Male and Female Reproductive System Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for the Male and Female Reproductive System lecture.

Gametes

The cells (sperm and egg) that combine to form a new individual of the species.

Testes

Male organ that produces sperm.

Ovaries

Female organ that produces eggs.

Uterine Tubes

Female organ that transports the eggs to the uterus.

Vagina

The female organ that receives sperm, transports menstrual fluid, and acts as the birth canal.

Uterus

The female organ that allows the fertilized egg to develop within her body.

Sex Hormones

Hormones produced by the testes and ovaries that bring about masculinization and feminization.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis

Sex hormones (Testosterones, estrogens and progesterone) have negative feedback on the pituitary and the hypothalamus.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

A hormone secreted by the hypothalamus to control the release of other pituitary (sex) hormones.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

A hormone that promotes the production of sperm and ova.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

A hormone that controls the production of male androgens (e.g., testosterone) and female estrogen and progesterone, and initiates ovulation.

Testosterone

A hormone important for the normal development and functioning of the male reproductive organs..

Inhibin

A hormone secreted by Sertoli cells in men and granulosa cells in women that inhibits the synthesis and release of FSH.

Follicles

Structures within the ovary, each containing an immature egg (oocyte).

Ovulation

The monthly release of an oocyte from the ovary when a follicle ruptures.

Estrogen

A hormone that promotes the growth of the endometrium and sex organs and prepares the uterus to receive the ovum.

Progesterone

A hormone that prepares the endometrium for ovum implantation and maintains pregnancy.

Ovarian Cycle

The formation and release of an immature egg, controlled by GnRH.

Follicular Phase

Phase of the ovarian cycle where FSH promotes the development of a follicle that secretes estrogen.

Luteal Phase

Phase of the ovarian cycle where LH promotes the development of the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone.

Uterine Cycle

A 28-day cyclic event in the uterus involving menstruation, the proliferative phase, and the secretory phase.

Menstruation

The disintegration of the endometrium due to low levels of estrogen and progesterone.

Proliferative Phase

Phase of the uterine cycle where an increase in estrogen causes the endometrium to thicken.

Secretory Phase

Phase of the uterine cycle where an increase in progesterone causes the endometrium to double or triple in thickness.

Fertilization

The union of a sperm and egg nucleus to form a zygote.

Pregnancy

Begins with implantation, usually ~6 days after fertilization.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)

Hormone secreted by the placenta to maintain the corpus luteum and stimulate progesterone secretion during pregnancy.

Placenta

Organ formed from maternal and fetal tissues that sustains the embryo and allows for exchange of materials.