Medical Term - Chapter 10: Reproductive System

Learning Objectives

  • 10.1 Identify and define the combining forms, suffixes, and prefixes introduced in this chapter.

  • 10.2 Correctly spell and pronounce medical terms and major anatomical structures relating to the reproductive systems.

  • 10.3 Locate and describe the major organs of the reproductive systems and their functions.

  • 10.4 Use medical terms to describe circumstances relating to pregnancy.

  • 10.5 Identify and define reproductive system anatomical terms.

  • 10.6 Identify and define selected reproductive system pathology terms.

  • 10.7 Identify the symptoms and origin of sexually transmitted diseases.

  • 10.8 Identify and define selected reproductive system diagnostic procedures.

  • 10.9 Identify and define selected reproductive system therapeutic procedures.

  • 10.10 Identify and define selected medications relating to the reproductive systems.

  • 10.11 Define selected abbreviations associated with the reproductive systems.

Female Reproductive System Overview

  • The female reproductive system performs four main functions:

    • Produces ova (egg cells)

    • Provides a place for fertilization and fetal growth

    • Secretes sex hormones

    • Produces milk

  • Major components of the female reproductive system include:

    • Ovaries

    • Uterine tubes (fallopian tubes)

    • Uterus

    • Vagina

    • Vulva

    • Breasts

Female Reproductive System Combining Forms

  • Combining Form - Definition:

    • amni/o - amnion

    • cervic/o - neck, cervix

    • chori/o - chorion

    • colp/o - vagina

    • culd/o - cul-de-sac

    • dilat/o - to widen

    • embry/o - embryo

    • episi/o - vulva

    • estr/o - female

    • fet/o - fetus

    • gynec/o - female

    • hymen/o - hymen

    • hyster/o - uterus

    • lact/o - milk

    • mamm/o - breast

    • mast/o - breast

    • men/o - menstruation

    • metr/o - uterus

    • nat/o - birth

    • o/o - ovum

    • oophor/o - ovary

    • ov/o, ov/i - ovum

    • ovari/o - ovary

    • pareun/o - sexual intercourse

    • perine/o - perineum

    • radic/o - root

    • salping/o - uterine (fallopian) tubes

    • uter/o - uterus

    • vagin/o - vagina

    • vulv/o - vulva

Female Reproductive System Suffixes

  • Suffix - Definition:

    • –arche - beginning

    • –cyesis - state of pregnancy

    • –genesis - produces

    • –gravida - pregnant woman

    • –para - to bear (offspring)

    • –partum - childbirth

    • –salpinx - uterine tube

    • –tocia - labor

Female Reproductive System Prefixes

  • Prefix - Definition:

    • ante- - before, in front of

    • contra- - against

    • primi- - first

Anatomy and Physiology of the Female Reproductive System

  • Components:

    • Internal Genitalia:

      • Uterus

      • Two ovaries

      • Two uterine tubes

      • Vagina

    • External Genitalia:

      • Collectively referred to as the vulva

  • Major Functions:

    • The system supports ovum production, fertilization, gestation, and childbirth in women.

Internal Genitalia: Ovaries

  • Characteristics:

    • Two almond-shaped glands located on either side of the uterus

    • Produce and release an ovum approximately every 28 days (ovulation) influenced by anterior pituitary hormones

    • Secrete sex hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone

Internal Genitalia: Uterine Tubes

  • Function:

    • Transport ovum from ovary to uterus

    • Finger-like fimbriae direct the ovum into the tubes

    • Fertilization typically occurs in the upper half of uterine tubes

Internal Genitalia: Uterus

  • Description:

    • Hollow, pear-shaped organ located in the pelvic cavity.

    • Subdivided into:

      • Fundus: upper portion

      • Corpus: central portion

      • Cervix: lower portion

    • Layers:

      • Endometrium: inner layer possessing a rich blood supply

      • Myometrium: middle muscular layer

      • Perimetrium: outer layer that provides structural support

  • Menstrual Cycle:

    • Without pregnancy, the endometrium is sloughed off, resulting in menstruation (menstrual period).

    • Menarche marks the first menstruation around ages 12, while menopause signifies the end of menstruation often between ages 40 and 55.

Internal Genitalia: Vagina

  • Function:

    • Thin muscular tube lined with mucous membrane extending from the cervix to the exterior

    • Allows passage of menstrual flow and receives the penis and semen during intercourse; serves as the birth canal

    • The hymen covers the external orifice and Bartholin's glands provide lubrication for intercourse

Vulva

  • Definition: General name for external structures of the female reproductive system.

  • Key components include:

    • Labia Majora and Minora: skin folds protecting genitalia, vaginal orifice, and urinary meatus

    • Clitoris: erectile tissue responsive to stimulation

    • Perineum: area between vaginal orifice and anus

Breasts

  • Function: Produce milk through lactation to nourish an infant.

