ASCI 351 Terms

Ovary

female gonads, produces female gametes (ova) and the hormones estrogen and progesterone

Uterus

an organ where implantation and gestation occurs

Vagina

muscular tube where copulation occurs, connects external genitalia to internal

Cervix

narrow passage way forming the end of the uterus

Palpation

to feel a body or organ for signs of tenderness, swelling, or abnormalities

Oviduct

site where fertilization occurs, connects the ovary to the uterus

Myometrium

smooth muscle tissue inside of the uterus, provides motility (contractions) and in mares it’s tone can indicate high levels of estrogen

Endometrium

made up of the mucosa and submucosa, helps prepare for implantation, maintain pregnancy, and menstruation

Broad Ligament

a large fold of the peritoneum, that covers the uterus, oviducts, and ovaries

Follicle

fluid filled sacks that contain an oocyte

Corpus Luteum

produces progesterone and degenerate if pregnancy is not detected

Corpus Albicans

white, scar-like structures that are degrading corpora lutea

Corpus Hemorrhagicum

a structure that forms after ovulation when a collapsed follicle fills with blood, forming a blood clot

Progesterone

a steroid hormone that prepares the uterus for implantation or triggers a period if pregnancy is not detected

Ovarian Cortex

the outer layer of the ovary which houses the oocytes

Ovarian Medulla

central part of the ovary which houses the vasculature, nerves, and lymphatics

Primary Follicle

an oocyte that is surrounded by a singular layer of cuboidal epithelium or follicular cells, developed from primordial follicles

Secondary Follicle

two or more layers of follicle cells, without an antrum of cavity

Antral Follicle

a follicle with a fluid-filled cavity called the antrum, composed up of theca externa, theca interna, and the granulosa cell layer

Folliculogenesis

Ovulation Fossa

where ovulation occurs for in mares

Ovulation

the process in which an egg is released from the ovaries

Antrum

a fluid-filled cavity

Tertiary Follicle

a follicle with a fluid-filled cavity, same as antral follicle

Theca Externa

composed of primarily loose connective tissue that completely surrounds and supports the follicle

Theca Interna

responsible for the production of androgens under the influence of LH

Granulosa Cell Layer

produce a variety of materials and have FSH receptors, products of these cells are estrogen, inhibin, and follicular fluid

Graafian Follicle

a dominant preovulatory tertiary follicle (antral follicle)

Infundibulum

the terminal end of the oviduct, that captures newly ovulated oocyte

Ampulla

a thick portion of the oviduct, contains fern-like mucosal folds with ciliated epithelium

Isthmus

smaller than the ampulla, and is connected directly to the uterus

Columnar Epithelium

a tissue made up of column like cells, lining the stomach, intestines, and uterine tubes. Plays a role in absorption, secretion, movement and protection

Spermatogenesis

production of sperm

Epididymis

a duct behind the testis that passes sperm to the ductus deferens

Ductus Deferens

a tube that transports sperm from the epididymis to the pelvic urethra

Testes

male gonads, manufacturing and assembly plant for the spermatozoa

Spermatozoa

sperm, mature motile male sex cells

Spermatic Cord

provides the pathway to and from the body for testicular vasculature, lymphatics, and nerves. Most developed in rams and bulls

Accessory Sex Glands

glands in the male reproductive tract that produce fluid that aids sperm and sperm transport: prostate, bulbourethral glands, and seminal vesicles

Penis

male genitalia that serves as a primary transport of sperm, composed of the base, the shaft, and the glans penis

Erection

when a penis becomes rigid and enlarged

Ejaculation

when semen leaves the body through the penis

Bulbourethral Glands

small, dense, ovoid glands found on either side of the pelvic urethra. In rams, bulls, and stallion these glands are small. In boars they are very large and dense

Fibroelastic Penis

a penis with limited erectile tissue encased in tunica albuginea, found in bulls, boars, and rams

Corpus Spongiosum

spongy erectile tissue that surrounds that penile urethra

Sertoli Cells

male somatic cells that support, nourish, and regulate development of sperm within the seminiferous tubules

Spermatids

3rd stage, immature male sex cell that will develop into a spermatozoon

Spermatocytes

2nd stage, formed from a spermatogonium and will divided into spermatids

Leydig Cells

cells located in the seminiferous tubules responsible for producing testosterone

Rete Tubules

tubules that collect sperm from the seminiferous tubules and transport them to the epididymis

