MCN Week 2: Reproductive Development and Sexual Health

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering male and female reproductive anatomy, hormonal regulation, the menstrual cycle, and sexual health terms based on the lecture notes.

Reproductive Development

Focuses on the growth and maturation of the reproductive system including puberty, fertility, menstruation, and reproductive aging.

Sexual Health

Focuses on overall well-being related to sexuality and sexual relationships including physical, emotional, mental, and social aspects.

Adrenarche

The stage when the adrenal glands begin producing hormones (androgens), leading to pubic and underarm hair, body odor, and oily skin before full puberty.

Andrology

The branch of medicine specializing in the male reproductive system and male health, specifically fertility and sexual disorders.

Anteflexion

A normal position of the uterus where the body of the uterus bends forward over the cervix.

Anteversion

A normal position of the uterus in which the uterus tilts forward toward the urinary bladder.

Aspermia

The complete absence of semen during ejaculation.

Bicornuate uterus

A congenital condition where the uterus has two "horns" because it did not fully develop into a single uterine cavity.

Biologic gender

A classification as male, female, or intersex based on chromosomes, reproductive organs, and hormones; set at conception.

Culdoscopy

A procedure using a scope inserted through the posterior vaginal wall to examine pelvic organs; largely replaced by laparoscopy.

Cystocele

A condition where the urinary bladder bulges into the front wall of the vagina due to weakened pelvic muscles; also called anterior vaginal prolapse.

Dyspareunia

Persistent or recurrent pain during or after sexual intercourse.

Erectile dysfunction (ED)

The inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity.

Gender identity

A person's internal sense of being male, female, both, neither, or another gender.

Gender role

The behaviors, attitudes, and responsibilities that society expects of individuals based on their gender.

Gonad

A reproductive organ that produces sex cells (gametes) and hormones, specifically the testes in males and ovaries in females.

Gynecology

The branch of medicine focusing on the health of the female reproductive system.

Gynecomastia

Enlargement of breast tissue in males caused by hormonal imbalance, medications, or medical conditions.

Laparoscopy

A minimally invasive surgery where a camera is inserted through small abdominal incisions to examine or treat pelvic organs.

Menarche

The first menstrual period, marking the start of reproductive capability in females.

Menopause

The permanent cessation of menstruation for $12$ consecutive months due to declining ovarian function; average age is $51$ years.

Menorrhagia

Abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding occurring at regular intervals.

Metrorrhagia

Uterine bleeding occurring at irregular times between normal menstrual periods.

Oocyte

An immature female reproductive cell (egg) that can develop into a mature ovum.

Premature ejaculation

Ejaculation that occurs sooner than desired during sexual activity with little or no control.

Puberty

The period during which a child's body matures into an adult body capable of reproduction.

Rectocele

A bulging of the rectum into the back wall of the vagina due to weakened pelvic support tissues.

Retroflexion

A position in which the body of the uterus bends backward toward the rectum.

Retroversion

A position where the entire uterus tilts backward toward the spine instead of forward.

Spermatic cord

A cord-like structure containing the vas deferens, blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves supplying the testes.

Thelarche

The beginning of breast development, usually the first visible sign of puberty in females.

Transsexual

An older term for a person whose gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth; "transgender" is now preferred.

Vaginismus

An involuntary tightening of pelvic floor muscles surrounding the vagina, making penetration painful or difficult.

Voyeurism

Sexual arousal from secretly observing unsuspecting individuals who are naked or engaged in sexual activity.

GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone)

A hormone released by the hypothalamus that stimulates the anterior pituitary to release FSH and LH.

Intrauterine Development

The formation of the reproductive system starting at conception; reproductive sex is determined by XX (Female) or XY (Male) chromosomes.

Crytorchidism

A condition characterized by undescended testes, which can reduce fertility and increase the risk of testicular cancer.

Scrotum

A structure that protects the testes and regulates temperature; sperm production requires a temperature about $1^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($0.5^{\circ}\text{C}$) lower than body temperature.

Epididymis

The site where sperm are stored and mature, which takes approximately $65-75$ days.

Vas Deferens

Tubes that carry sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts; the site of a vasectomy.

Seminal Vesicles

Glands that produce fructose-rich alkaline fluid to nourish sperm and improve movement; accounts for $60\%$ of semen composition.

Prostate Gland

Produces alkaline fluid to protect sperm from the acidic urethra; accounts for $30\%$ of semen composition.

Bulbourethral (Cowper's) Glands

Glands that produce alkaline mucus to lubricate the urethra and neutralize acidity.

Bartholin Glands

Vulvovaginal glands that lubricate the vaginal opening during intercourse.

Perineum

The muscular area between the vagina and anus that stretches during childbirth and is strengthened by Kegel exercises.

Ampulla

The portion of the fallopian tube that is the most common site of fertilization.

Endometrium

The inner uterine layer that thickens monthly, serves as the site of implantation, and is shed during menstruation.

Myometrium

The middle muscle layer of the uterus responsible for labor contractions; also where fibroids arise.

Vagina pH

Normally acidic ($\text{pH} \approx 4$) due to Lactobacilli producing lactic acid, which helps prevent infection.

Oxytocin

Hormone released by the posterior pituitary that stimulates the milk let-down reflex.

FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)

Released by the pituitary to stimulate the growth of ovarian follicles and increase estrogen production.

LH (Luteinizing Hormone)

Triggers ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum.

Graafian Follicle

The name for a mature follicle that is ready for ovulation.

Corpus Luteum

A hormone-secreting structure formed after ovulation that produces progesterone to thicken the uterine lining.

Basal Body Temperature (BBT)

A fertility indicator where temperature drops slightly before ovulation and rises about $0.5-1^{\circ}\text{F}$ ($\approx 0.3-0.6^{\circ}\text{C}$) after ovulation.

Proliferative Phase

The first phase of the uterine cycle where estrogen rebuilds and thickens the endometrium.

Secretory Phase

The phase where progesterone makes the endometrium thick, soft, and rich in nutrients for potential implantation.

Ischemic Phase

The phase occurring if pregnancy does not happen; progesterone decreases and the endometrium begins to break down.

Ferning Test

A test where dried cervical mucus shows a fern leaf pattern under a microscope due to high estrogen, indicating ovulation is near.

Spinnbarkeit Test

A measurement of the stretchiness of cervical mucus; high stretchiness indicates approaching ovulation.

Climacteric

The entire transition period from reproductive to non-reproductive years.