Chapter 27: The Reproductive System

seminiferous tubules

seminiferous tubules

From the lumen of the ________, the immotile sperm are surrounded by testicular fluid and moved to the epididymis (plural= epididymides), a coiled tube attached to the testis where newly formed sperm continue to mature.

menarche

The first menses after puberty, called ________, can occur either before or after the first ovulation.

sustentacular cells

In males, secretions from ________ trigger a degradation of the female duct, called the Müllerian duct.

spermatogonia

The process that begins with ________ and concludes with the production of sperm is called spermatogenesis.

external female reproductive structures

The ________ are referred to collectively as the vulva.

female gonads

The ovaries are the ________.

Puberty

is the stage of development at which individuals become sexually mature.

Wolffian duct

At the same time, testosterone secretion stimulates growth of the male tract, the

Müllerian duct

In males, secretions from sustentacular cells trigger a degradation of the female duct, called the

menarche

The first menses after puberty, called

cervix

The _ is the narrow inferior portion of the uterus that projects into the vagina.

body of uterus

The middle section of the uterus is called the ___ (or corpus).

fundus

The portion of the uterus superior to the opening of the uterine tubes is called the

ampulla

The middle region of the tube, called the

isthmus

is the narrow medial end of each uterine tube that is connected to the uterus.

uterine tubes

(also called fallopian tubes or oviducts) serve as the conduit of the oocyte from the ovary to the uterus

tertiary follicles (or antral follicles)

Follicles in which the antrum has become large and fully formed are considered

antrum

A thick fluid, called follicular fluid, that has formed between the granulosa cells also begins to collect into one large pool, or

primary follicles

After puberty, a few primordial follicles will respond to a recruitment signal each day, and will join a pool of immature growing follicles called

granulosa cells

Primordial follicles have only a single flat layer of support cells, called

primordial follicles

are present in newborn females and are the prevailing follicle type in the adult ovary

oogonia

The process begins with the ovarian stem cells, or

oogenesis

Gametogenesis in females is called

ovarian cycle

is a set of predictable changes in a female’s oocytes and ovarian follicles.

follicle

This grouping of an oocyte and its supporting cells is called a

corpus cavernosum

Each of the two larger lateral chambers is called a __ (plural = corpora cavernosa).

broad ligament

The ovaries are located within the pelvic cavity, and are supported by the mesovarium, an extension of the peritoneum that connects the ovaries to the

hymen

is a thin membrane that sometimes partially covers the entrance to the vagina.

labia majora

(labia = “lips”; majora = “larger”) are folds of hair-covered skin that begin just posterior to the mons pubis.

mons pubis

is a pad of fat that is located at the anterior, over the pubic bone. After puberty, it becomes covered in pubic hair.

Leydig cells

Testosterone, an androgen, is a steroid hormone produced by

prepuce (or foreskin)

The skin from the shaft extends down over the glans and forms a collar called the

glans penis

, has a high concentration of nerve endings, resulting in very sensitive skin that influences the likelihood of ejaculation.

corpus spongiosum

which can be felt as a raised ridge on the erect penis, is a smaller chamber that surrounds the spongy, or penile, urethra.

spermatic cord

The ductus deferens is a thick, muscular tube that is bundled together inside the scrotum with connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves into a structure called the

ductus deferens

During ejaculation, sperm exit the tail of the epididymis and are pushed by smooth muscle contraction to the

spermiogenesis

transforms these early spermatids, reducing the cytoplasm, and beginning the formation of the parts of a true sperm.

spermatogenesis

The process that begins with spermatogonia and concludes with the production of sperm is called

spermatogonia

(singular = spermatogonium), line the basement membrane inside the tubule.

Sertoli cells

Surrounding all stages of the developing sperm cells are elongate, branching

gamete

is a specialized sex cell carrying 23 chromosomes one half the number in body cells.

sperm

At fertilization, the chromosomes in one male gamete, called a

scrotum

The testes are located in a skin-covered, highly pigmented, muscular sack called the

thick fluid

A(n) ________, called follicular fluid, that has formed between the granulosa cells also begins to collect into one large pool, or antrum.

testes

(singular = testis) are the male gonads that is, the male reproductive organs.

pregnancy

If no ________ occurs, the lining of the uterus is shed, resulting in a menstrual period.