bio 252 ch 28: the reproductive system

uterus

the muscular organ in which a fetus develops

ovarian follicle

a sac in which the ovum matures

hymen

a fold of membrane found covering the opening of the vagina

broad ligaments

peritoneal structures that serve as anchors for the uterus and ovaries

vagina

the muscular tube that serves as the birth canal

fallopian tube

alternate name for the oviduct

ejaculation

series of muscular contractions by which semen is expelled

follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

hormone that stimulates sertoli cells in the testis

acrosome

a cap-like covering over the head of the spermatozoon that aids in penetration of the ovum

prostate

the gland that contributes to semen and is located below the urinary bladder in the male

inguinal canal

the channel through which the testis descends before birth

vasectomy

a product for sterilizing a male by removing a portion of the ductus deferens, thus preventing spermatozoa from reaching the urethra

penis

the organ that holds the longest part of the urethra in the male, considered the organ of intromission

fornix

the circular recess formed as the uterus dips into the upper vagina

vulva

the external parts of the female reproductive system, consisting of the labia, the clitoris, and related structures

fundus

the small, rounded part of the uterus located above the openings of the oviducts

corpus luteum

the structure formed by the ruptured follicle after ovulation

cervix

the neck-like part of the uterus that dips into the upper vagina

endometrium

the specialized tissue that lines the uterus

menopause

cessation of reproduction activity in the femal

follicle stimulating hormone

a hormone from the pituitary that causes the ovum to develop

clitoris

a small, highly sensitive organ in the vulva of the female

posterior fornix

the dorsal space behind the upper vaginal canal that lies next to the deepest part of the peritoneal cavity in the femal

luteinizing hormone

hormone from the pituitary that causes rupture of the ovarian follicle and release of the ovum midway during the female reproductive cycle

estrogen

the ovarian hormone that begins the thickening of the endometrium early in the female reproductive cycle

menses

correct term for the menstrual flow

fertilization

union of a sperm and egg

oogenesis

process of egg formation in the ovary

spermatogenesis

process by which spermatogonium undergo meiosis within the testes

spermiogenesis

process by which spermatids mature into functional spermatozoans

ovulation

rupture of the secondary oocyte out of the ovary wall

implantation

attachment of the fertilzied ovum to uterine wall

seminiferous tubules

specific site where sperm formation occurs

epididymis

site of sperm maturation, storage, and reabsorption of degenerating spermatozoans

scrotum

cutaneous out-pocketing of abdomen

penis

organ of intromission

ductus deferens

tube that conducts sperm from testes to urethra

neck

contains centrioles in sperm

head

contains nucleus and enzyme housing cap to acrosome in sperm

middle

loaded with mitochondria for energy production in sperm

principal piece, end piece

from final portion of the sperm which functions for propulsion

sertoli (nurse) cells

provide nurturing environment for sperm cells

sertoli (nurse) cells

form blood-testis barrier, secretes inhibin

epididymis

sperm maturation, storage, transport

root

internal, attached portion of penis

bulb

base of corpus spongiosum

crus

base of corpus cavernosa

penile corpora

contains 3 cylindrical masses of tissue filled with sinuses

glans penis

slightly enlarged, acorn-shaped region at the distal end of the penis

seminal vesicles

secretes alkaline viscous fluid of fructose, prostaglandins, fibrinogen

seminal vesicles

accounts for 60% of seminal fluid production

prostate

secretes a milky, acidic fluid of citric acid, clotting enzymes, acid phosphatase, fibrinolysin

bulbourethral gland

secretions occur during arousal and typically do not contain sperm

seminal vesicles

located on the posterior border of the urinary bladder

prostate

doughnut shaped gland found directly under the urinary bladder

bulbourethral glands

pea shaped glands surrounding the membranous urethra

prostate

secretions account for about 25% of seminal volume

bulbourethral gland

secretes alkaline lubricant for urethra to decrease number of injured sperm

gonadotropin releasing hormone

released by hypothalamus: stimulates release of two anterior pituitary hormones

testosterone

inhibits release of GnRH

luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone

act synergistically to costimulate sertoli cells to secrete androgen binding protein which keeps testosterone concentration high near cells

luteinizing hormone

stimulates release of testosterone from leydig cells

vagina

site that receives penis

uterus

divided into fundus, body, cervix

uterine tubes

collect secondary oocyte and transport it to uterus

uterus

organ where implantation and fetus development occurs

ovaries

paired almond-sized organs where eggs are produced

vagina

birth canal

vulva

external genitalia of the female

hymen

fold of epithelium that blocks or partially blocks vaginal orifice in pre-sexually active females

labia majora

two large longitudinal folds on each side of vaginal orifice; covered in hair

ovary

female organ homologous to testes

labia minora

two folds medial to larger folds, do not have hair, contain sebaceous glands

cervix

inferior narrowed region of uterus, connects with vagina

clitoris

small, cylindrical mass of erectile tissue and nerve endings in the vulva

tunica albuginea

dense irregular connective tissue deep to germinal layer

corpus luteum

blood-filled mature follicle formed immediately after ovulation

graafian (mature) follicle

large fluid-filled follicle containing secondary oocyte; will eventually undergo ovulation to expel secondary oocyte

corpus albicans

remnants of mature follicle after it is no longer needed to secrete progesterone and estrogen, replaced by fibrous scar tissue

corpus luteum

mature follicle transforms into this immediately after ovulation; produces progesterone, estrogen, relaxin, inhibin

primordial follicle

small follicles created during embryological development, contain primary oocytes

infundibulum

distal end of uterine tubes

fimbriae

fingerlike projections of infundibulum that cover the ovary

ampulla

widest and longest medial portion of uterine tubes

isthmus

final portion of uterine tubes connected to uterus

ciliated

uterine tubes contain mucosa layer composed of this epithelium type

secreting cells

other cells found dispersed through mucosal layer

perimetrium

outer layer, part of visceral peritoneum

endometrium

general name for innermost layer, highly vascular

myometrium

middle layer composed of smooth muscle

stratum functionalis

part of innermost layer, lines lumen of uterus and is shed during menses

stratum basalis

part of innermost layer; permanent portion that is never lost used to replenish layer lost during menstruation

gonadotropin releasing hormone

from hypothalamus, stimulates release of FSH and LH

estrogen, progesterone

hormones inhibit release of FSH and LH

estrogen

stimulate development and maintenance of uterus, breasts, secondary sex characteristics, enhance protein metabolism

estrogen, progesterone

prepare endometrium for implantation of fertilized ovum, decreasing levels trigger menstruation

menstruation

first five days of uterine cycle

follicular phase

ovarian phase where FSH stimulates follicular development, resulting in formation of graafian follicle, stimulates developing follicle to secrete estrogen

ovulation

ovarian phase where LH stimulates release of mature oocyte from the ovary

luteal phase

ovarian phase where LH stimulates the remaining ovarian follicle to form corpus luteum, which secretes estrogen, progesterone, inhibin, relaxin