Human Reproduction and Reproductive Health Study Cards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering human male and female reproductive systems, gametogenesis, the menstrual cycle, embryonic development, and reproductive health strategies based on the lecture notes.

Viviparous

Organisms, such as humans, that give birth to live young individuals rather than laying eggs.

Gametogenesis

The reproductive event consisting of the formation of gametes, specifically sperms in males and eggs/ovum in females.

Insemination

The transfer of sperms into the female genital tract.

Fertilisation

The fusion of male and female gametes leading to the formation of a diploid zygote.

Implantation

The attachment of the blastocyst to the inner glandular wall of the uterus called the endometrium.

Gestation

The period of embryonic development within the mother's uterus, lasting approximately 9 months in humans.

Parturition

The process of delivery of the baby at the end of pregnancy.

Scrotum

A pouch situated outside the abdominal cavity that helps maintain the testes at a temperature $2\text{--}2.5^{\circ}\text{C}$ lower than normal body temperature for spermatogenesis.

Testicular lobules

Approximately 250 compartments found in each testis, each containing one to three highly coiled seminiferous tubules.

Sertoli cells

Also known as nursing cells, these are found inside seminiferous tubules and provide nutrition to the male germ cells.

Leydig cells

Also known as interstitial cells, they reside in the spaces outside seminiferous tubules and secrete testicular hormones called androgens.

Rete testis

Irregular cavities present in the testes through which seminiferous tubules open into the vasa efferentia.

Epididymis

An accessory duct that receives sperms from the vasa efferentia and leads to the vas deferens.

Ejaculatory duct

The duct formed by the union of the vas deferens and the duct from the seminal vesicle, which transports sperm to the urethra.

Seminal plasma

The combined secretions of the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands, rich in fructose, calcium, and certain enzymes.

Ovaries

The primary female sex organs located in the lower abdomen that produce the female gamete (ovum) and steroid hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections at the edges of the infundibulum that help collect the ovum after ovulation.

Myometrium

The middle thick layer of the uterine wall composed of smooth muscle that exhibits strong contractions during delivery.

Mons pubis

A cushion of fatty tissue covered by skin and pubic hair, forming part of the female external genitalia.

Hymen

A membrane that often partially covers the opening of the vagina.

Colostrum

The milk produced during the initial few days of lactation which contains several antibodies ($IgA$) essential for newborn resistance.

Spermiogenesis

The specific process by which haploid spermatids are transformed into spermatozoa (sperms).

Spermiation

The process by which sperm heads are released from the Sertoli cells into the lumen of the seminiferous tubules.

Acrosome

A cap-like structure at the anterior portion of the sperm head filled with enzymes (Hyaluronidase) that facilitate fertilisation of the ovum.

Menarche

The first occurrence of menstruation, signifying the beginning of the reproductive cycle at puberty.

Menopause

The permanent cessation of the menstrual cycle, which typically occurs around the age of 50 years.

LH surge

The rapid secretion of luteinising hormone to its peak level during the middle of the menstrual cycle, inducing the rupture of the Graafian follicle.

Corpus luteum

The structure formed from the remaining parts of the Graafian follicle after ovulation that secretes large amounts of progesterone.

Morula

An embryo containing 8 to 16 daughter cells (blastomeres) before it transforms into a blastocyst.

Trophoblast

The outer layer of cells in a blastocyst that attaches to the endometrium during implantation.

Placenta

A structural and functional unit formed by the interdigitation of chorionic villi and uterine tissue between the foetus and the maternal body.

hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)

A hormone produced by the placenta that is present in the maternal blood and urine only during pregnancy.

Foetal ejection reflex

The mild uterine contractions induced by signals from the fully developed foetus and placenta that trigger the release of oxytocin.

Reproductive Health

According to the WHO, a total well-being in all aspects of reproduction, including physical, emotional, behavioural, and social aspects.

Amniocentesis

A prenatal diagnostic technique involving the analysis of amniotic fluid to detect genetic disorders based on chromosomal patterns.

Saheli

A non-steroidal 'once a week' oral contraceptive pill for females developed by the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) in Lucknow.

Lactational amenorrhea

A natural contraceptive method based on the absence of menstruation and ovulation during periods of intense lactation following parturition.

Vasectomy

A male sterilisation procedure where a small part of the vas deferens is removed or tied up through an incision on the scrotum.

Tubectomy

A female sterilisation procedure where a small part of the fallopian tube is removed or tied up through an incision in the abdomen or vagina.

MTP (Medical Termination of Pregnancy)

The intentional or voluntary termination of pregnancy before full term, legalised in India in 1971 with specific conditions.

STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections)

Infections or diseases transmitted through sexual intercourse, also known as venereal diseases (VD) or reproductive tract infections (RTI).

GIFT (Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer)

An assisted reproductive technology (ART) involving the transfer of a donor ovum into the fallopian tube of a female who cannot produce one.

ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection)

A specialised procedure in which a sperm is directly injected into the ovum in a laboratory to form an embryo.