Ch. 14 Reproductive System

Testes

Located in the scrotum, testes are the primary reproductive organ in males. Consists of lobules that hold seminiferous tubules where spermatozoa are produced.

Scrotum

Retractable sac-like structure that holds the testes.

Epididymis

A long, tightly coiled tube where sperm mature and then enter the vas deferens for storage.

Prostate gland

The main function of the gland is to secrete alkaline fluid that nourishes the sperm.

Pen*s

It is the male copulatory organ, which carries both s*men and urine.

Components of s*men

the secretions of the prostate gland, the seminal vesicles, the bulbourethral glands, and the sperm cells.

Epididymitis

Inflammation of the tubular epididymis

Balanitis

Inflammation of the glans and the mucous membrane beneath the glans is called balanitis.

Hydrocele

A fluid-filled sac that develops around the testicle

Erect*ile dysfunction

The inability to develop an erection during sexual activity

Male infertility

The factors that affect fertility include cryptorchidism, stricture, and varicoceles as well as a low sperm count and poor motility leading to impotence. The condition is also affected by hormonal imbalances and obstruction of the vas deferens.

Prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate gland due to a bacterial infection is called prostatitis.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Cells in the prostate gland reproduce more rapidly with increasing age and result in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Prostate cancer

in early stages, the cancer is asymptomatic. The symptoms develop when the cancer has spread outside the prostate gland.

Chlamydia

caused by the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis.

Gen*tal herpes simplex virus

caused by herpes simplex virus type 2.

Gen*tal warts

caused by human papilloma virus and are the most prevalent STI.

Gonorrhea

caused by Bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Syphilis

A spirochete bacteria, Treponema pallidum

Human immunodeficiency virus infection

The most deadly STI is the HIV infection, which may develop into AIDS.

Circumcision

The surgical removal of the foreskin or glans of the penis

Digital rectal examination

DRE is a diagnostic procedure in which the physician palpates the prostate to identify any enlargement.

Vastectomy

A surgical procedure performed for male sterilization. Vasectomy involves removal of a section of each vas deferens that blocks the sperm from reaching the prostate and blending with the semen.

Vag*na

a tube-like structure that connects the internal and external organs and serves as the birth canal. It has a mucous membrane lining that provides lubrication.

Vulva

the external female genitalia that starts at the mons pubis and ends at the an*s.

Uterus

a hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ that is responsible for housing and nourishing the fetus after conception until parturition.

Fallopian tubes

act as a passageway for the ovum to reach the uterus and for the sperm to travel to the ovum.

Ovaries

secrete hormones that are important for the development of secondary sexual characteristics and during pregnancy. These organs are part of the endocrine system

Follicular phase

the hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). The anterior pituitary is stimulated to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

Luteal phase

the corpus luteum secretes progesterone that causes the extensive growth of the endometrium. In this way, it prepares for a possible pregnancy.

Menstrual phase

The menstrual discharge consists of necrotic endometrial tissue, mucus, and the blood from endometrial engorgement.

Amenorrhea

This is a menstrual disorder in which there is no menstruation for a minimum of 6 months.

Oligomenorrhea

This is a menstrual disorder in which periods do not occur for 35 days to 6 months.

Menorrhagia

periods last for more than 7 days and there is excessive menstrual blood loss.

Metrorrhagia

This is a menstrual disorder in which there is spotting and bleeding between the menstrual cycles.

Endometriosis

This is a condition in which functional endometrial tissue is present outside the uterus. The tissue is found attached to the ovaries, urinary bladder, fallopian tubes, uterosacral ligaments, intestines, and peritoneum.

Candidiasis

caused by a yeast-like fungus called candida albicans. This organism is a part of the normal flora of the mouth, skin, intestinal tract, and vag*na.

Bacterial vaginosis

an infection of the female reproductive system, which results when the normal level of bacteria in the vag*na is disturbed leading to the growth of secondary bacteria that infect the tissue lining.

Cervicitis

characterized by the inflammation of the cervix that occurs due to an invading organism.

Pelvic inflammatory disease

an acute or chronic infection caused in the female reproductive system that arises from the vag*na (vaginitis), cervix (cervicitis), uterus (endometritis), fallopian tubes (salpingitis), and ovaries (oophoritis).

Pre-eclampsia

Hypertension with proteinuria after 20 weeks of pregnancy leads to the diagnosis of pre-eclampsia.

Gestational diabetes

Any degree of impaired glucose tolerance during pregnancy may lead to the diagnosis of gestational diabetes

Placental abruption

A detachment of the placenta from the uterine wall results in placental abruption; also known as abruptio placentae.

Placenta previa

Implantation of the placenta in the lower uterine section leads to placenta previa. It is possible that the placenta may migrate upward as the uterine wall grows during pregnancy.