Sex Hormones, Sexual Differentiation, and the Menstrual Cycle chapter 5

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering sex hormones, prenatal sexual differentiation, pubertal transitions, and the biological stages and pathologies of the menstrual cycle.

Hormones

Powerful chemical substances manufactured by the endocrine glands and secreted directly into the bloodstream.

Testosterone

A masculinizing sex hormone; considered the most important sex hormone in males.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

A pituitary hormone that controls sperm production in males and stimulates ovarian follicles to ripen an egg in females.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

A pituitary hormone that controls testosterone production in males.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

A hormone that regulates the pituitary gland's secretion of gonad-stimulating hormones.

Estrogen

A female sex hormone that brings about many of the changes of puberty and stimulates the endometrium during the menstrual cycle.

Progesterone

A female sex hormone manufactured by the corpus luteum that stimulates endometrial glands to secrete nourishing substances.

Prolactin

A hormone that stimulates the production of milk by the mammary glands.

Oxytocin

A hormone that stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth, promotes the ejection of milk from the nipples, and promotes affection.

Sex chromosomes

Chromosomes ($XX$ in females, $XY$ in males) that transmit information directing organs how to differentiate over the course of development.

SRY (sex-determining region, Y chromosome)

A genetic region on the Y chromosome whose presence directs undifferentiated gonads to differentiate into testes, initiating male development.

Epigenetics

Functional changes to DNA that do not alter the genetic code itself, but lead to changes in gene expression or gene silencing.

Müllerian ducts

Embryonic ducts in females that develop into the fallopian tubes, the uterus, and the upper part of the vagina.

Wolffian ducts

Embryonic ducts in males that, when supported by testosterone, develop into the epididymis, vas deferens, and ejaculatory duct.

Cryptorchidism

A condition of undescended testes, occurring when testes fail to descend via the inguinal canal into the scrotum; affects approximately 2% of males.

Plasticity of the brain

The brain's capacity for constant change in response to experiences a person has.

Homologous organs

Organs in the male and female that develop from the same embryonic tissue.

Analogous organs

Organs in the male and female that have similar functions.

Intersex (pseudohermaphrodite)

A biological condition in which a person's anatomical or chromosomal sex is ambiguous.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

Also called adrenogenital syndrome; a condition where normally developed ovaries begin to function abnormally later in prenatal development.

Androgen-insensitivity Syndrome (AIS)

A condition where a genetic male produces normal testosterone levels, but body tissues are insensitive to it, resulting in feminized prenatal development.

Puberty

The period of sudden enlargement and maturation of the gonads, other genitalia, and secondary sex characteristics, leading to reproductive capacity.

Adolescence

A psychological transition from the behavior and attitudes of a child to the behavior, attitudes, and responsibilities of an adult.

Menarche

The first occurrence of menstruation, typically taking place at about 12 to 13 years of age.

Follicular phase (proliferative phase)

The menstrual phase in which high FSH stimulates ovarian follicles, one follicle matures an egg and secretes estrogen, and estrogen stimulates the endometrium.

Ovulation

The phase of the menstrual cycle in which the ovarian follicle ruptures open and releases a ripened egg.

Luteal phase (secretory phase)

The menstrual phase in which the ruptured follicle becomes the corpus luteum, producing progesterone that stimulates endometrial glands to secrete nourishing substances.

Corpus luteum

The endocrine structure formed from an ovarian follicle after ovulation that produces estrogen and progesterone for about 10 to 12 days.

Menstruation

The shedding of the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) that takes place when pregnancy has not occurred.

Menstrual fluid

A substance shed during menstruation consisting of blood from the endometrium, degenerated cells, and mucus from the cervix and vagina.

Mittelschmerz

Middle pain; lower abdominal cramping that some women experience during ovulation.

Anovulatory cycle

A menstrual cycle in which menstruation occurs without the release of an egg (ovulation).

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation, with prostaglandins identified as a possible cause.

Endometriosis

A condition in which endometrial tissue grows in an anatomical location other than the uterus.

Primary amenorrhea

The absence of menstruation in a female who has not menstruated by about age 18.

Secondary amenorrhea

The absence of menstruation in a female who has previously had at least one menstrual period.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

A combination of severe physical and psychological symptoms, such as depression and irritability, occurring just before menstruation.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

A formalized psychiatric diagnosis established by the American Psychiatric Association for severe premenstrual syndrome.