Human Reproduction and Prenatal Development - Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering anatomy, physiology, pregnancy, fetal development, diagnostics, and prenatal care topics from the notes.

Concept of Sexuality

An integral human characteristic reflecting human nature and not limited to genitalia; everyone is born with the capacity to function as a sexual being.

Biologic Gender

A person’s chromosomal gender, a biologic categorization based on reproductive function as male or female.

Gender Identity

A person’s perception of his or her maleness or femaleness.

Sex (definition in notes)

What a person thinks of themselves as (male or female), which may differ from biologic gender.

Mons Pubis (Mons Veneris)

Soft fatty cushion over the symphysis pubis at the external genitalia.

Labia Majora

Two folds of adipose tissue extending downward and backward from the mons pubis.

Labia Minora

Two thin folds of connective tissue within the labia majora.

Glans Clitoris

Pea-shaped erectile tissue and nerve endings—seat of female arousal and orgasm; often guides catheterization.

Perineum

Muscular area between the vaginal opening and the anus; includes pelvic diaphragm and urogenital diaphragm.

Vestibule

Almond-shaped area surrounding clitoris and vaginal opening; contains hymen, urethral meatus, vaginal orifice, Bartholin’s and Skene’s glands.

Hymen

Thin elastic membrane covering the vaginal opening.

Urinary Meatus (Urethral Meatus)

Urethral opening just below the clitoris through which urine exits.

Vaginal Orifice

External opening of the vagina; located below the urethral meatus.

Bartholin’s Glands

Vulvovaginal glands that secrete mucus to lubricate during intercourse.

Skene’s Glands

Glands near the urethral opening that lubricate the vestibule and urethra.

Vagina (Internal Genitalia)

Dilatable canal with rugae; extends from the vulva to the uterus; acidic pH 4.0–6.0 with Lactobacilli.

Uterus

Hollow, pear-shaped muscular organ; site of menstruation, implantation, pregnancy, and childbirth.

Perimetrium

Thin outer serous membrane of the uterus; parietal peritoneum.

Myometrium

Thick, contractile middle muscular layer of the uterus.

Endometrium

Inner mucosal lining that changes with estrogen and progesterone; becomes decidua in pregnancy.

Fundus

Convex, upper part of the uterus; highly vascular and contractile.

Corpus (Body) of Uterus

Larger triangular portion that houses and nourishes the growing fetus.

Cornua

Where the fallopian tubes emerge from the uterus.

Isthmus (Uterus)

Area between the corpus and cervix forming part of the lower uterine segment.

Cervix

Lower cylindrical portion of the uterus; canal communicates with the vagina.

Anteversion

Uterus position where it tilts forward when the body stands.

Anteflexion

Forward bending of the uterus with the fundus resting on the bladder.

Oviducts (Fallopian Tubes)

Two muscular canals carrying ova; ~8–14 cm long; site of fertilization in the ampulla.

Interstitial Portion

Part of the fallopian tube embedded within the wall of the uterus.

Isthmus (Fallopian Tube)

Narrow portion adjoining the uterus.

Ampulla

Widest portion of the fallopian tube; site of fertilization.

Infundibulum

Funnel-shaped distal end of the tube near the ovary; captures released eggs.

Ovary

Gonads producing oocytes; secrete estrogen and progesterone; site of oogenesis and ovulation.

Cortex (Ovary)

Outer layer containing ova and Graafian follicles.

Medulla (Ovary)

Inner part containing blood vessels.

Gonads (Ovaries) Functions

Oogenesis, ovulation, and endocrine production of estrogen and progesterone.

Testes

Male gonads that produce sperm and testosterone.

Scrotum

Pouch that contains and supports the testes and helps regulate testicular temperature.

Penis (Parts)

Male organ for copulation and urinary/reproductive tract outlet; includes root, body (shaft), and glans; often covered by foreskin (prepuce).

Glans

Cone-shaped end of the penis; rich in nerve endings.

Root (Penis)

Part of the penis attached to the abdominal wall.

Body/Shaft (Penis)

Main tubular portion containing three erectile chambers.

Foreskin (Prepuce)

Skin covering the glans; circumcision may remove it.

Duct System (Male)

Pathways for semen: Epididymis, Ductus Deferens, Ejaculatory Duct, Urethra.

Epididymis

First duct in the male reproductive tract; stores and matures sperm.

Ductus Deferens

Carries sperm from the epididymis through the inguinal canal to the ejaculatory ducts.

Ejaculatory Duct

Tube at the base of the prostate that opens into the prostatic urethra.

Male Urethra

Transports semen and urine through the penis.

Seminal Vesicle

Gland secreting nourishing fluid that energizes sperm.

Prostate

Gland secreting alkaline fluid aiding sperm viability.

Bulbourethral Gland

Lubricating mucus secretions prior to ejaculation.

