Human Reproduction Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and definitions related to human reproduction, gametogenesis, and related processes.

Viviparous

Humans are sexually reproducing and give birth to live young.

Gametogenesis

The process of formation of gametes (sperms in males and ovum in females).

Insemination

The transfer of sperms into the female genital tract.

Fertilisation

The fusion of male and female gametes leading to formation of zygote.

Implantation

Attachment of the blastocyst to the uterine wall.

Gestation

Embryonic development within the uterus.

Parturition

Delivery of the baby.

Scrotum

Pouch outside the abdominal cavity that maintains the low temperature of the testes necessary for spermatogenesis.

Testicular Lobules

Compartments within the testis, each containing one to three highly coiled seminiferous tubules.

Seminiferous Tubules

Tubules within the testicular lobules where sperms are produced.

Spermatogonia

Male germ cells lining the seminiferous tubules that undergo meiotic divisions to form sperms.

Sertoli Cells

Cells within the seminiferous tubules that provide nutrition to the germ cells.

Interstitial Spaces

Regions outside the seminiferous tubules containing blood vessels and Leydig cells.

Leydig Cells

Cells in the interstitial spaces that synthesise and secrete androgens (testicular hormones).

Rete Testis

Network of tubules that the seminiferous tubules of the testis open into.

Vasa Efferentia

Ducts that leave the testis and open into the epididymis.

Epididymis

Structure located along the posterior surface of each testis where the vasa efferentia open into.

Vas Deferens

Duct that ascends to the abdomen, loops over the urinary bladder, and receives a duct from the seminal vesicle.

Ejaculatory Duct

Duct formed by the union of the vas deferens and the duct from the seminal vesicle, which opens into the urethra.

Urethral Meatus

External opening of the urethra.

Glans Penis

Enlarged end of penis covered by foreskin.

Foreskin

Loose fold of skin covering the glans penis.

Seminal Plasma

Secretions of the male accessory glands (seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral glands) rich in fructose, calcium, and enzymes.

Ovaries

Primary female sex organs that produce the female gamete (ovum) and several steroid hormones (ovarian hormones).

Ovarian Stroma

Tissue of the ovary divided into a peripheral cortex and an inner medulla.

Oviducts (Fallopian Tubes)

Female accessory ducts that extend from the periphery of each ovary to the uterus.

Infundibulum

Funnel-shaped part of the fallopian tube closer to the ovary, possessing fimbriae.

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections on the edges of the infundibulum that help in the collection of the ovum after ovulation.

Ampulla

Wider part of the oviduct leading from the infundibulum.

Isthmus

Last part of the oviduct with a narrow lumen that joins the uterus.

Uterus (Womb)

Single, inverted pear-shaped structure supported by ligaments attached to the pelvic wall.

Cervix

Narrow opening of the uterus into the vagina.

Cervical Canal

Cavity of the cervix, which along with the vagina forms the birth canal.

Perimetrium

External thin membranous layer of the uterine wall.

Myometrium

Middle thick layer of smooth muscle in the uterine wall.

Endometrium

Inner glandular layer that lines the uterine cavity.

Mons Pubis

Cushion of fatty tissue covered by skin and pubic hair in the female external genitalia.

Labia Majora

Fleshy folds of tissue extending down from the mons pubis and surrounding the vaginal opening.

Labia Minora

Paired folds of tissue under the labia majora.

Hymen

Membrane that often covers the opening of the vagina partially.

Clitoris

Tiny finger-like structure at the upper junction of the two labia minora above the urethral opening.

Mammary Glands

Paired structures (breasts) containing glandular tissue and variable amount of fat.

Mammary Lobes

Divisions of the glandular tissue in each breast, containing clusters of cells called alveoli.

Alveoli (Mammary)

Clusters of cells within the mammary lobes that secrete milk.

Mammary Tubules

Structures that the alveoli open into.

Mammary Duct

Structure formed by the joining of tubules of each lobe.

Mammary Ampulla

Wider structure connected to the lactiferous duct.

Lactiferous Duct

Duct through which milk is sucked out.

Spermatogenesis

Process by which immature male germ cells (spermatogonia) produce sperms in the testis.

Primary Spermatocyte

A diploid spermatogonium that undergoes meiosis.

Secondary Spermatocytes

Two equal, haploid cells formed after a primary spermatocyte completes the first meiotic division.

Spermatids

Four equal, haploid cells produced after secondary spermatocytes undergo the second meiotic division.

Spermiogenesis

Process by which spermatids are transformed into spermatozoa (sperms).

Spermiation

Process by which sperm heads are released from the Sertoli cells and seminiferous tubules.

Acrosome

Cap-like structure covering the anterior portion of the sperm head, filled with enzymes that help in fertilization of the ovum.

Oogenesis

The process of formation of a mature female gamete.

Oogonia

Gamete mother cells formed within each fetal ovary during the embryonic development stage.

Primary Oocytes

Oogonia that start division and enter into prophase-I of the meiotic division and get temporarily arrested at that stage.

Primary Follicle

A primary oocyte surrounded by a layer of granulosa cells.

Secondary Follicles

Primary follicles surrounded by more layers of granulosa cells and a new theca.

Tertiary Follicle

Secondary follicle characterized by a fluid-filled cavity called antrum.

Secondary Oocyte

A large haploid cell and a tiny first polar body formed after the primary oocyte within the tertiary follicle completes its first meiotic division.

Graafian Follicle

Mature follicle developed from the tertiary follicle.

Zona Pellucida

A new membrane formed by the secondary oocyte.

Ovulation

Process by which the Graafian follicle ruptures to release the secondary oocyte (ovum) from the ovary.

Menstrual Cycle

The reproductive cycle in the female primates.

Menarche

The first menstruation which begins at puberty.

Menstrual Phase

Phase of the menstrual cycle when menstrual flow occurs due to breakdown of the endometrial lining of the uterus.

Follicular Phase

Phase of the menstrual cycle when the primary follicles in the ovary grow to become a fully mature Graafian follicle.

Luteal Phase

Phase of the menstrual cycle following ovulation, during which the remaining parts of the Graafian follicle transform as the corpus luteum.

Corpus Luteum

Structure formed from the remaining parts of the Graafian follicle after ovulation.

Menopause

The stage when Menstrual cycles ceases around 50 years of age.

Insemination (Copulation)

Semen is released by the penis into the vagina.

Fertilization

The process of fusion of a sperm with an ovum.

Cleavage

The mitotic division that starts as the zygote moves through the isthmus of the oviduct towards the uterus.

Blastomeres

2, 4, 8, 16 daughter cells.

Morula

The embryo with 8 to 16 blastomeres.

Blastocyst

Structure that the morula divides and transforms into as it moves further into the uterus.

Trophoblast

Outer layer of blastocyst.

Inner Cell Mass

Inner group of cells attached to trophoblast.

Implantation

It leads to pregnancy. The blastocyst becomes embedded in the endometrium of the uterus.

Placenta

The chorionic villi and uterine tissue become interdigitated with each other and jointly form a structural and functional unit between developing embryo (foetus) and maternal body.

Umbilical Cord

How the placenta is connected to the embryo which helps in the transport of substances to and from the embryo.

Gestation Period

The average duration of human pregnancy is about 9 months.

Parturition

This process of delivery of the foetus (childbirth).

Lactation

The mammary glands of the female undergo differentiation during pregnancy and starts producing milk towards the end of pregnancy.

Colostrum

The milk produced during the initial few days of lactation.