Reproductive System
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bridgetmunoz92 on April 25, 2009
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150 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 gametes | male and female reproductive cells. (sperm or eggs) |
| gonads | reproductive organs that produce gametes and hormones. (testes and ovaries) |
| reproductive system | includes gonads, ducts, accessory glands and organs, and perineal structures. |
| ducts | receive and transport the gametes. |
| accessory glands and organs | secrete fluids into the ducts of the reproductive system or into other excretory ducts. |
| testes | male gonads that produce gamestes and secrete sex hormones called androgens, mostly testosterone. |
| sperm (spermatozoa) | male gametes produced by testis (one- half billion produced per day). |
| semen | mixture created during emission, when mature spermatozoa travel along a lengthy duct system where they are mixed with the secretions of accessory glands. |
| ovaries | female gonads that release one immature gamete per month. |
| oocyte | immature gamete released by the ovaries. |
| ovum | what the oocyte matures and becomes, if a sperm reaches the oocyte and initiates the process of fertilization. |
| ejaculation | semen is expelled from the body. |
| vagina | short passageway, that connects the uterus with the exterior. |
| sexual intercourse | when semen enters the vagina and the spermatozoa then ascends the female reproductive tract. |
| embryo | if fertilization occurs along the female reproductive tract, the uterus will enclose and support this as it develops and grows into a fetus. |
| sperm flow | testis --> epididymis --> vas deferens --> ejaculatory duct --> urethra |
| external genitalia | male - scrotum and penis. |
| penis | erectile organ through which the distal portion of urethra passes. |
| scrotum | fleshy pouch suspended inferior to the perineum with testes hanging within, anterior to the anus and posterior to penis. |
| gubernaculum testis | testis that form inside the body cavity adjacent to the kidneys; bundle of connective tissue fibers. |
| cryptorchidism | one or both of the testes have not descended into the scrotum by the time of birth. (lodged in the abdominal cavity or inguinal canal) |
| cryptorchid testis | will not produce spermatozoa, therefor infertile or sterile. |
| descent of the testes | period in which testis move through the abdominal musculature, accompanied by small pockets of peritoneal cavity. |
| orchiectomy | surgical removal of a testis. |
| spermatic cords | paired structures extending between the abdominopelvic cavity and the testes. Inculdes layers of fascia and muscle enclosing the ductus deferens and blood vessels, nerves and lymphatic vessels that supply the testes. |
| inguinal hernias | protrusions of visceral tissues or organs into the inguinal canal. |
| raphe | raised thickening in the scrotal surface that separates the two chambers. |
| scrotal cavity | separate chamber that each testes lies in. |
| tunica vaginalis | serous membrane that lines the scrotal cavity and reduces friction between parietal (scrotal) and visceral (testicular) surfaces. |
| dartos muscle | layer of smooth muscle in dermis. (resting muscle elevates testes and causes the wrinkling of the scrotal surface) |
| cremaster muscle | layer of skeletal muscle deep to the dermis. (contractions during sexual arousal or in response to decreased testicular temperature tenses the scrotum and pulls the testes closer to the body) |
| tunica albuginea | dense layer of connective tissue rich in collagen fibers that covers the testes or ovaries. |
| lobules | division of the testes by the septa. |
| seminiferous tubules | where sperm production occurs, within lobules of testes. |
| interstitial cells (cells of Leydig) | contained in spaces between the seminiferous tubules. (responsible for production of androgens, dominant sex hormones in males) |
| testosterone | most important androgen. |
| spermatogenesis | process of producing sperm. (begins in outermost layer of cells in seminiferous tubules and proceeds toward the lumen) |
| spermatogonia | divide by mistosis to produce two daughter cells, one remains as a spermatogonium while other becomes primary spermatocyte. |
| primary spermatocytes | cells that begin meiosis (male=spermatozoa and female=ova) |
| spermatids | immature gametes that differentiate into spermatozoa, lose contact with wall of seminiferous tubule and enter fluid in the lumen. (from secondary spermatocytes) |
| sustentacular cells | attached to the tubular capsule and extend to the lumens between the other types of cells. |
| meiosis | specialized form of cells division involved only in production of gametes. |
| (1) mitosis (2) meiosis (3) spermiogenesis | Three processes involved in spermatogenesis |
| spermiogenesis | spermatids begin as small unspecialized cells, that differentiate into physically mature spermatozoa. |
| mitosis | process of somatic cell division, producing two daughter cells each containing identical pairs of chromosomes. |
| diploid cells | contain both members of each chromosome pair. |
| meiosis | involves two cycles of cell division and produces four cells that contain only one member of each pair of chromosomes. |
| haploid cells | contain only one member of each pair of chromosomes. |
| synapsis | corresponding maternal and paternal chromosomes come together, involving 23 pairs of chromosomes, each member of each pair consists of two chromatids. |
| tetrad | matched set of four chromatids. |
| reductional division | reduces the number of chromosomes from 46 to 23. |
| equational division | number of chromosomes has not changed. |
| spermiation | sperm matures and loses its attachment to sustentacular cell and enters the lumen of the seminiferous tubule. |
| Functions of Sustentacular cells | (1) Maintenance of blood - testis barrier (2) support of mitosis and meiosis (3) support of spermiogenesis (4) secretion of inhibin (5) secretion of androgen-binding protein (6) secretion of mullerian-inhibiting factor |
| flagellum | whiplike organelle that moves a cell from one place to another. |
| tail | only flagellum in the human body. |
| spermatozoon | mobile carrier for the enclosed chromosomes. (lack glycogen or other energy reserve, must absorb nutrients (fructose) from the surrounding fluid. |
| puberty | when spermatogenesis begins. |
| epididymis | start of the male reproductive tract .(immobile gametes are transported by fluid currents created by cilia of ductules. |
| Functions of Epididymis | (1) monitors and adjusts composition of fluid produced by seminiferous tubules. (2) recycling cener for damaged spermatozoa (3) stores and protects spermatozao and facilitates maturation |
| motile | actively swimming. |
| capacitation | process in which spermatozoa become fully functional. (1) become motile when mixed with secretions of seminal vesicles (2) capable of fertilization when exposed to female reproductive tract. |
| ampulla | expanded portion of the vas deferens. |
| vas deferens (ductus deferens) | begins at tail of epididymis, part of the spermatic cord, ascends thought the inguinal canal. |
| ejaculatory duct | short passageway penetrates the muscular wall of the prostate gland and empties into the urethra. |
| urethra | extends from the urinary bladder to tip of penis. |
| urethra | passageway used by both the urinary and reproductive systems. |
| accessory glands | includes seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands. |
| Functions of Accessory Glands | (1) activate spermatozoa (2) provide nutrients needed for motility (3) propel spermatozoa and fluids along reproductive tract (4) produce buffers that counteract acidity of urethral and vaginal environments |
| seminal vesicles | glands embedded in connective tissue between the bladder and the rectum. |
| seminal vesicles | make up 60% of the volume of semen. |
| prostate gland | small, muscular organ that produces secretions that are ejected into urethra. |
| prostatic fluid | slightly acidic solution, produced by prostate gland, contributes 20-30% of volume of semen. |
| seminalplasmin | antibiotic that helps prevent urinary tract infections in males, produced by the prostate gland. |
| prostatitis | prostatic inflammation, resulting from bacterial infections or absence of pathogens. |
| bulbourethral glands (cowper's glands) | secrete thick, alkaline mucus that neutralizes any urinary acids that may remain in the urethra and lubricates tip of penis. |
| ejaculate | includes the spermatozoa, seminal fluid, and enzymes. |
| circumcision | surgical removal of the prepuce or foreskin that surrounds the penis. |
| GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) | secreted in relatively steady pulses; stimulates FSH and LH synthesis in males and females. |
| FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) | (male)-stimulates spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis with effects on sustentacular cells. (female)-stimulates follicle development, estrogen production, and oocyte maturation. |
| LH (luteinizing hormone) | (male)-stimulates interstitial cells to secrete testosterone. (female)-stimulates ovulation, formation of corpus luteum and progesterone secretion. |
| female reproductive organs | ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina and external genitalia. |
| broad ligament | extensive mesentery that encloses the ovaries, uterine tubes and uterus. |
| mesovarium | thickened fold of mesentery that supports and stabilizes the position of each ovary. |
| rectouterine pouch | pocket formed between the posterior wall of the uterus and the anterior surface of the colon. |
| vesicouterine pouch | pocket formed between the uterus and the posterior wall of the bladder. |
| functions of ovaries | (1) production of female gametes, or oocytes (2) secretion of female sex hormones (estrogens, progestins) (3) secretion of inhibin that controls FSH production |
| ovarian ligament | stabilizes the ovary, extending from the uterus, near attachment of uterine tube, to medial surface of ovary. |
| suspensory ligament | stabilizes ovary, extending from the lateral surface of the ovary to the pelvic wall. |
| oogenesis | ovum production begins before a woman's birth, accelerates at puberty and ends at menopause. |
| ovarian cycle | oogenesis occurs on a monthly basis between puberty and menopause. |
| oogonia | female stem cells (complete mitotic divisions before birth). |
| primary oocyte | daughter cells (diploid) that emerge during fetal development, then remain in suspended development until puberty, when rising levels of FSH trigger start of ovarian cycle. |
| atresia | primordial follicles that degenerate. (2 million at birth to 400,000 at puberty) |
| polar bodies | nonfuctional cells of the primary oocyte that later disentegrate. |
| secondary oocyte | released by ovary instead of mature ovum, meiosis will not be completed unless fertilization occurs. |
| ovarian follicles | specialized structures in the cortex of the ovaries where oocyte growth and meiosis I occur. |
| primordial follicle | primary oocyte and its follcle cells. |