Menstrual Cycle

Monthly rhythmic changes in ovaries and endometrium governed by estrogen and progesterone.

Menarche

First menstrual period.

Menopause

Permanent cessation of menses.

Amenorrhea

Absence of menstruation.

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation.

Menorrhagia: excessive menstrual bleeding.

Metrorrhagia

Abnormal bleeding between menses.

Oligomenorrhea

Scanty/diminished menstrual flow.

Phases of the Menstrual Cycle

Menstrual, Proliferative (Follicular), Ovulatory, and Luteal Phases.

Hypothalamic Releasing Factors

Signals from hypothalamus that trigger FSH and LH release (via FSH-RF and LH-RF).

FSH

Follicle-stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary; promotes ovarian follicle development and estrogen production.

LH

Luteinizing hormone from the anterior pituitary; triggers ovulation and corpus luteum progesterone/estrogen production.

Estrogen

Hormone that promotes endometrial growth, mucus thinning, and female secondary sexual characteristics.

Progesterone

Hormone that prepares endometrium for implantation and supports early pregnancy; raises basal body temperature.

Ovulation

Release of a mature ovum from the Graafian follicle; typically occurs mid-cycle.

Signs of Ovulation

Breast tenderness, mittelschmerz, slight basal body temperature rise, Spinnbarkeit (elastic cervical mucus).

Fertilization

Union of sperm and egg; typically occurs in the ampulla of the fallopian tube.

Zygote

Fertilized egg from conception to 2 weeks; first cell after fertilization.

Embryo

Developing organism from 7th day to 7th week after fertilization.

Fetus

Developing offspring from 8 weeks gestation to birth.

Placenta

Discoid organ that exchanges gases, nutrients, and wastes between mother and fetus; produces hormones.

Chorionic Villi

Finger-like projections that become part of the placenta and exchange substances with maternal blood; produce HCG.

Amnion

Innermost fetal membrane enclosing the fetus and amniotic fluid.

Umbilical Cord (Funis)

Connects fetus with placenta; contains two arteries and one vein within Wharton’s jelly.

Amniotic Fluid (BOW - clear fluid)

Fluid surrounding the fetus; cushions, nourishes, and allows movement; begins forming around 11–15 weeks.

Three Layers of Trophoblast

Cytotrophoblast (inner cellular layer), Syncytiotrophoblast (outer layer with villi), Primitive mesenchyme (mesodermal tissue).

LS Ratio

Lecithin to sphingomyelin ratio used to assess fetal lung maturity (normal is 2:1).

Chorion & Decidua

Chorion forms part of placental membranes; decidua is the modified endometrium during pregnancy with basalis, capsularis, and parietalis components.

Decidua Basalis

Maternal portion of the placenta formed at the base of the implanted embryo.

Decidua Capsularis

Decidua that grows over and covers the embryo and chorion laeve.

Decidua Parietalis (Decidua Vera)

Uterine lining that lines the uterus minus the implantation site.

Stages of Prenatal Development

Zygote (fertilization to 2 weeks) → Blastocyst → Embryo (7th day–7th week) → Fetus (8 weeks to term).

Conception Process (Summary)

Sperm fertilizes egg, travels to uterus, zygote divides (cleavage), implants into endometrium to become embryo.

Nagele’s Rule

Method to estimate due date: add 7 days to LMP and count back 3 months (adjust year as needed).

McDonald’s Method

Estimate gestational age by fundal height: height in cm x 2/7 ≈ lunar months; height x 8/7 ≈ weeks.

Bartholomew’s Rule

Estimate age of gestation by fundal height position in the abdomen across trimesters.

Hasse’s Rule

Estimate fetal length from months of gestation: months 1–6 use squaring or multiplication rules.

Johnson’s Rule

Estimate fetal weight using a height-based formula (varies by model).

Presumptive Signs of Pregnancy

Signs the patient reports (amenorrhea, fatigue, breast changes, urination, quickening) that suggest pregnancy but are not definitive.

Probable Signs of Pregnancy

Observations by clinician (e.g., positive pregnancy test, abdominal changes, external signs) not conclusive.

Positive Signs of Pregnancy

Conclusive evidence of fetus (fetal movements felt by examiner, fetal heart sounds, delivery of baby, ultrasound visualization).

GTPAL Scoring

Gravida, Term, Preterm, Abortion, Living children; used to summarize obstetric history.

Primigravida

Pregnant for the first time.

Multigravida

Woman who has been pregnant more than once.

Nulligravida

Never been pregnant.

Primipara

One pregnancy beyond viability; delivered or not.

Multipara

Two or more pregnancies beyond viability.

Nullipara

Never delivered beyond viability.

Nutritional Considerations in Pregnancy

Balanced diet with iron; folic acid before conception and early pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects.