Puberty, Reproductive Systems, and Sexual Health

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the male and female reproductive systems, puberty changes, reproductive physiology, and sexual health concepts.

Sperm

The male reproductive cell produced every day in the testicles that fertilises a female egg.

Ovum

The female reproductive cell (also known as the egg), produced and stored in the ovaries, which can be fertilised by a sperm at conception.

Hereditary

The passing on of genetic characteristics from parents to children, resulting in a combination of traits from the biological mother and father.

Hormone

A substance produced by the body that has an effect on growth or development.

Pituitary Gland

A small gland located in the brain that produces hormones that trigger puberty.

Testosterone

The male sex hormone responsible for male characteristics and for producing sperm.

Oestrogen

The main female sex hormone responsible for female characteristics during puberty and the reproductive cycle.

Primary Sexual Characteristics

The internal and external body structures that make biological reproduction possible.

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Physical features that distinguish males from females which develop during puberty (such as a deepening voice, body hair, widening hips, or broadening shoulders).

Puberty

The developmental stage during adolescence characterized by hormonal and physical changes, typically occurring between ages 10–14 in females and 12–16 in males.

Vas Deferens

A tube used to transport sperm and semen to the urethra and penis.

Urethra (Male)

The duct that carries urine and sperm to the outside of the body.

Seminal Vesicles

Small glands that add fluid to sperm to produce semen.

Epididymis

A sperm storage area where sperm mature that links the testes with the vas deferens.

Prostate Gland

A gland that surrounds the urethra under the bladder and secretes a fluid that assists with the movement of the sperm.

Penis

The male organ used in sexual intercourse to release sperm into the vagina.

Testes

The male organs responsible for the production of sperm and testosterone, located inside the scrotum sac.

Scrotum

A loose pouch of skin hanging below the penis that contains the testicles and keeps them at an optimum temperature for sperm development.

Clitoris

A small, sensitive organ located above the vaginal opening.

Labia

Folds of skin that protect the opening to the vagina.

Vagina

A muscular canal that joins the uterus to the outside of the body, where sperm is released during sexual intercourse.

Urethra (Female)

A tube that runs from the bladder to the outside of the body to release urine.

Cervix

The lower part that joins the uterus and the vagina, which opens when a baby is ready to be born.

Ovaries

Glands that produce the female sex hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) and store and release ova.

Fallopian Tubes

Tubes extending from the ovary to the uterus that carry the egg after ovulation and serve as the site where fertilisation usually takes place.

Uterus

A muscular pear-shaped organ that supports the developing baby, whose thickened blood lining is shed during menstruation when an egg is not fertilised.

Ovulation

The release of a mature egg from an ovary, occurring approximately once a month after puberty begins.

Menstruation

The phase of the menstrual cycle where the soft, thickened lining of the uterus and blood are shed through the vagina over 2 to 7 days (average 5 days).

Semen

A white, sticky fluid ejaculated from the penis, formed by the combination of sperm and fluids from the seminal vesicles and prostate gland.

Erection

The hardening of the penis that occurs when increased blood flow fills the spongy tissue, causing it to become erect and stand out from the body.

Ejaculation

The release of semen and sperm from the penis through the urethra, usually occurring as a result of an orgasm.

Conception

The process when a sperm fertilises an egg and an embryo is created, which eventually develops into a new person.

Embryo

The developing entity formed immediately after a sperm fertilises an ovum.

Male Reproductive System Anatomy (Numbered Diagram)

1: Vas deferens, 2: Seminal vesicle, 3: Prostate gland, 4: Epididymis, 5: Scrotum, 6: Testis, 7: Urethra.

Female Reproductive System Anatomy (Numbered Diagram)

1: Fallopian tube, 2: Ovary, 3: Uterus, 4: Cervix, 5: Vagina.

Consent

Freely given, clear, and enthusiastic permission or agreement to participate in an activity or physical contact, which must always be sought and respected.

Assertive Communication

Clearly, calmly, and directly stating one's boundaries and feelings while showing respect for others, standing in contrast to passive or aggressive responses.

Biological Sex

The anatomical and physiological traits an individual is born with, such as having testes or ovaries and specific chromosomes.

Gender

A person's internal sense of self, social identity, and expression (such as the name and pronouns that feel right), separate from biological sex.

Gender Norm

Social expectations, stereotypes, or rules about how an individual should act, speak, or feel based on their gender (for example, the belief that "boys don't cry").

Three Areas of Health

The interconnected aspects of overall well-being: physical health (the body), social health (relationships and friendships), and emotional health (feelings and mental states).