Overview of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the male and female reproductive systems as described in the lecture notes.

Primary Sex Organs

Gonads; testes in males and ovaries in females that produce gametes and secrete sex hormones.

Seminiferous Tubules

Structures in the testes that produce sperm and convey sperm to the rete testis.

Seminiferous Tubules

Structures in the testes that mature sperm and convey sperm to the rete testis.

Spermiogenesis

The process of sperm maturation occurring within the seminiferous tubules of the epididymis

Oogenesis

The process of producing female sex cells by meiosis.

Follicular Phase

The period of follicle growth in the ovarian cycle, from Day 1 to Day 14.

Primary Spermatocyte

A diploid cell produced from a spermatogonium that undergoes meiosis I to form secondary spermatocytes.

Meiosis I in Spermatogenesis

A primary spermatocyte (2n) undergoes this division to produce two haploid (n) secondary spermatocytes.

Secondary Spermatocyte

Haploid cells formed after meiosis I of a primary spermatocyte, which then immediately undergo meiosis II.

Meiosis II in Spermatogenesis

Two secondary spermatocytes (n) each undergo this division, resulting in four haploid (n) spermatids.

Spermatids

The haploid cells formed after meiosis II in spermatogenesis, which then undergo spermiogenesis to become spermatozoa.

Overall Yield of Spermatogenesis

One primary spermatocyte ultimately produces four functional haploid spermatozoa.

Sperm Head

Contains the nucleus with DNA and the enzyme-filled acrosome.

Sperm Midpiece

Contains numerous mitochondria that provide ATP for tail movement.

Sperm Tail (Flagellum)

A long, whip-like structure that propels the sperm towards the egg.

Rete Testis

A network of tubules within the testis that receives sperm from the seminiferous tubules and conveys them to the epididymis.

Capacitation

The final maturation step for sperm, occurring in the female reproductive tract, which enables them to fertilize an egg.

Leydig Cells (Interstitial Cells)

Cells in the connective tissue surrounding the seminiferous tubules that produce androgens, primarily testosterone.

Sustentacular Cells (Sertoli Cells)

Cells that assist in the growth and development of sperm, form the blood-testis barrier, and secrete ABP and inhibin.

Blood-Testis Barrier

Formed by tight junctions between sustentacular cells, preventing immune attacks on developing sperm.

Epididymis

Site where sperm mature and are stored until ejaculation.

Ductus Deferens (Vas Deferens)

Tube that transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.

Seminal Vesicles

Glands that produce a yellowish, alkaline fluid containing fructose, citric acid, and prostaglandins, contributing to semen volume.

Prostate Gland

Gland that secretes a milky, slightly acidic fluid containing citrate, enzymes, and PSA, enhancing sperm motility.

Bulbo-Urethral Glands (Cowper's Glands)

Glands that produce thick, clear mucus for lubrication and neutralizing acid in the urethra.

Semen

Milky white mixture of sperm and accessory gland secretions ejected during ejaculation.

Ejaculation

The propulsion of semen from the male duct system.

Dartos Muscle

Smooth muscle in the scrotal wall that wrinkles the scrotum and pulls testes closer to the body for temperature regulation.

Cremaster Muscle

Skeletal muscle that elevates or suspends the testes in the scrotum, also for temperature regulation.

Androgens

Male sex hormones, predominantly testosterone, produced by the testes.

Testosterone

The primary male sex hormone responsible for the development of male reproductive tissues and secondary sexual characteristics.

GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone)

Hormone released by the hypothalamus that stimulates the anterior pituitary to secrete FSH and LH.

FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) in Males

Stimulates sustentacular cells to release androgen-binding protein (ABP).

LH (Luteinizing Hormone) in Males

Stimulates Leydig cells to secrete testosterone.

Androgen-Binding Protein (ABP)

Protein produced by sustentacular cells that keeps testosterone levels high in the seminiferous tubules to stimulate spermatogenesis.

Inhibin (Male)

Hormone released by sustentacular cells when sperm count is high, inhibiting GnRH and FSH release.

PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)

A protein produced by prostate cells; elevated levels may indicate prostate cancer.

Acrosome

A cap-like structure on sperm's head containing enzymes necessary for fertilization.

Oogenesis

The process of producing female sex cells (ova) by meiosis.

Oogonia

Female stem cells that multiply rapidly in the fetal period and differentiate into primary oocytes.

Primary Oocytes

Immature egg cells present at birth, arrested in prophase I until puberty.

Initiation of Meiosis I in Oogenesis

Starts during fetal development but arrests in prophase I, resuming at puberty.

Meiosis I completion in Oogenesis

A primary oocyte completes meiosis I after puberty, producing a large secondary oocyte and a small first polar body.

Secondary Oocyte

The large cell formed after meiosis I completion, destined to be ovulated; arrested in metaphase II and completes meiosis II only if fertilized.

Completion of Meiosis II in Oogenesis

Only occurs if the secondary oocyte is fertilized by a sperm.

