Female Reproductive System Vocabulary

amnion

innermost membrane surrounding the embryo and fetus

Bartholin glands

small mucus secreting exocrine glands at the vaginal opening.

chorion

outermost membrane surrounding the embryo and fetus. It forms the placenta.

coitus

sexual intercourse; copulation

cul-de-sac

region in the lower abdomen, midway between the rectum and the uterus

embryo

stage in prenatal development from 2 to 8 weeks

endometrium

Inner, mucous membrane lining of the uterus

estrogen

hormone produced by the ovaries; promotes female secondary sex characteristics

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate maturation of the egg cell

gestation

time period from fertilization of the ovum to birth

gonad

female or male reproductive organ that produces sex cells and hormones

human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Hormone produced by the placenta to sustain pregancy by stimulating the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone

hymen

mucous membrane partially or completely covering the opening to the vagina

luteinizing hormone (LH)

secreted by the pituitary gland to promote ovulation

menarche

begining of the first menstrual period and ability to reproduce

myometrium

muscle layer of the uterus

progesterone

hormone produced by the corpus lutem in the ovary and the placenta of pregant women

perineum

In females, the area between the anus and the vagina

perimetrium

outermost layer of the uterus; uterine serosa

ovum

mature egg cell

puberty

period of adolescent development at which secondary sex characteristics appear and gametes are produced

zygote

stage in prenatal development from fertilization and implantaion up to 2 weeks

labia

lips of the vagina

obstertrics

branch of medicine and surgery concerned with pregnancy and childbirth

ovarian follicle

developing sac enclosing each ovum withhin the ovary.

mammary papilla

nipple of the breast

gamete

reproductive organs; also called genitals

corpus luteum

empty ovarian follicle that secretes progesterone after relase of the egg cell

vagine

muscular, mucosa-lined canal extending from the uterus to the exterior of the body

uterus

hollow; pear shaped musular female organ

vulva

external female genitalia; includes the labia, hymen, clitoris, and vaginal orfice.

fimbria

finger- or -fringe like projections at the end of the fallopian tubes

clitoris

sensitive erectile tissue anterior to the opening of the female urethra.

fallopian tube

one of a pair of ducts through which the ovum travels to the uterus.

genitalia

reproductive organs; also called genitals

orifice

an opening

parturition

act of giving birth

placenta

vascular organ attached to uterine wall during pregnancy