CH 8. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Adena of the uterus

Fallopian tubes, ovaries, and supporting ligaments

Amnion

Innermost membrane surrounding the embryo and fetus

Areola

Dark-pigmented area surrounding the breast nipple

Bartholin glands

Small mucus secreting exocrine glands at the vaginal orifice (opening to outside of the body)

Cervix

Lower neck like portion of the uterus

Chorion

Outermost membrane surrounding the embryo and fetus; it forms the fetal part of the placenta

Clitoris

Organ of sensitive erectile tissue anterior to the opening of the female urethra

Coitus

Sexual intercourse, copulation

Corpus luteum

Empty ovarian follicle that secretes progesterone after release of the egg cell; literally means yellow body

Cul-de-sac

Region in the lower abdomen, midway between the rectum and the uterus.

Embryo

Stage in prenatal development from 2 to 8 weeks

Endometrium

Inner, mucous membrane lining of the uterus

Estrogen

Hormone produced by the ovaries and by the placenta during pregnancy; promotes female secondary sex characteristics

Fallopian tube

One of a pair of ducts through which the ovum travels to the uterus; also called oviduct.

Fertilization

Union of the sperm and ovum from which the embryo develops

Fetus

Stage in prenatal development from 8 weeks to birth

Fimbriae (singular=fimbria)

Finger-like projections at the end of the fallopian tubes

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate maturation of the egg cell (ovum)

Gamete

Male or female sexual reproductive cell, sperm cell or ovum

Genitalia

Reproductive organs, also called genitals

Gestation

Time period from fertilization of the ovum to birth; pregnancy

Gonad

Female or male reproductive organ that produces sex cells and hormones; ovary and testis

Gynecology

Study of the female reproductive organs, including the breasts

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Hormone produced by the placenta to sustain pregnancy by stimulating the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone

Hymen

Mucous membrane partially or completely covering the opening to the vagina

Labia

Lips of the vagina

Lactiferous ducts

Tubes that carry milk from the mammary glands to the nipple

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Secreted by the pituitary gland to promote ovulation

Mammary papilla

Nipple of the breast

Menarche

Beginning of the first menstrual period and ability to reproduce

Menopause

Gradual ending of menstruation

Menstruation

Monthly shedding of the uterine lining

Myometrium

Muscle layer of the uterine

Neonatology

Study of the medical care of the newborn

Obstetrics

Branch of medicine and surgery concerned with pregnancy and childbirth

Orifice

An opening

Ovarian follicle

Developing sac enclosing each ovum within the ovary. Only about 400 of these sacs mature in a woman’s life

Ovary

One of a pair of female organs (gonads) on each side of the pelvis. Ovaries are almond shaped about the size of large walnuts and produce egg cells (ova) and hormones

Ovulation

Release of the ovum from the ovary

Ovum (plural=ova)

Mature egg cell (female gamete). Ova develop from immature egg cells called oocytes

Parturition

Act of giving birth

Perimetrium

Outermost layer of the uterus, uterine serosa

Perineum

In females, the area between the anus and the vagina

Pituitary gland

Endocrine gland at the base of the brain. It produces hormones that stimulate the ovaries. The pituitary gland also regulates other endocrine organs

Placenta

Vascular organ attached to the uterine wall during pregnancy. It permits the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and fetal waste products between mother and fetus

Pregnancy

Gestation

Progesterone

Hormone produced by the corpus luteum in the ovary and the placenta of pregnant women

Puberty

Period of adolescenct development at which secondary sex characteristics appear and gametes are produced

Uterus

Hollow, pear shaped muscular female organ in which the embryo and fetus develops, and from which menstruation occurs

Upper most portion of the uterus

Fundus

Middle portion of the uterus

Corpus

Lower most portion of the uterus

Cervix

Vagina

Muscular, mucosa-lined canal extending from the uterus to the exterior of the body

Vulva

External female genitalia, includes the labia, hymen, clitoris, and vaginal orifice

Zygote

Stage in prenatal development from fertilization and implantation up to 2 weeks