Chapter 27: The Reproductive System

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.