Nancy Body systems 4

Gonads Primary Function

To promote sexual maturation at puberty and fulfill subsequent systemic reproductive needs.

Testosterone Male Mnemonic

Androgen hormone produced by interstitial cells that drives sperm production and secondary sex characteristics.

Male Climacteric

A developmental period marking a decrease in testosterone levels and a corresponding decline in sexual function.

Spermatogenesis

The ongoing meiotic process by which undifferentiated spermatogonia mature into functional haploid sperm cells.

Meiosis I vs. Meiosis II

Meiosis I replicates and separates homologous chromosome pairs; Meiosis II separates chromatids into independent chromosomes.

Spermiogenesis

The final stage of spermatogenesis where a spermatid physically matures into a single mobile spermatozoon.

Spermatic Duct Pathway

Sperm travel sequentially through seminiferous tubules; rete testes; efferent ductules; epididymis; vas deferens; and ejaculatory ducts.

Efferent Ductules

Small ciliated tubes that use synchronized ciliary motion to transport sperm from the rete testis to the epididymis.

Epididymis Function

Connected to the posterior testis border to store; protect; and peristaltically move sperm during a 20-day maturation phase.

Ductus Deferens (Vas Deferens)

Muscular tubes passing upward from the epididymis tail through the spermatic cord and inguinal canal into the pelvis.

Ejaculatory Duct

Formed behind the bladder where the vas deferens joins a seminal vesicle duct; passing straight through the prostate.

Seminal Vesicles

Saclike structures contributing 60% of semen volume via a thick; yellow fluid rich in fructose energy and prostaglandins.

Prostate Gland

Surrounds the proximal urethra to secrete an alkaline fluid (30% of semen) that enhances sperm motility and neutralizes vaginal acid.

Bulbourethral Glands (Cowper)

Glands within the external urethral sphincter secreting a pre-ejaculatory alkaline lubricating mucus to counteract residual urethral acid.

Semen Composition

An alkaline fluid (pH 7.2-8.0) composed of 60% seminal vesicle fluid; 30% prostatic fluid; and 10% sperm cells.

Anatomical Penis Regions

Divided structurally into the fixed root attaching to the wall; the movable body shaft; and the distal glans penis.

Corpora Cavernosa vs. Corpus Spongiosum

The penis contains two superior columns of corpora cavernosa and one inferior column of corpus spongiosum surrounding the urethra.

Penile Erection Mechanism

Parasympathetic fibers trigger local nitric oxide release; relaxing smooth muscle and dilating arterioles to engorge erectile tissues.

Emission vs. Ejaculation

Emission is sympathetic-driven peristalsis moving semen into the urethra; ejaculation is a somatic spinal reflex forcing semen out.

Ovaries Essential Role

Solid pelvic organs producing immature gamete oocytes; secreting inhibin; and producing estrogen and progesterone hormones.

Oogenesis Timeline

Begins in utero as oogonia become primary oocytes; arrests in meiosis until puberty; and restarts monthly via FSH stimulation.

Secondary Oocyte vs. Polar Bodies

Primary oocyte division yields one large functional secondary oocyte and small non-functional; degenerating polar bodies.

Zygote Formation

The unequal meiotic division triggered strictly by sperm entry; creating a tiny second polar body and a diploid zygote.

Menarche vs. Menopause

Menarche is the onset of a female's first menses (ages 11-14); menopause is the permanent cessation of childbearing menses (ages 40-50).

Menstrual Cycle Divisions

Simultaneously links the ovarian cycle (follicle changes) with the uterine cycle (endometrial lining alterations).

Ovarian Follicular Phase

Days 1-13 where FSH stimulates follicle development and high estrogen levels trigger a massive LH surge.

Ovulation

The mid-cycle rupture of a mature ovarian follicle on day 14 that releases the secondary oocyte (ovum).

Ovarian Luteal Phase

Days 14-28 where the ruptured follicle becomes the corpus luteum; secreting hormones to inhibit further FSH follicle growth.

Corpus Luteum Lifespan

Secretes hormones for 90 days if fertilization occurs; shrinks into a white corpus albicans and degrades if unfertilized.

Uterine Proliferative Phase

Days 5-14 where rising estrogen from the developing ovarian follicle stimulates the endometrium lining to thicken.

Uterine Secretory Phase

Days 15-28 where corpus luteum progesterone signals endometrial glands to secrete nutritional glycogen for a potential embryo.

Uterine Tubes (Fallopian)

Four-inch muscular ducts lined with moving cilia that sweep an ovulated oocyte from the ovary toward the uterine cavity.

Anatomical Uterus Regions

An inverted pear-shaped muscular pelvic organ divided into a superior dome fundus; a large body cavity; and an inferior cervix neck.

Uterine Wall Layers

Outer protective perimetrium; middle thick muscular myometrium for labor contractions; and inner mucosal endometrium shed during menses.

Vagina Primary Functions

Eliminates menstrual fluids; receives the penis during copulation; holds spermatozoa; and serves as the primary birth canal.

Vaginal pH Balance

The breakdown of mucosal glycogen creates an acidic; low-pH barrier against bacteria that requires alkaline semen to neutralize.

Bartholin Glands

Two tiny glandular openings inside the lower vagina secreting lubricating mucus into the vestibule during sexual arousal.

Hymen

A thin border membrane of connective tissue and epithelium that partially encloses and protects the external vaginal orifice.

Mammary Glands Anatomy

Modified sweat glands housed in breast adipose tissue where anterior prolactin drives milk production and posterior oxytocin drives ejection.

Vulva (Pudendum)

The collective external female genitalia including the mons pubis; labia majora; labia minora; clitoris; and vestibule.

Perineum

The specific anatomical region of soft tissue lying directly between the posterior vaginal opening and the anterior anus.

Clitoris

A small; highly innervated anterior mass of cylindrical erectile tissue structurally homologous to the glans penis of a male.

Female Vestibule

The central cleft enclosed by the labia minora that houses the separate urethral orifice and vaginal opening.

Female Urethra Infection Risk

Averages only 4 cm (1.6 inches) in length; making women drastically more prone to ascending bladder and urinary tract infections.

Female Orgasm Transport

Stimulates lumbar/sacral spinal reflexes that trigger rhythmic contractions of perineal; uterine; and fallopian muscles to help propel sperm upward.