Principles of Anatomy & Physiology – Chapter 28: The Reproductive Systems

These 80 question-and-answer flashcards review key anatomy, physiology, hormones, development, and clinical concepts of the male and female reproductive systems as presented in Chapter 28 of Tortora & Derrickson’s Principles of Anatomy and Physiology.

What internal structures divide the scrotum into two compartments?

The dartos muscle and a subcutaneous layer.

Which connective-tissue capsule lies deep to the tunica vaginalis on the testes?

Tunica albuginea.

In which testicular structures does spermatogenesis occur?

Seminiferous tubules.

What diploid stem cells initiate spermatogenesis?

Spermatogonia.

Meiosis I of a primary spermatocyte produces what cells?

Two haploid secondary spermatocytes.

How many spermatids arise from one secondary spermatocyte after meiosis II?

Two spermatids (four per original primary spermatocyte).

Which part of a sperm contains enzymes that aid in penetrating the oocyte?

The acrosome on the head.

Which anterior-pituitary hormone stimulates Leydig (interstitial) cells to secrete testosterone?

Luteinizing hormone (LH).

Which pituitary hormone directly stimulates spermatogenesis?

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

Which hormone from sustentacular (Sertoli) cells inhibits FSH release?

Inhibin.

Name the three segments of the male urethra in order from internal to external.

Prostatic, intermediate (membranous), and spongy (penile) urethra.

Where do sperm mature and become motile?

In the epididymis.

Which duct transports sperm from epididymis to the ejaculatory duct?

Ductus (vas) deferens.

List two non-duct structures carried within the spermatic cord.

Testicular artery and pampiniform plexus veins (also autonomic nerves, lymphatics, cremaster muscle).

Which accessory glands secrete an alkaline, fructose-rich fluid?

Seminal vesicles.

Which single gland secretes a milky, slightly acidic fluid containing citric acid and proteolytic enzymes?

The prostate gland.

Which glands secrete alkaline mucus for lubrication during arousal?

Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands.

What is the normal pH range of semen?

Approximately 7.2 – 7.7.

Penile erection results primarily from what autonomic activity?

Parasympathetic-mediated vasodilation of penile arterioles.

Name the main skeletal muscles that contract to expel semen during ejaculation.

Bulbospongiosus, ischiocavernosus, and superficial transverse perineal muscles.

The ovaries are homologous to which male organs?

The testes.

Which ligament anchors the ovary to the uterus?

Ovarian ligament.

List the four histological layers of the ovary from superficial to deep.

Germinal epithelium, tunica albuginea, ovarian cortex, ovarian medulla.

A fully mature ovarian follicle ready to rupture is called what?

A mature (Graafian) follicle.

Which hormones are secreted by the corpus luteum?

Progesterone, estrogens, inhibin, and relaxin.

What specific cell is released during ovulation?

A haploid secondary oocyte.

Which region of the uterine tube is the usual site of fertilization?

The ampulla.

Name the three tissue layers of a uterine (fallopian) tube.

Mucosa, muscularis, and serosa.

List the three layers of the uterine wall.

Perimetrium, myometrium, and endometrium.

Which endometrial layer is shed during menstruation?

Stratum functionalis.

Cervical mucus becomes thin, less viscous, and more alkaline during what phase?

Ovulation.

What are the transverse folds of the vaginal mucosa called?

Rugae.

Collectively, what term refers to the female external genitalia?

The vulva (pudendum).

Which female glands are homologous to the prostate and secrete mucus near the urethra?

Paraurethral (Skene’s) glands.

The bulb of the vestibule is homologous to which male erectile tissue?

Corpus spongiosum penis and bulb of penis.

What male structure is homologous to the clitoris?

Glans penis (and corpora cavernosa).

Each lobe of a mammary gland contains smaller units called what?

Lobules with milk-secreting alveoli.

Which hormone surge directly triggers ovulation?

The LH surge.

Name the four phases of a typical female reproductive cycle in order.

Menstrual, preovulatory (proliferative), ovulation, postovulatory (secretory).

Which hormone predominates during the postovulatory (secretory) phase?

Progesterone from the corpus luteum.

State the average ejaculate volume and sperm concentration.

About 2.5–5 mL containing 50–150 million sperm per mL.

What is the failure rate of complete abstinence as birth control?

0 % (perfect and typical use).

What surgical sterilization procedure is performed on males?

Vasectomy.

Combined oral contraceptives contain which two hormone types?

Estrogens and progestin.

Which category of birth control includes condoms and diaphragms?

Barrier methods.

The rhythm method avoids intercourse during which part of the cycle?

The fertile window around ovulation.

Müllerian-inhibiting substance causes regression of which embryonic ducts?

Paramesonephric (Müllerian) ducts in males.

Testosterone promotes development of which embryonic ducts into male structures?

Mesonephric (Wolffian) ducts.

Prior to sexual differentiation, what four external structures are present in all embryos?

Genital tubercle, urethral (urogenital) folds, urethral groove, and labioscrotal swellings.

The onset of first menstruation is termed what?

Menarche.

Age-related enlargement of the prostate is called what?

Benign prostatic hypertrophy.

How do androgens affect skeletal muscle?

They stimulate muscle growth (anabolism/protein synthesis).

Which sexually transmitted disease is caused by Treponema pallidum?

Syphilis.

Which uterine layer is composed of three layers of smooth muscle?

The myometrium.

Spiral arterioles supply which endometrial layer that is shed monthly?

The stratum functionalis.

Which hormone in women under 50 helps lower blood cholesterol levels?

Estrogens.

Which muscle elevates the testes toward the body for temperature regulation?

The cremaster muscle.

Which testicular cells secrete androgen-binding protein (ABP)?

Sustentacular (Sertoli) cells.

What is the role of androgen-binding protein?

It binds and concentrates testosterone in seminiferous tubules to promote spermatogenesis.

Conversion of spermatids into mature spermatozoa is called what?

Spermiogenesis.

Where are the mitochondria located in a sperm cell?

In the middle piece.

Which peritoneum-derived layer partially covers each testis?

Tunica vaginalis.

Typical length of a normal female cycle ranges between what?

24 – 36 days.

Which ligament contains the ovarian blood vessels?

Suspensory ligament of the ovary.

Which corpus luteum hormone relaxes the uterus and pubic symphysis?

Relaxin.

Name a birth control device that releases copper inside the uterus.

Copper T 380A intrauterine device (IUD).

Emergency contraception requires two high-dose hormone pills; when are they taken?

One within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse and the second 12 hours later.

What is the functional secretory unit of a mammary gland?

An alveolus (plural alveoli).

Which glands provide vaginal lubrication during arousal?

Greater vestibular (Bartholin’s) glands.

Which nerve accompanies the spermatic cord through the inguinal canal?

The ilioinguinal nerve.

Which section of the male urethra passes through the prostate?

Prostatic urethra.

The ejaculatory ducts form by union of what two structures?

The ampulla of the ductus deferens and the duct of the seminal vesicle.

In which meiotic phase are primary oocytes arrested until puberty?

Prophase I.

Secondary oocytes are arrested in which phase until fertilization?

Metaphase II.

What term describes the forceful expulsion of semen from the urethra?

Ejaculation.

Which testicular cells produce testosterone?

Interstitial (Leydig) cells.

Which accessory glands provide fructose-rich nourishment for sperm?

Seminal vesicles.

What normal characteristic of vaginal fluid helps inhibit microbial growth?

Its acidic pH.

Which STD caused by human papillomavirus results in genital growths?

Genital warts.

Which hypothalamic hormone controls release of LH and FSH?

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).