Reproductive Hormones & Cycles - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering hormones, organs, and cycle concepts from the notes.

Testosterone

Male sex hormone produced by the testes; stimulates development of male reproductive system, secondary sexual characteristics, maturation of sperm, and maintenance of libido.

Estrogen (Oestrogen)

Group of female sex hormones produced mainly by the ovaries; promotes development of female reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics and helps regulate the menstrual cycle and endometrium.

Progesterone

Female sex hormone produced mainly by the corpus luteum; maintains the endometrium for potential pregnancy and inhibits FSH & LH to prevent multiple follicle development.

FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)

Pituitary hormone; in males stimulates spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules; in females promotes growth and maturation of ovarian follicles and estrogen production.

LH (Luteinising Hormone)

Pituitary hormone; in males stimulates testosterone production by interstitial (Leydig) cells; in females triggers ovulation and formation of the corpus luteum, and stimulates estrogen & progesterone production.

Oxytocin

Pituitary hormone; targets uterus and mammary glands; stimulates uterine contractions and milk ejection during breastfeeding.

Prolactin

Pituitary hormone; targets mammary glands; stimulates milk production.

Ovaries

Female reproductive organs; site of oogenesis; produce oestrogen and progesterone; regulate female reproductive cycles.

Testes

Male reproductive organs; site of spermatogenesis; produce testosterone; located in the scrotum to aid temperature regulation for sperm development.

Pituitary Gland

Master endocrine gland that secretes FSH, LH, oxytocin, prolactin, and other hormones that regulate reproductive function.

Corpus Luteum

Temporary endocrine structure formed after ovulation from the ruptured follicle; secretes estrogen and progesterone to maintain the endometrium; degenerates if fertilization does not occur.

Corpus Albicans

Fibrous scar tissue that forms when the corpus luteum degenerates after pregnancy is not established; eventually disappears.

Placenta

Organ formed during pregnancy that supplies nutrients and hormones (estrogen and progesterone); takes over hormone production from the corpus luteum later in pregnancy.

hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)

Hormone produced by the developing placenta after implantation; maintains the corpus luteum and progesterone production in early pregnancy; detectable in urine or blood.

Endometrium

Uterine lining that thickens under estrogen and progesterone during the ovarian cycle; contains mucus-secreting glands that support potential implantation.

Ovarian Cycle

Series of events in the ovaries leading to maturation and release of an ovum; about 28 days; includes follicular development, ovulation, and corpus luteum formation.

Menstrual Cycle

Series of changes in the uterine lining that accompany the ovarian cycle; prepares the uterus for potential pregnancy; includes menstruation, proliferative phase, ovulation, and secretory phase.

Follicle

Small sac in the ovary that contains and matures the oocyte; grows under FSH influence and becomes a mature Graafian follicle before ovulation.

Graafian Follicle (Mature Follicle)

The fully mature ovarian follicle just before ovulation; secretes estrogen and releases the oocyte during ovulation.

Ovulation

Release of a mature oocyte from the ovary into the fallopian tube, typically triggered by a surge in LH.

Graafian Follicle/Ovulation

See Graafian Follicle and Ovulation definitions above.

Ovarian Phase (Follicular Phase/Proliferative Phase)

Part of the ovarian cycle before ovulation when follicles develop; estrogen rises and the endometrium begins to thicken.

Luteal Phase (Secretory Phase)

Part of the menstrual cycle after ovulation when the corpus luteum secretes estrogen and progesterone; the endometrium becomes secretory to support possible implantation.

Menses (Menstruation)

Phase of the menstrual cycle involving uterine bleeding and shedding of the endometrium if fertilization does not occur.

Menarche

A female’s first menstrual period.

Menopause

The end of menstrual cycles; cycles become irregular before stopping, typically around ages 45–55.

Endometrial Thickening

Thickening and vascularization of the uterine lining during the proliferative/secretory phases to prepare for potential implantation.

Secondary Sexual Characteristics

Physical features that distinguish genders but are not directly part of the reproductive organs (e.g., body hair, breast development, voice changes in puberty).