Overview of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems

Gonads

Primary sex organs: testes and ovaries.

Gametes

Sex cells produced by gonads.

Sperm

Male gametes produced by testes.

Ova

Female gametes produced by ovaries.

Steroid sex hormones

Hormones secreted by gonads.

Androgens

Male steroid hormones, primarily testosterone.

Estrogens

Female steroid hormones, regulate reproductive functions.

Progesterone

Hormone involved in menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Accessory reproductive organs

Ducts, glands, and external genitalia.

Sex hormones functions

Influence reproductive organs, behavior, and growth.

Testes

Male gonads located in the scrotum.

Epididymis

Duct where sperm mature and gain motility.

Ductus deferens

Tube transporting sperm from epididymis.

Ejaculatory duct

Duct merging sperm and seminal fluid.

Urethra

Conveys urine and semen externally.

Scrotum

Skin sac housing the testes.

Dartos muscle

Smooth muscle that wrinkles scrotal skin.

Cremaster muscles

Skeletal muscles elevating the testes.

Tunica vaginalis

Outer tunic of the testes, derived from peritoneum.

Tunica albuginea

Fibrous capsule surrounding each testis.

Interstitial cells

Leydig cells producing androgens outside seminiferous tubules.

Corpus spongiosum

Erectile tissue surrounding the urethra.

Corpora cavernosa

Paired erectile tissues forming the penis.

Erection

Blood fills erectile tissue, enlarging the penis.

Seminal vesicles

Glands secreting alkaline seminal fluid.

Prostate

Gland secreting milky fluid activating sperm.

Bulbourethral glands

Secrete mucus to lubricate and neutralize urine.

Semen

Mixture of sperm and gland secretions.

Prostaglandins

Compounds in semen reducing cervical mucus viscosity.

Reverse peristalsis

Stimulates uterine contractions to aid sperm movement.

Alkalinity

Neutralizes acidity in male urethra and female vagina.

Antibiotic chemicals

Destroy specific bacteria in reproductive fluids.

Clotting factors

Coagulate semen post-ejaculation for retention.

Fibrinolysin

Liquefies coagulated semen after ejaculation.

Semen volume

2-5 ml per ejaculation; 20-150 million sperm/ml.

Spermatogenesis

Process producing sperm in seminiferous tubules.

Diploid cells

Contain 23 pairs of homologous chromosomes (2n).

Haploid gametes

Contain 23 chromosomes (n) for reproduction.

Spermatogonia

Stem cells that undergo mitosis to form spermatocytes.

Spermatocytes

Undergo meiosis to form spermatids.

Spermatids

Transform into spermatozoa during spermiogenesis.

Spermatozoa

Mature sperm cells with distinct structures.

Sperm head

Contains nucleus and acrosome for egg penetration.

Sperm midpiece

Houses mitochondria for energy production.

Sperm tail

Flagellum providing locomotion for sperm.

Sustentacular cells

Support and nourish developing sperm cells.

Blood-testis barrier

Prevents immune response against sperm antigens.

HPG axis

Regulates male reproductive hormone secretion.

GnRH

Hypothalamic hormone stimulating FSH and LH release.

FSH

Stimulates sustentacular cells to produce ABP.

LH

Stimulates testosterone release from interstitial cells.

Testosterone

Key hormone triggering spermatogenesis and secondary sex traits.

DHT

Active form of testosterone in prostate tissue.

Male secondary sex characteristics

Features like hair growth and voice deepening.

Erection

Blood engorgement of erectile tissue, initiated by stimuli.

Ejaculation

Release of semen via sympathetic spinal reflex.

Estrogen

Primary female sex hormone regulating reproductive functions.

Uterine tubes

Ducts transporting ova from ovaries to uterus.

Uterus

Muscular organ where fetal development occurs.

Vagina

Birth canal and organ of copulation.

Vulva

External female genitalia including labia and clitoris.

Ovaries

Almond-shaped organs producing ova and hormones.

Ovarian ligament

Anchors ovary medially to uterus.

Suspensory ligament

Anchors ovary laterally to pelvic wall.

Mesovarium

Suspends ovary within the broad ligament.

Ovarian arteries

Blood vessels supplying the ovaries.

Tunica albuginea

Fibrous covering surrounding each ovary.

Cortex

Outer region of ovary containing ovarian follicles.

Medulla

Inner region of ovary with blood vessels and nerves.

Primordial follicle

Immature oocyte with squamous follicle cells.

Primary follicle

Oocyte surrounded by cuboidal or columnar cells.

Secondary follicle

Oocyte with multiple layers of granulosa cells.

Vesicular follicle

Mature follicle with fluid-filled antrum.

Ovulation

Ejection of oocyte from the ripening follicle.

Corpus luteum

Structure formed from ruptured follicle post-ovulation.

Cervical canal

Passage connecting uterus to vagina.

Endometrium

Mucosal lining of the uterus, shed during menstruation.

Smooth muscle muscularis

Layer of smooth muscle in vaginal wall.

Stratified squamous mucosa

Multi-layered epithelial tissue in vagina.

Hymen

Incomplete partition near vaginal orifice.

Vaginal fornix

Upper vagina surrounding the cervix.

External Genitalia

Collective term for vulva or pudendum.

Mons pubis

Fatty area over pubic symphysis.

Labia majora

Hair-covered fatty skin folds of vulva.

Labia minora

Skin folds located within labia majora.

Vestibule

Recess between labia minora.

Greater vestibular glands

Mucus-secreting glands for lubrication.

Clitoris

Erectile tissue with a protective prepuce.

Glans clitoris

Exposed portion of the clitoris.

Perineum

Diamond-shaped region between pubic arch and coccyx.

Suspensory ligaments

Connect breast to underlying muscle.

Lobules

Glandular structures within breast lobes.

Oogenesis

Process of egg development in females.

Primary oocytes

Oogonia that stall in prophase I.

Ovulation

Release of secondary oocyte from follicle.

Follicular phase

First half of ovarian cycle, follicle growth.

Luteal phase

Second half of ovarian cycle, corpus luteum activity.

Corpus luteum

Structure formed from ruptured follicle.

Corpus albicans

Degenerated corpus luteum if no pregnancy.

GnRH

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone; stimulates FSH and LH release.