle

Paired exocrine gland producing alkaline, fructose-rich fluid that forms bulk of semen.

Prostate Gland

Gland inferior to bladder; secretes alkaline fluid that neutralizes vaginal acidity.

Bulbourethral (Cowper) Gland

Paired gland in pelvic floor that secretes mucus to lubricate urethra and penis tip.

Semen

Mixture of spermatozoa and secretions from accessory glands; nourishes, transports, and protects sperm.

Acrosome

Cap-like structure on sperm head containing enzymes for ovum penetration.

Flagellum

Tail of a sperm cell responsible for motility.

Sustentacular (Sertoli) Cell

Supporting cell in seminiferous tubules that nurtures developing sperm and secretes survival factors.

Interstitial (Leydig) Cell

Endocrine cell between seminiferous tubules that secretes testosterone.

Spermatogenesis

Process of sperm cell formation in the testes.

Erection

Penile engorgement as corpora cavernosa fill with blood.

Ejaculation

Expulsion of semen through the urethra.

Corpus Cavernosum

One of two erectile columns of penile tissue responsible for rigidity.

Corpus Spongiosum

Erectile tissue surrounding the urethra; forms the glans penis.

Prepuce

Foreskin; fold of skin covering the glans penis.

Cryptorchidism

Failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum.

Testicular Torsion

Twisting of the spermatic cord cutting off blood supply to the testis.

Inguinal Hernia

Protrusion of abdominal contents through the inguinal canal into the scrotum.

Prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate gland.

Epididymitis

Inflammation of the epididymis, often due to infection.

Orchitis

Inflammation of the testis.

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)

Noncancerous enlargement of the prostate that may obstruct urine flow.

Oligospermia

Low sperm count leading to potential male infertility.

Uterus

Pear-shaped muscular organ where the fetus develops; composed of body, fundus, and cervix.

Cervix

Narrow, inferior neck of the uterus opening into the vagina.

Fundus

Rounded superior portion of the uterus above uterine tube entry.

Myometrium

Thick muscular middle layer of the uterine wall.

Perimetrium (Peritoneum)

Outer serous layer covering the uterus.

Uterine (Fallopian) Tube

Duct from ovary to uterus; usual site of fertilization.

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections at the distal end of the uterine tube that sweep the ovum toward the tube.

Vagina

Muscular canal from cervix to external genitalia; receives penis and serves as birth canal.

Hymen

Thin mucous membrane partially covering the vaginal opening.

Vulva

Collective external female genitalia including labia, clitoris, and vestibule.

Labia Majora

Outer folds of skin that protect the female external genitalia.

Clitoris

Erectile female organ homologous to the penis; rich in sensory nerves.

Perineum

Region between the vaginal opening (or scrotum) and anus.

Endometriosis

Presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus causing pain and infertility.

Amenorrhea

Absence of menstrual periods.

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation.

Fibroid (Myoma)

Benign uterine smooth-muscle tumor.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Infection of female reproductive organs often caused by STIs, leading to infertility.

Salpingitis

Inflammation of the uterine tubes.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Viral infection linked to cervical cancer and genital warts.

Pap Smear

Screening test that collects cervical cells to detect cancerous changes.

Contraception

Use of artificial or natural methods to prevent fertilization of an ovum.

Vasectomy

Surgical sterilization in males by cutting the ductus deferens.

Tubal Ligation

Surgical sterilization in females by severing or blocking uterine tubes.

Mifepristone (RU-486)

Drug that terminates early pregnancy by antagonizing progesterone.

Infertility

Inability of a couple to achieve pregnancy after 1 year of unprotected intercourse.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Assisted reproductive technique where ova are fertilized in a lab and embryos transferred to the uterus.