First Polar Body

A small cell produced during meiosis I of oogenesis, usually degenerates and is non-functional.

Second Polar Body

A small cell produced along with the ovum upon completion of meiosis II during oogenesis, if fertilization occurs.

Fate of Polar Bodies

Polar bodies are non-functional and typically degenerate, serving primarily to discard excess chromosomes during oogenesis while preserving cytoplasm for the ovum.

Functional Gamete (Oogenesis)

Only one functional ovum is typically produced from each primary oocyte, unlike spermatogenesis which produces four functional sperm.

Ovum

The mature female gamete, formed after the completion of meiosis II upon fertilization.

Zygote

A fertilized egg, formed by the fusion of a sperm and an ovum, marking the beginning of embryonic development.

Secondary Sex Organs (Female)

Uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, and external genitalia (vulva).

Uterine Tubes (Fallopian Tubes)

Ducts that receive the ovulated oocyte and are the usual site of fertilization.

Fimbriae

Ciliated finger-like projections at the end of the uterine tubes that sweep the ovulated oocyte into the tube.

Uterus

Hollow, thick-walled muscular organ that receives, retains, and nourishes a fertilized ovum.

Perimetrium

The outermost serous layer of the uterine wall, part of the visceral peritoneum.

Myometrium

The bulky middle layer of the uterine wall, composed of smooth muscle, responsible for contractions during childbirth.

Endometrium

The mucosal lining of the uterus; it undergoes cyclic changes and sheds during menstruation if no pregnancy occurs.

Stratum Functionalis (Functional Layer)

The layer of the endometrium that undergoes cyclic changes and is shed during menstruation.

Stratum Basalis (Basal Layer)

The deeper permanent layer of the endometrium that forms a new functional layer after menstruation.

Cervical Canal

The cavity of the cervix that connects the uterus and the vagina.

Vagina

Birth canal and copulatory organ, extending from the uterus to the exterior.

Greater Vestibular Glands (Bartholin's Glands)

Glands that release mucus into the vestibule for lubrication during sexual arousal.

Clitoris

A small, erectile organ in females, homologous to the penis, primarily involved in sexual sensation.

Labia Majora

The larger, outer folds of skin protecting the female external genitalia.

Labia Minora

The smaller, inner folds of skin, highly vascular, contributing to sexual arousal and protecting the vestibule.

Vestibule (Female)

The central part of the vulva, enclosed by the labia minora, containing the urethral and vaginal openings.

Mammary Glands

Modified sweat glands within the breasts that produce milk for nourishment of offspring.

Estrogens

Female sex hormones produced by the ovaries, involved in the regulation of the reproductive system and development of female characteristics.

Progesterone

Female sex hormone primarily involved in preparing the uterus for pregnancy and maintaining pregnancy, secreted by the corpus luteum.

Ovarian Cycle

Monthly cycle of follicle development, ovulation, and corpus luteum formation in the ovaries.

Follicular Phase

The period of follicle growth in the ovarian cycle, from Day 1 to Day 14, dominated by estrogen secretion.

Graafian Follicle (Mature Follicle)

A large, fluid-filled dominant follicle that ruptures during ovulation to release a secondary oocyte.

Ovulation

The ejection of the secondary oocyte from the mature follicle, typically around Day 14 of the ovarian cycle, triggered by an LH surge.

Mittelschmerz

Pain felt during ovulation; associated with the rupture of the ovarian follicle.

Luteal Phase

The period after ovulation when the ruptured follicle transforms into the corpus luteum (Day 15 to Day 28), secreting progesterone and estrogen.

Corpus Luteum

Temporary endocrine structure that forms after ovulation and secretes progesterone and estrogen to maintain the uterine lining.

Corpus Albicans

Scar tissue formed from the degeneration of the corpus luteum if pregnancy does not occur.

Uterine Cycle (Menstrual Cycle)

Cyclic changes in the endometrium of the uterus in response to ovarian hormones.

Menstrual Phase

The phase in the uterine cycle where the uterus sheds most of its endometrium, occurring from Day 1 to Day 5.

Proliferative Phase

The phase in the uterine cycle (Day 6 to Day 14) where the endometrium rebuilds itself in response to rising estrogen levels.

Secretory Phase

The phase in the uterine cycle (Day 15 to Day 28) where the endometrium prepares for implantation, becoming rich in nutrients, due to progesterone.

FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) in Females

Stimulates follicle growth and maturation in the ovaries.

LH (Luteinizing Hormone) in Females

Triggers ovulation and stimulates the remaining follicle cells to form the corpus luteum and secrete progesterone/estrogen.

Inhibin (Female)

Hormone released by granulosa cells of the follicle, inhibiting FSH release.

Prostaglandins

Compounds that decrease cervical mucus viscosity and stimulate uterine contractions to facilitate sperm movement.

Perineum

The diamond-shaped region between the pubic arch and coccyx, bordered by the ischial tuberosities.