| phases of ovarian cycle | (1) follicular phase or preovulatory phase (2) luteal phase or postovulatory phase |
| 6 Steps of ovarian cycle | (1) formation of primary follicles (2) formation of secondary follicles (3) formation of tertiary follicle (4) ovulation (5) formation and degeneration of corpus luteum (6) unless fertilization occurs, corpus luteum begins to degenerate about 12 days after ovulation |
| ovulation | tertiary follicle releases the secondary oocyte. |
| corona radiata | protective layer of granulosa cells that surround the secondary oocyte. |
| progesterone | principal hormone in the luteal phase, which prepares the uterus for pregnancy by stimulating the maturation of the uterine lining and the secretions of uterine glands. |
| corpus albicans | knot of pale scar tissue that remains when corpus luteum disentegrates. |
| involution | disentegration of the corpus luteum, marking the end of the ovarian cycle, which begins with activating another group of primordial follicles. |
| sections of uterine tubules | (1) infundibulum (2) ampulla (3) isthmus |
| oocyte transport | involves a combination of ciliary movement and peristaltic contractions in the walls of the uterine tube. |
| uterus | provides mechanical protection, nutritional support and waste removal for the developing embryo and fetus. |
| anteflexion | condition in which the uterus bends anteriorly at its base. |
| retroflexion | condition in which the uterus bends backward toward the sacrum. |
| uterosacral ligament, round ligament, lateral ligament | ligaments that stabalize the position of the uterus and limit its range of movement. |
| body (corpus) | largest portion of the uterus. |
| fundus | rounded portion of uterine body, superior to the uterine tubes. |
| cervix | inferior portion of the uterus that extends to the vagina. |
| external os (cervical os) | external orifice of the uterus. |
| internal os | internal orifice of the uterus. |
| uterine arteries | branches in which uterus receives blood, extensively interconnected to ensure reliable flow despite changes in position and shape during pregnancy. |
| myometrium | thick, outer muscular layer of uterine wall (thickest portion, constitutes almost 90 percent of mass of uterus) |
| endometrium (mucosa) | thin, inner glandular layer of uterine wall. |
| perimetrium | serous membrane that is continuous with peritoneal lining. |
| cervical cancer | most common cancer of reproductive system in women. |
| uterine cycle (menstual cycle) | repeating series of changes in the structure of the endometrium. |
| 3 phases of uterine cycle | (1) menses (2) proliferative phase (3) secretory phase |
| menses | degeneration of the functional zone of the endometrium. |
| menstruation | process of endometrial sloughing, lasting one to seven days. |
| dysmenorrhea | painful menstruation, resulting from uterine inflammation, myometrial contractions (cramps), or from conditions involving adjacent pelvic structures. |
| proliferative phase | endometrium is reorganized with growth and vascularization. |
| secretory phase | endometrial glands enlarge, accelerating rates of secretion. (begins at time of ovulation and persists as long as corpus luteum remains intact.) |
| menarche | first menstrual cycle. (usually at 11-12 years) |
| menopause | termination of the uterine cycle (age 45-55) |
| amenorrhea | condition in which menarche does not appear by age 16 or the normal uterine cycle of adult becomes interrupted for 6 months or more. |
| primary amenorrhea | failure to initiate menses. (due to developmental abnormalities, nonfunctional ovaries, absence of uterus, or endocrine or genetic disorder.) |
| secondary amenorrhea | caused by severe physical or emotional stresses. |
| vagina | elastic, muscular tube extending between the cervix and vestibule or external genitalia. |
| 3 functions of vagina | (1) passageway for elimination of menstrual fluids (2) receives penis during sexual intercourse and holds spermatozoa prior to passage into uterus (3) forms inferior portion of birth canal |
| hymen | elastic epithelial fold that partially or completely blocks the entrance to vagina. |
| vaginitis | inflammation of the vagina canal, caused by fungi, bacteria or parasites. |
| labia minora | small folds surrounding the vagina. |
| labia majora | prominent folds of skins that encircle and partially conceal the labia minora and adjacent structures. |
| mammary glands | glands where milk production occurs.specialized organs that are controlled by hormones of the reproductive system and placenta. |
| lactation | milk production. |
| FSH and LH | cyclic changes in these hormone levels are responsible for the maintenance of the ovarian cycle. |
| progesterone and estrogen (produced by ovaries) | hormones that regulate the uterine cycle. |
| sexual intercourse (coitus) | copulation, introduces semen into the female reproductive tract. |
| arousal | leads to a parasympathetic outflow over the pelvic nerves. |
| emission | occurs under sympathetic stimulation when peristaltic contractions push fluid and spermatozoz into the prostatic urethra. |
| ejaculation | powerful, rhythmic contractions push semen toward the external urethral opening. |
| detumescence | after ejaculation blood begins to leave the erectile tissue and erection begins to subside, mediated by the sympathetic nervous system. |
| impotence | inability to achieve or maintain erection. |
| male climacteric (andropause) | level of circulating testosterone begin to decline. (usually 50-60 years and levels of FSH and LH increase) |
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