The Reproductive System

Vocabulary flashcards for the Reproductive System lecture.

Gonads

Primary sex organs; testes in males and ovaries in females.

Gametes

Sex cells; sperm in males and ova (eggs) in females.

Sperm

Male gametes.

Ova

Female gametes (eggs).

Epididymis

A highly convoluted tube 6 m (20 ft) long, found along the posterior lateral side of the testis, where sperm mature.

Ductus (vas) deferens

Runs from the epididymis via the spermatic cord, moving sperm by peristalsis into the urethra.

Vasectomy

Cutting of the ductus deferens at the level of the testes to prevent transportation of sperm.

Urethra

Extends from the base of the urinary bladder to the tip of the penis and carries both urine and sperm.

Prostatic urethra

Region of the urethra surrounded by the prostate gland.

Membranous urethra

Region of the urethra from the prostatic urethra to the penis.

Spongy (penile) urethra

Region of the urethra that runs the length of the penis to the external urethral orifice.

Seminal vesicles

Glands located at the base of the bladder that produce a thick, yellowish secretion (60% of semen).

Prostate

Gland that encircles the upper (prostatic) part of the urethra and secretes a milky fluid.

Bulbourethral glands

Pea-sized glands inferior to the prostate that produce a thick, clear mucus.

Semen

Milky white mixture of sperm and accessory gland secretions.

Scrotum

Divided sac of skin outside the abdomen that houses the testes.

Penis

Male organ of copulation that delivers sperm into the female reproductive tract.

Glans penis

Enlarged tip of the penis.

Prepuce (foreskin)

Folded cuff of skin around the proximal end of the penis; often removed by circumcision.

Spermatogenesis

Sperm production.

Spermatogonia

Primitive stem cells that begin the process of spermatogenesis by dividing rapidly.

Meiosis

Special type of nuclear division that occurs in the gonads, resulting in four daughter cells (gametes).

Spermiogenesis

Spermatids are nonmotile and not functional as sperm; a streamlining process is needed to strip excess cytoplasm.

Testosterone

Most important hormonal product of the testes.

Ovaries

Produce eggs (ova) and hormones (estrogen and progesterone).

Oocyte

Immature egg.

Follicle cells

Layers of different cells that surround the oocyte.

Primary follicle

Contains an immature oocyte.

Vesicular (Graafian) follicle

Growing follicle with a maturing oocyte.

Ovulation

The follicle ruptures when the egg is mature and ready to be ejected from the ovary; occurs about every 28 days.

Uterine (fallopian) tubes

Form the initial part of the duct system and receive the ovulated oocyte from the ovaries.

Infundibulum

Distal, funnel-shaped end of the uterine tube.

Fimbriae

Fingerlike projections of the infundibulum that receive the oocyte from the ovary.

Uterus

Situated between the urinary bladder and rectum; receives, retains, and nourishes a fertilized egg.

Body (uterus)

Main portion of the uterus.

Fundus (uterus)

Superior rounded region of the uterus above where the uterine tube enters.

Cervix

Narrow outlet of the uterus that protrudes into the vagina.

Endometrium

Inner layer (mucosa) of the uterus; site of implantation of a fertilized egg.

Myometrium

Middle layer of the uterus, consisting of smooth muscle that contracts during labor.

Perimetrium (visceral peritoneum)

Outermost serous layer of the uterus.

Vagina

Passageway that extends from the cervix to the exterior of the body and serves as the female organ of copulation.

Hymen

Partially closes the vagina until it is ruptured.

Vulva

The female external genitalia, including the mons pubis, labia, clitoris, urethral and vaginal orifices, and greater vestibular glands.

Mons pubis

Fatty area overlying the pubic symphysis.

Labia majora

Hair-covered skin folds that enclose the labia minora and the vestibule.

Labia minora

Delicate, hair-free folds of skin enclosed by the labia majora.

Vestibule

Enclosed by the labia majora; contains external openings of the urethra and vagina.

Greater vestibular glands

Secretions lubricate the vagina during intercourse.

Clitoris

Contains erectile tissue; corresponds to the male penis.

Perineum

Diamond-shaped region between the anterior ends of the labial folds, anus posteriorly, and ischial tuberosities laterally.

Oogenesis

Process of producing ova (eggs) in a female.

Oogenesis

Process of producing ova (eggs) in a female.

Menstrual phase

Functional layer of the endometrium is sloughed.

Proliferative stage

Regeneration of functional layer of the endometrium.

Secretory stage

Levels of progesterone rise and increase the blood supply to the endometrium.

Areola

Central pigmented area of the mammary gland.

Nipple

Protruding central area of areola.

Lobes (mammary gland)

Internal structures of the mammary gland that radiate around the nipple.

Lobules (mammary gland)

Located within each lobe of the mammary gland and contain clusters of alveolar glands.

Alveolar glands

Produce milk when a woman is lactating (producing milk).

Lactiferous ducts

Connect alveolar glands to the nipple.

Lactiferous sinus

Dilated portion of the lactiferous ducts where milk accumulates.

Mammography

X-ray examination that detects breast cancers too small to feel.

Pregnancy

Time from fertilization until infant is born.

Conceptus

Developing offspring.

Embryo

Period of time from fertilization until week 8.

Fetus

Week 9 until birth.

Gestation period

From date of last period until birth (approximately 280 days).

Cleavage

Rapid mitotic cell divisions that begin with the zygote.

Blastocyst (chorionic vesicle)

Hollow, ball-like structure of 100 cells or more that secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Trophoblast

Large fluid-filled sphere of the blastocyst.

Inner cell mass

Cluster of cells to one side of the blastocyst.

Ectoderm

Outside layer of the primary germ layers, which gives rise to the nervous system and epidermis of skin.

Endoderm

Inside layer of the primary germ layers, which forms mucosae and associated glands.

Mesoderm

Middle layer of the primary germ layers, which gives rise to everything else.

Chorionic villi

Projections of the trophoblast that combine with tissues of the uterus to form the placenta.

Amnion

Fluid-filled sac that surrounds the embryo.

Umbilical cord

Blood vessel–containing stalk of tissue that attaches the amnion to the placenta.

Placenta

Forms a barrier between mother and embryo; delivers nutrients and oxygen; removes wastes from embryonic blood.

Lordosis

Accentuation of lumbar curvature during pregnancy.

Relaxin

Hormone that causes relaxation of the pelvic ligaments and pubic symphysis during pregnancy.

Braxton Hicks contractions

Weak, irregular uterine contractions that occur during false labor.

Labor

The series of events that expel the infant from the uterus.

Dilation (labor)

Cervix becomes dilated during this stage of labor.

Expulsion (labor)

Infant passes through the cervix and vagina during this stage of labor.

Placental stage

Delivery of the placenta.

Afterbirth

Placenta and attached fetal membranes.

Menarche

First menstrual period.

Menopause

A whole year has passed without menstruation.

Contraception

Birth control.

Morning-after pill (MAP)

Taken within 3 days of unprotected intercourse to disrupt normal hormonal signals.

Intrauterine device (IUD)

Plastic or metal device inserted into the uterus to prevent implantation of a fertilized egg.

Tubal ligation

Cut or cauterize the uterine tubes.

Vasectomy

Cut or cauterize the ductus deferens.

Coitus interruptus

Withdrawal of penis prior to ejaculation.

Rhythm (fertility awareness)

Avoid intercourse during period of ovulation or fertility.

Abortion

Termination of pregnancy.

Miscarriage

Spontaneous abortion.

RU486, or abortion pill

Induces miscarriage during first 7 weeks of pregnancy.

Tunica albuginea

Capsule that surrounds each testis