Cytoplasmic Droplet

membranous vesicle containing residual cytoplasm that remains attached to the sperm after it leaves the testis

Motility

the ability for an organism, cell, or substance to move independently, using its own energy

Seminal Plasma

the liquid part of semen made from male accessory sex glands

Prostate

an accessory sex gland that varies greatly in size and shape depending on the animal, the only male accessory sex glands in dogs

Vasectomy

the surgical cutting of each of the vas deferens as a means of sterilization, reversible

Sigmoid Flexure

allows penis to be retracted inside the body until erection occurs, found in animals with fibroelastic penises like bulls, boars, and rams

Parenchyma

the functional tissue of a gland that is responsible for producing gametes or hormones

Fimbriae

velverty, finger-like projections that cover the surface of the infundibulum

Uterotubal Junction

connective point where the oviduct meets the uterus

Uterine Horn

Upper part of the uterus and can contain multiple fetuses

Duplex Uterus

Has two cervical canals that separate each uterine horn into distinct compartments

Bicornuate Uterus

Two uterine horns and a small uterine body

Simplex Uterus

A single uterine body with only small structure of uterine horns

Perimetrium

the serosal layer of the uterus and is part of the peritoneum

Luteolysis

the process where the corpus luteum breaks down leading to a decline of progesterone, which occurs at the end of the menstrual cycle

Placenta

an organ that forms in the uterus that give nutrients to a fetus via the umbilical cord

Expulsion

intense uterine contractions push the fetus out of the uterus

Mucosa

moist, inner lining of organs

Uterine Gland

tubular structures in the uterus’ endometrium that secrete nutrients for the developing embryo

Prostaglandin F2a

a lipid with hormone-like effects that triggers luteolysis and can imitate labor

Caruncles

small, non-glandular areas that protrude from the surface of the endometrium in ruminants, they give the maternal portion of the placenta to the embryo

Cervical Ring

Distinct rings that protrude into the limen, seen in ruminants

Fornix Vagina

the pocket that is formed where the top of the vagina meets the cervix

Cervical Folds

loose folds of mucosa that protrude into the vagina, seen in mares

Interdigitating Prominences

a feature of the cervical canal found in sows, to accompany the boar’s corkscrew penis

Uterine Body

the main body of the uterus where the fetus develops

Cranial Vagina

Upper part of the vagina, closest to the cervix

Cervical Seal of Pregnancy

viscous mucus that temporarily glues the folds of the cervix together so that foreign material cannot enter the uterus during gestation

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

present in the caudal vagina, during estrus the epithelium thickens protecting the vagina during copulation and prevents microorganisms from gaining entrance to the submucosa

Caudal Vagina

lower portion of the vagina closest to the exterior

Labia

part of the vulva, can form a closure that minimizes entrance to vagina

Anus

a hole where solid waste leaves the body

Vulva

the external part of the female reproductive tract

Suburethral Diverticulum

a blind pouch that lies immediately ventral to the urethral opening, found in sows and cows

Clitoris

female genitalia composed of erectile tissue and is covered with stratified squamous epithelium, filled with sensory nerve endings

Scrotum

a pouch of skin containing the testes

Pelvic Urethra

a tube that carries urine, or sperm, out of the body

Retractor Penis Muscle

when contracted it holds the penis inside of the shealth, when relaxed, the penis protrudes

Cremaster Muscle

skeletal muscle surrounding the spermatic cord and testicles that raises and lowers the testes to regulate temperature

Pampiniform Plexus

veins in the spermatic cord that practice counter-current heat exchange to keep sperm cool

Countercurrent Heat Exchange

heat transfer between adjacent warm blood and cool blood to regulate temperature

Tunica Dartos

a layer of smooth muscle that contracts or relaxes to regulate the temperature of the tests

Seminiferous Tubules

tiny coiled tubes inside the testes where sperm production occurs

Short-scrotum

a small scrotum which can signal issues like hormone imbalance, cryptorchidism, or infertility

Testosterone

the male sex hormone, responsible for sex drive, hair growth, sperm production, etc

Oocyte

an egg

Vesicular Glands

aka seminal vesicles, a male accessory sex gland that produces a large portion of semen

Corpus Cavernosum

spongy, erectile tissue that makes up the majority of the penile interior