CHAPTER 15 The Reproductive System Victoria Villameriel

What does follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) do in males

create sperm

What does follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) do in females

stimulate ovarian follicles

What does luteinizing hormone do in males?

make testosterone

What does luteinizing hormone (LH) do in females?

make estrogen

What is puberty?

the period of sexual development

How is puberty timed between males and females?

females GENERALLY have it around 9-12, males GENERALLY have it 12-14

What is the urethral orifice?

the part of the urethra that connects to the outside

What is circumcision?

the surgical removal of the foreskin

What is the scrotum?

skin just below the penis that encloses the testes

What temperature are the testes at, and why?

normally 3 degrees lower because sperm need a cool place to be created

What is vasocongestion?

as the venous sinuses within the penis become engorged with blood the penis becomes erect

What is spermatogenesis, and how long does sperm take to mature?

the creation of sperm in the testes, which takes around 64 days to go through

What are the actions of testosterone?

1. stimulates masculinization

2. stimulates sperm production

3. stimulates anabolic biochemical reactions (ex: growth)

4. stimulates libido

What is epididymis?

20-foot long highly coiled tube for the storage of sperm

What are the vas deferens?

an 18 inch long muscular tube that passes up the inguinal canal into the abdominal cavity, uniting the seminal vesicle and prostatic urethra to form an ejaculatory duct

What is a vasectomy?

prevent sperm from coming out the penis (separates vas deferens)

What is the prostate gland?

located just beneath the urinary bladder secretes 30% of semen and alkaline substance for sperm

What is prostatitis?

inflammation of the prostate gland

What is prostate cancer?

cancer in the prostate gland, very common

What is the urethral canal?

tube that converts urine and semen to the outside

What are Cowper’s gland?

bulbourethral glands, 2 small glands that secrete a clear, sticky, alkaline fluid into the urethral canal during the beginning of sexual arousal

What is the labia majora homologous to in males?

the scrotum

What is the clitorus homologous to in males?

the penis

How big are the ovaries, and what is the function of the ovaries?

almond-shaped and grape sized,

1. oogenesis: development of primary follicles

2. secretion of hormones into the bloodstream

What is oogenesis?

expulsion of eggs into the fallopian tubes

What is a pap smear?

test for cervical cancer by looking at the cells to make sure they’re correctly shaped

What is oxytocin?

the hormone that creates contractions, lactation, and social bonding

What is a hysterectomy?

surgical removal of the uterus and cervix

What is the pre-ovulation phase?

the space between menstruation and ovulation, follicles stimulated with estrogen going into the bloodstream

When does ovulation begin?

around 14 days after the 1st day of the period

What is the postovulatory phase?

luteinizing hormone is still created by the pituitary gland until day 28

What is menopause?

the menstrual cycle becomes irregular and ceases at about 50 yrs of life because ovaries start ignoring gonadotropic hormones