Reproductive Systems Study Guide - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms from the reproductive system lecture notes.

Reproductive system

System of organs that produces, transports, and nourishes gametes and supports reproduction.

Gametes

Male or female reproductive cells (sperm and oocyte) that unite during fertilization.

Fertilization

Union of sperm and egg to form a zygote.

Gonads

Primary sex organs (testes in males, ovaries in females) that produce gametes and hormones.

Ducts

Tubes that transport gametes or embryos (e.g., epididymis, vas deferens, oviducts).

Accessory glands

Glands that add fluids to semen (seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral).

Chromosomes

DNA-bearing structures; humans have 46 in somatic cells, 23 pairs, including X and Y.

Somatic cells

Body cells with the full diploid set of chromosomes.

Haploid

Cell with a single set of chromosomes (23 in humans).

Diploid

Cell with two sets of chromosomes (46 in humans).

Autosomes

Non-sex chromosomes (1–22 pairs in humans).

Sex chromosomes

Chromosomes that determine sex (X and Y in humans).

XX

Female sex chromosome combination.

XY

Male sex chromosome combination.

Homologous chromosomes

Chromosome pairs that carry genes for the same traits, one from each parent.

Meiosis

Cell division that produces haploid gametes from a diploid cell.

Meiosis I

First meiotic division; separates homologous chromosomes.

Prophase I

Chromosomes condense; homologous chromosomes pair and may cross over.

Crossover

Genetic exchange between homologous chromosomes during meiosis.

Metaphase I

Tetrads align along the center of the cell.

Anaphase I

Homologous chromosomes separate to opposite poles.

Telophase I

Two haploid cells form, each with duplicated chromosomes.

Meiosis II

Second division; separates sister chromatids, yielding four haploid gametes.

Prophase II

Chromosomes condense again; new spindle forms.

Metaphase II

Chromosomes align at the equator.

Anaphase II

Sister chromatids separate toward opposite poles.

Telophase II

Four haploid gametes are formed.

Spermatogenesis

Process of sperm production in the testes.

Spermatogonium

Undifferentiated germ cell that divides to begin spermatogenesis.

Primary spermatocyte

Diploid cell entering meiosis I.

Secondary spermatocyte

Haploid cell resulting from meiosis I.

Spermatid

Haploid immature sperm after meiosis II.

Sperm

Mature male gamete capable of fertilization.

Sertoli cells

Supportive cells within seminiferous tubules that nourish developing sperm.

Leydig cells

Interstitial cells that produce testosterone.

Blood-testis barrier

Protective barrier preventing immune attack on developing sperm.

Gubernaculum

Structure guiding testicular descent during development.

Tunica vaginalis

Serous membrane surrounding the testis.

Tunica albuginea

Fibrous capsule surrounding the testis.

Lobules

Testicular compartments containing seminiferous tubules.

Seminiferous tubules

Site of spermatogenesis within the testes.

Spermatogenic cells

Cells that develop into sperm (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, sperm).

Epididymis

Duct where sperm mature and are stored.

Efferent ducts

Ducts carrying sperm from testes to epididymis.

Ductus epididymis

The duct within the epididymis through which sperm travel.

Ampulla

Expanded section of the vas deferens storing and transporting sperm.

Ejaculatory ducts

Ducts where vas deferens and seminal vesicle fluids merge to the urethra.

Urethra

Tube for urine (and semen in males) to exit the body.

Seminal vesicles

Glands that add alkaline fluid and fructose to semen.

Prostate gland

Gland producing prostatic fluid including PSA; aids semen liquidity.

Bulbourethral glands

Glands that secrete alkaline mucus to neutralize acidity and lubricate.

Semen

Fluid containing sperm and seminal fluids for transport and nourishment.

Alkaline fluid (seminal vesicles)

Fluid with high pH that neutralizes vaginal acidity.

Fructose

Sugar in semen that provides energy for sperm.

PSA

Prostate-specific antigen; enzyme aiding semen liquefaction.

Seminalplasmin

Antibiotic component of semen.

Scrotum

External sac that houses the testes.

Dartos muscle

Smooth muscle layer in the scrotum that reduces heat loss.

Cremaster muscle

Muscle that raises/lowers the testes to regulate temperature.

Raphe

Visible seam on the scrotum marking underlying fusion.

Testicular artery

Blood supply to the testes.

Pampiniform plexus

Network of veins cooling arterial blood to the testes.

Lymphatic vessels

Lymph drainage from the testes.

Autonomic nerves

Nerves controlling erection, emission, and ejaculation.

Spermatic cord

Bundle containing vas deferens, vessels, and nerves.

Erection

Penile enlargement and stiffening due to vascular changes.

Orgasm

Peak of sexual arousal with ejaculation.

Ejaculation

Expulsion of semen through the urethra.

GnRH

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus; stimulates LH and FSH.

LH

Luteinizing hormone; stimulates testosterone production and triggers ovulation.

FSH

Follicle-stimulating hormone; spermatogenesis in males and follicle development in females.

Testosterone

Primary male sex hormone; supports male reproductive development and function; provides negative feedback on GnRH and LH.

Ovaries

Female gonads; produce oocytes and hormones (estrogen/progesterone).

Uterine tubes

Oviducts; transport ova; site of fertilization; lined with cilia and smooth muscle.

Uterus

Womb; site of implantation and fetal development; supports labor.

Vagina

Birth canal; passage for sperm and menstrual flow; canal with mucosa, muscularis, adventitia.

Vulva

External genitalia of the female; includes mons pubis, labia, clitoris.

Mammary glands

Breast glands that synthesize, secrete, and eject milk.

Infundibulum

Funnel-shaped opening of the fallopian tube with fimbriae.

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections that capture the ovulated oocyte.

Graafian follicle

Mature ovarian follicle ready to release an oocyte during ovulation.

Corpus luteum

Remnant of the follicle after ovulation; secretes estrogen and progesterone.

Oogenesis

Process of egg formation in the ovaries, yielding a haploid oocyte.

Isthmus

Narrow section of the fallopian tube between the ampulla and uterus.

Endometrium

Inner lining of the uterus that thickens during the cycle.

Stratum functionalis

Functional layer of the endometrium shed during menstruation.

Stratum basalis

Basal layer that regenerates the endometrium after menstruation.

Myometrium

Thick, muscular middle layer of the uterus responsible for contractions.

Perimetrium

Outer serous covering of the uterus.

Vesicouterine pouch

Space between the bladder and the uterus.

Rectouterine pouch

Pouch between the uterus and the rectum; also called the pouch of Douglas.

Cervix

Lower, narrow portion of the uterus that opens into the vagina.

External os

Opening of the cervix into the vagina.

Uterosacral ligament

Ligament that supports the uterus posteriorly.

Cardinal ligament

Lateral cervical ligament providing uterine support.

Round ligament

Ligament that helps maintain uterine position (antiversion).

Hymen

Membrane partially closing the vaginal opening.

Vestibule

Wedge-shaped area within the labia minora containing external openings.

Paraurethral glands

Glands (Skene’s) near the urethra that secrete lubrication.

Skene's glands

Paraurethral glands near the female urethral opening.