Reproductive System and Human Development Lecture Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the male and female reproductive systems, pregnancy, fetal development, and contraception based on lecture notes.

Fertilization

The process that results in the union of a male gamete and a female gamete to create a zygote.

Scrotum

A supportive structure made of loose skin and underlying hypodermis that houses the testes and maintains a temperature a few degrees below body temperature for sperm production.

Corpora Cavernosa

Two identical cylindrical masses of erectile tissue that provide the bulk of the erectile volume in the penis.

Corpus Spongiosum

The inferior mass of erectile tissue in the penis that wraps around the urethra.

Glans Penis

The expanded, distal tip of the penis containing a high concentration of sensory receptors, serving as the main erogenous zone.

Prepuce

The anatomical term for the foreskin which covers the glans penis superficially.

Cremaster Muscle

A muscle within the spermatic cord that contracts or relaxes to maintain the optimal temperature window for sperm production.

Pampiniform Plexus of Veins

A network of veins in the spermatic cord designed to maintain the optimal temperature for sperm production.

Spermatogenesis

The production of sperm through meiotic cell division, starting at puberty from stem cells called spermatogonia.

Spermiogenesis

The maturation phase of developing sperm where they shed excess cytoplasm, increase mitochondria, and form the acrosome and flagellum.

Acrosome

An organelle at the head of the sperm filled with enzymes that help the sperm break through the outer protective cells of a secondary oocyte.

Flagellum

A motile organelle (tail) that moves in a spiral or corkscrew motion to propel the sperm forward.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH) - Male

An anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates Leydig cells to secrete testosterone.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) - Male

An anterior pituitary hormone that, along with testosterone, stimulates Sertoli cells to secrete androgen-binding protein (ABP).

Sertoli Cells (Sustenocytes)

Known as "nurse cells," they produce androgen-binding protein (ABP) and inhibin, helping to regulate the rate of spermatogenesis.

Leydig Cells (Interstitial Endocrine Cells)

Cells located in the testes that produce testosterone.

Parasympathetic Nervous System (Erection)

The division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for the relaxation of arterial smooth muscle leading to engorgement of erectile tissue (pointing).

Sympathetic Nervous System (Ejaculation)

The division of the autonomic nervous system that contracts the smooth muscle of the ductus deferens and constricts penile arteries to expel semen (shooting).

Rete Testis

A web of tubules within the testes where sperm from the straight tubules gather before draining into the efferent ductules.

Epididymis

The structure where sperm complete the process of spermiogenesis and maturation.

Seminal Vesicles

Glands that contribute approximately $60\%$ of total semen volume.

Prostate

A gland that produces approximately $30\%$ of semen volume.

Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) Glands

Glands that produce approximately $10\%$ of semen, often serving to neutralize the acidity of the urethra.

Vulva

The collective term for the external genitalia of the anatomical female, including the mons pubis, labia, clitoris, and vestibule.

Mammary Glands

Modified sudoriferous (exocrine) glands organized into lobes and alveoli that function for lactation.

Vagina

A canal lined with non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium that serves as a menstrual canal, birth canal, and receptacle for the penis.

Posterior Fornix

The area of the vagina that extends postero-superiorly over the cervix, sometimes referred to as the "false cervix."

Endometrium

The innermost layer of the uterus that grows, sloughs off during the menstrual cycle, and facilitates implantation of a fertilized ovum.

Myometrium

The thick, muscular middle layer of the uterus.

Ovarian Artery

Paired arteries arising from the descending aorta inferior to the renal arteries that supply the ovaries.

Ampulla (Uterine Tube)

The specific section of the uterine tube where fertilization typically occurs.

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections at the end of the infundibulum that help sweep the secondary oocyte into the uterine tube.

Oogenesis

The process of egg formation in the ovary, where primary oocytes are all formed prior to birth.

Atresia

The process by which primary oocytes degenerate over time.

Polar Body

A small cell resulting from unequal cytoplasmic distribution during meiosis in oogenesis, which eventually discarded.

Folliculogenesis

The development of the ovarian follicle, progressing from primordial to mature (vesicular) follicles in anticipation of ovulation.

Granulosa Cells

Cuboidal cells that surround the oocyte in a primary follicle and multiply in subsequent stages.

Corona Radiata

The inner ring of granulosa cells that surrounds the zona pellucida in a tertiary follicle.

Corpus Luteum

The remnant of a mature follicle after ovulation that secretes progesterone to sustain the oocyte and build the endometrium.

Corpus Albicans

A white, fibrous scar that forms if an egg is not fertilized and the corpus luteum degenerates.

Estrogen

A hormone that stimulates the development of female reproductive structures and secondary sex characteristics and helps repair the endometrium.

Progesterone

A hormone produced by the corpus luteum that works with estrogen to prepare the endometrium for implantation and the mammary glands for milk secretion.

Capacitation

The weakening of the sperm's plasma membrane (specifically the leaching of cholesterol) to allow the acrosomal reaction to occur.

Acrosomal Reaction

The spilling of digestive enzymes from the sperm's acrosome onto the zona pellucida to allow for penetration.

Polyspermy

The donation of genetic material by more than one sperm, which leads to zygote death due to "gene overdose."

Cleavage

The first rounds of mitotic divisions of a zygote, resulting in daughter cells called blastomeres.

Morula

An $8$-cell stage embryo (at approximately $72$ hours post-fertilization) where all cells are still totipotent stem cells.

Blastocyst

The developmental stage consisting of a hollow rim of cells called the trophoblast and an inner mass of cells called the embryoblast.

Trophoblast

The outer layer of the blastocyst that will eventually become the yolk sac and the placenta.

Embryoblast

The inner cell mass of the blastocyst made of pluripotent stem cells that will form the entire embryo.

Syncytiotrophoblast

A multinuclear mass formed from the fusion of the trophoblast and the endometrium that digs into the uterine wall during implantation.

Chemical Pregnancy

A type of miscarriage where a brief spike in hCG produces a positive pregnancy test, but menstruation follows shortly after.

Ectopic Pregnancy

A non-viable pregnancy where the zygote implants in a structure other than the uterus, such as the uterine tube.

Ductus Arteriosus

A fetal circulatory structure that allows blood to bypass the fetal pulmonary circulation.

Foramen Ovale

An opening in the fetal heart that allows blood to flow from the right atrium to the left atrium, bypassing the lungs.

Luteal Cyst

A cystic body often formed by the corpus luteum on the ovary during the first $4$ weeks of pregnancy to sustain hormone levels.

Relaxin

A hormone secreted by the corpus luteum and placenta that relaxes the uterus, cervix, pubic symphysis, and other ligaments in the body.

Preeclampsia

A pregnancy complication characterized by severely high blood pressure ($140/90$ or higher) and proteinuria.

Eclampsia

A severe pregnancy complication marked by seizures in a patient with no prior history of epilepsy.

Gestational Diabetes

A disease developed during pregnancy characterized by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels measured through a glucose challenge test.

Placenta Previa

A condition where the placenta moves to block the cervical opening, usually requiring delivery via caesarean section.

Listeriosis

A food-borne illness stemming from bacteria in undercooked meats or unpasteurized foods that can cause miscarriage or preterm birth.

Toxoplasmosis

A parasitic illness often harbored in cat feces that can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or brain and eye damage in the fetus.

Gastroschisis

A birth defect where a baby's intestines or other organs extend outside of the body through a hole next to the belly button.

Rhythm Method

A contraceptive method involving tracking ovulation (via body temperature or LH spikes) to refrain from intercourse during the fertile window, rated at approximately $85\%$ effective.