  • Composed of lactiferous glands (milk production) and ducts to nipple; areola is pigmented skin around the nipple.

Pregnancy Overview

  • Definition: Period wherein fetus develops in the uterus.

  • Duration: Normal pregnancy or gestation typically lasts 40 weeks.

  • Stages:

    • From implantation to week 8, the embryo forms.

    • From week 8 until birth, the organs mature, resulting in the fetus.

    • Nourishment: Provided through the placenta, which detaches post-birth.

  • Amnion and Chorion: Protective sacs encompassing the fetus.

Labor and Delivery

  • Stages of Labor:

    • First Stage: Dilation

    • Uterine contractions expel the fetus; cervix dilates and thins (effacement)

    • Second Stage: Expulsion

    • Begins at 10 cm dilation and ends with delivery; baby's head often emerges first

    • Third Stage: Placental Stage

    • Expulsion of the placenta occurs right after birth

Additional Combining Forms for Female Reproductive System

  • Combining Forms:

    • abdomin/o - abdomen;

    • cyst/o - urinary bladder;

    • fibr/o - fibers;

    • ** lact/o** - milk;

    • men/o - menstruation;

    • metr/o - uterus;

    • nat/o - birth;

    • olig/o - scanty;

    • perine/o - perineum;

    • salping/o - uterine tube;

    • ** uter/o** - uterus

    • vagin/o - vagina

    • vulv/o - vulva

Additional Suffixes for Female Reproductive System

  • -rrhea - discharge

  • -salpinx - uterine tube;

  • -tocia - labor and childbirth

Additional Procedures and Terms

  • Diagnostic Procedures:

    • Cervical Biopsy: removal and examination of cervical tissue.

    • Endometrial Biopsy (EMB): sample of endometrial tissue removed for analysis.

    • Pelvic Examination: physical examination of vagina and adjacent organs using a speculum.

Reproductive System Pharmacology

  • Drug Types and Uses:

    • Abortifacient: Terminates pregnancy (e.g., Mifeprex, Prostin E2)

    • Fertility drugs: Triggers ovulation (e.g., Clomid, Gonal-F)

    • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Replaces estrogen post-menopause (e.g., Cenestin, Premarin)

    • Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs): Prevents ovulation (e.g., Ortho-Cept, Lo/Ovral)

Medical Specialties

  • Gynecology: Specialization in female reproductive system (Gynecologist)

  • Neonatology: Focus on newborns (Neonatologist)

  • Obstetrics: Specialization in pregnancy and childbirth (Obstetrician)

Male Reproductive System Overview

  • The male reproductive system performs three main functions:

    • Produces sperm

    • Delivers sperm to the female

    • Secretes male sex hormones

  • Includes:

    • Testes

    • Epididymis

    • Penis

    • Vas deferens

    • Seminal vesicles

    • Prostate gland

    • Bulbourethral glands

Male Reproductive System Combining Forms

  • Combining Form - Definition:

    • andr/o - male

    • balan/o - glans penis

    • crypt/o - hidden

    • epididym/o - epididymis

    • orch/o, orchi/o, orchid/o - testes

    • pen/o - penis

    • prostat/o - prostate gland

    • spermat/o - sperm

    • testicul/o - testes

    • vas/o - vas deferens

    • vesicul/o - seminal vesicle

Anatomy and Physiology of the Male Reproductive System

  • Components:

    • External Organs: Penis, two testes, each with epididymis

    • Penis: Contains urethra for urine and sperm expulsion

    • Internal Organs: Seminal vesicles, vas deferens, prostate, bulbourethral glands

External Organs of Reproduction: Testes

  • Function: Produce sperm in seminiferous tubules and maintain lower temperature in scrotum

  • Secretes Testosterone: Primary androgen responsible for male characteristics and sperm development

Internal Organs of Reproduction: Prostate Gland

  • Location: Below urinary bladder, surrounding urethra

  • Function: Secretes alkaline fluid into semen, neutralizing the acidity for sperm survival

Clinical Laboratory Tests

  • Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA): Blood test for prostate cancer screening

  • Semen Analysis: Evaluates sperm count, motility, and morphology during fertility assessment

Surgical Procedures in Male Reproductive System

  • Balanoplasty: Surgical repair of glans penis

  • Castration: Removal of testes

  • Circumcision: Removal of prepuce

  • Orchidectomy: Surgical removal of a testis

  • Vasectomy: Surgical cut of vas deferens to prevent sperm exit

Conclusion

  • This chapter provides in-depth information on the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of both female and male reproductive systems. It also discusses critical medical terminology and related procedures essential for understanding reproductive health.