Reproductive System 1

Milk-secreting cells in the mammary gland

Alveoli (of the breast)

Middle portion of the uterine tube in which fertilization often occurs

Ampulla (of the uterine tube)

Fluid-filled chamber that characterizes a mature tertiary follicle

Antrum

Highly pigmented, circular area surrounding the raised nipple containing glands that secrete fluid for lubrication during suckling

Areola

Glands that produce a thick mucus that maintains moisture in the vulva area; also referred to as greater vestibular glands

Bartholin's glands

Tight junctions between Sertoli cells that prevent bloodborne pathogens from accessing later stages of spermatogenesis

Blood-testis barrier

Middle section of the uterus

Body of uterus

Wide ligament that supports the uterus by attaching laterally to both sides of the uterus and pelvic wall

Broad ligament

Glands that secrete a lubricating mucus that cleans and lubricates the urethra prior to and during ejaculation

Bulbourethral glands (Cowper's glands)

Elongate inferior end of the uterus where it connects to the vagina

Cervix

Nerve-rich area of the vulva that contributes to sensation during intercourse

Clitoris

Nonfunctional structure remaining in the ovarian stroma following structural and functional regression of the corpus luteum

Corpus albicans

Either of two columns of erectile tissue in the penis that fill with blood during an erection

Corpus cavernosum

Transformed follicle after ovulation that secretes progesterone

Corpus luteum

Column of erectile tissue in the penis that surrounds the penile urethra on the ventral portion

Corpus spongiosum

Duct that transports sperm from the epididymis through the spermatic cord and into the ejaculatory duct

Ductus deferens (vas deferens)

Duct that connects the ampulla of the ductus deferens with the duct of the seminal vesicle at the prostatic urethra

Ejaculatory duct

Inner lining of the uterus that builds up during the secretory phase and sheds during menses

Endometrium

Coiled tubular structure in which sperm start to mature and are stored until ejaculation

Epididymis

Fingerlike projections on the distal uterine tubes

Fimbriae

Ovarian structure consisting of one oocyte and surrounding granulosa (and later theca) cells

Follicle

Development of ovarian follicles from primordial to tertiary under the stimulation of gonadotropins

Folliculogenesis

Domed portion of the uterus that is superior to the uterine tubes

Fundus (of the uterus)

Haploid reproductive cell that contributes genetic material to form an offspring

Gamete

Bulbous end of the penis that contains a large number of nerve endings

Glans penis

Hormone released by the hypothalamus that regulates the production of FSH and LH from the pituitary gland

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

Reproductive organs that produce gametes and reproductive hormones

Gonads

Supportive cells in the ovarian follicle that produce estrogen

Granulosa cells

Membrane that covers part of the opening of the vagina

Hymen

Wide, distal portion of the uterine tube terminating in fimbriae

Infundibulum (of the uterine tube)

Opening in the abdominal wall that connects the testes to the abdominal cavity

Inguinal canal

Narrow, medial portion of the uterine tube that joins the uterus

Isthmus

Hair-covered folds of skin located behind the mons pubis

Labia majora

Thin, pigmented, hairless flaps of skin located medial and deep to the labia majora

Labia minora

Ducts that connect the mammary glands to the nipple and allow for the transport of milk

Lactiferous ducts

Area of milk collection between alveoli and lactiferous duct

Lactiferous sinus

Cells between the seminiferous tubules of the testes that produce testosterone

Leydig cells

Glands inside the breast that secrete milk

Mammary glands

First menstruation in a pubertal female

Menarche

Shedding of the inner portion of the endometrium out through the vagina

Menses

Phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrial lining is shed

Menses phase

Approximately 28-day cycle of changes in the uterus consisting of menses, proliferative, and secretory phases

Menstrual cycle

Mound of fatty tissue located at the front of the vulva

Mons pubis

Embryonic duct system that eventually forms internal female reproductive structures

Müllerian duct

Smooth muscle layer of the uterus that allows for contractions during labor

Myometrium

Cell resulting from oogonium division that undergoes meiosis to become an ovum

Oocyte

Process by which oogonia divide and undergo meiosis to produce a secondary oocyte and ovum

Oogenesis

Ovarian stem cells that undergo mitosis during female fetal development to form primary oocytes

Oogonia

Approximately 28-day cycle of changes in the ovary consisting of a follicular phase and a luteal phase

Ovarian cycle

Female gonads that produce oocytes and sex steroid hormones

Ovaries

Release of a secondary oocyte and associated granulosa cells from an ovary

Ovulation

Haploid female gamete resulting from completion of meiosis II at fertilization

Ovum

Male organ of copulation

Penis

Outer epithelial layer of the uterine wall

Perimetrium

Smaller cell produced during the process of meiosis in oogenesis

Polar body

Flap of skin that forms a collar around and protects the glans penis; foreskin

Prepuce

Ovarian follicles with a primary oocyte and a single layer of cuboidal granulosa cells

Primary follicles

Least developed ovarian follicles consisting of a single oocyte and a single layer of flat granulosa cells

Primordial follicles

Phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrium proliferates

Proliferative phase

Doughnut-shaped gland at the base of the bladder that surrounds the urethra and contributes fluid to semen

Prostate gland

Life stage during which an adolescent becomes anatomically and physiologically capable of reproduction

Puberty

Folds of skin in the vagina that allow it to stretch during intercourse and childbirth

Rugae (of the vagina)

External pouch of skin and muscle that houses the testes

Scrotum

Ovarian follicles with a primary oocyte and multiple layers of granulosa cells

Secondary follicles

Physical characteristics influenced by sex steroid hormones that have supporting roles in reproductive function

Secondary sex characteristics

Phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrium secretes a nutrient-rich fluid in preparation for embryo implantation

Secretory phase

Ejaculatory fluid composed of sperm and secretions from accessory glands

Semen

Gland that produces seminal fluid which contributes to semen

Seminal vesicle

Tube structures within the testes where spermatogenesis occurs

Seminiferous tubules

Cells that support germ cells through the process of spermatogenesis

Sertoli cells

Male gamete

Sperm (spermatozoon)

Bundle of nerves and blood vessels that supplies the testes and contains the ductus deferens

Spermatic cord

Immature sperm cells produced by meiosis II of secondary spermatocytes

Spermatid

Cell resulting from spermatogonium division that undergoes meiosis to form spermatids

Spermatocyte

Formation of new sperm in the seminiferous tubules of the testes

Spermatogenesis

Diploid precursor stem cells in the testes that eventually become sperm

Spermatogonia

Transformation of spermatids to spermatozoa during spermatogenesis

Spermiogenesis

Bands of connective tissue that suspend the breast onto the chest wall

Suspensory ligaments

Ovarian follicles with a primary or secondary oocyte, multiple layers of granulosa cells, and a fully formed antrum

Tertiary follicles (antral follicles)

Male gonads

Testes

Estrogen-producing cells in a maturing ovarian follicle

Theca cells

Ducts that facilitate transport of an ovulated oocyte to the uterus

Uterine tubes (fallopian tubes)

Muscular hollow organ in which a fertilized egg develops into a fetus

Uterus

Tunnel-like organ providing access to the uterus for semen insertion and passage for childbirth

Vagina

External female genitalia

Vulva

Embryonic duct system that eventually forms internal male reproductive structures

Wolffian duct