 | Term | Definition |
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gonads |
the essential organs of reproduction which produce the germ cells, the ovaries and testes |
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testes |
the primary reproductive organs of the male, they have both an exocrine (sperm production) and endocrine (testosterone production) function |
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scrotum |
the paired oval testes lie in this, outside the abdominopelvic cavity |
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duct system |
formed by the accessory structures the epididymis, ductus deferens, the ejaculatory duct, and the urethra |
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epididymis |
the elongated structure running up the posterolateral aspect of the testis and capping its superior aspect. It forms the first portion of the duct system and provides a site for immature sperm entering it from the testes to complete their maturation process |
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ductus deferens |
aka vas deferens/sperm duct. arches superiorly from the epididymis, it passes the inguinal canal into the pelvic cavity and courses over the superior aspect of the urinary bladder. |
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tunica albuginea |
a dense connective tissue capsule that covers each testes....litterally "white tunic." extensions of this sheath enter the testes and divide into a number of lobes |
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seminiferous tubules |
highly coiled, sperm-forming factories, found in the lobes formed by the tunica albuginea. each of these tubules empty into the rete testis |
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rete testes |
a set of tubules that the sperm enters after the seminiferous tubules. sperm then is carried to the epidiymis |
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interstitial cells |
cells that lie between the seminiferous tubules and softly padded with connective tissue, they produce testosterone, the hormonal product of the testis |
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stereocilia |
the pseudostratified columnar epithelial lining. these nonmotile microvilli absorb excess fluid and pass nutrients to the sperm in the lumen |
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spermatic cord |
a connective tissue sheath that encloses the ductus deferens along with blood vessels and nerves. it is easily palpable through the skin of the scrotum |
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ampulla |
the regions where the ductus deferens terminates and enlarges |
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ejaculatory duct |
the duct that the ductus deferens empties into. during ejaculation, sontraction of this propes the sperm through the prostate gland |
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prostatic urethra |
the duct that receives sperm in the prostate gland after they pass through the ductus deferens. sperm then travel to the membranous urethra. |
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membranous urethra |
passageway of the sperm after it passes through the prostatic urethra |
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spongy urethra |
the passageway of the sperm after the membranous urethra, it runs the length of the penis to the body exterior |
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accessory glands |
prostate gland, the paired seminal vesicles, and the bulbourethral glands |
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seminal fluid |
the product of the accessory glands which provides a liquid medium in which sperm leave the body |
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seminal vesicles |
produce about 60% of seminal fluid, these are located at the posterior wall of the urinary bladder close to the terminus of the ductus deferens. They produce a substance that nourishes the sperm passing through the tract or that promote the fertilizing capabiltiy of sperm in some way |
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prostate gland |
gland that circles the urethra, just inferior to the bladder. it secretes a milky fluid into the urethra which plays a role in activating the sperm |
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bulbourethral glands |
tiny, pea-shaped glands inferior to the prostate, they produce a thick clear alkanline mucus that drains into the membranous urethra. acts to wash residual urine out of the urine when ejaculation of semen occurs. |
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semen |
sperm plus the seminal fluid |
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penis |
external genitalia of the male along with the scrotal sac |
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glans penis |
the enlarged end of the shaft |
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prepuce |
aka foreskin, it is circular fold of skin around the proximal end of the glans, formed by the loose skin that covers the penis and reflects downward |
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corpora cavernosa |
paired dorsal cylinders of erectile tissue, which engorge with blood during sexual excitement so that it may serve as a penetrating device |
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corpus spongiosum |
a single ventral cylinder of erectile tissue which surrounds the penile urethra |
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ovaries |
the primary reproductive organs of the female. they produce both an exocrine product (eggs or ova) and endocrine products (estrogens and progesterone). The structure transports, houses, nurtures, or otherwise serve the needs of the reproductive cells and/or the developing fetus. |
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Three layers of the uterine wall |
endometrium...functional layer and the basal layer..., myometrium, and serosa |
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external genitalia |
aka vulva, consists of the mons pubis, the labia majora and minora, the clitoris, the urethral and vaginal orifices, the hymen, and the greater vestibular glands |
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mons pubis |
a rounded fatty eminence overlying the pubic symphysis. inferior and poserterior to this is the labia majora |
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labia majora |
inferior and posteriorly located to the mons pubis, two elongatd, pigmented, hair-covered skin folds. encloses the labia minora. |
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labia minora |
encolsed by the labia majora, which in turn encloses a region called the vestibule |
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vestibule |
a region which contains the clitoris, most anteriorly, followed by the urethral orifice and the vaginal orifice. |
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perineum |
the diamond-shaped region between the anterior end of the labial folds, the ischial tuberosities laterally, and the anus posterior |
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clitoris |
a small protruding structure. composed of sensitive, erectile tissue. it is hooded by the skin folds of the anterior labia minora |
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prepuce of the clitoris |
the skin folds of the anterior labia minora over the clitoris |
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hymen |
a partially closed thin fold of mucous membrane over the vaginal opening. flanked by the greater vestibular glands |
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greater vestibular glands |
pea-sized mucus-secreting glands that lubricate the end of the vagina during coitus |
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internal female organs |
vagina, uterus, uterine tubesm ovaries, and the ligaments and supporting structures that suspend these organs in the pelvic cavity |
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vagina |
approximately 10 cm, superior from the vestibule to the uterus. it serves as a copulatory organ, birth canal, and permits passage of the mestrual flow |
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uterus |
a muscular organ that is pear-shaped, located between the bladder and the rectum |
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cervix |
the narrow end of the uterus which is directed inferiorly |
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body |
the major portion of the uterus |
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fundus |
the superior rounded region above the entrance of the uterine tubes |
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functional layer |
aka the stratum functionalis, the thick mucosal lining of the endometrium of the uterus which cyclically sloughs off in responses to the cyclic changes in the levels of ovarian hormones in the woman's blood |
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basal layer |
aka stratum basalis, the deeped layer of the endometrium which forms a new functionalis after menstration ends |
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fallopian tubes |
aka uterine tubes, they enter the superolateral region of the uterus and extend laterally for about 10 cm toward the ovaries in the peritoneal cavity. the distal ends of the tubes have fimbriae |
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fimbriae |
the fingerlike projections on the distal end of the funnel shaped fallopian tubes |
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broad ligament |
the fold that encloses the uterine tubes and uterus and secures them to the lateral body walls |
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mesometrium |
the part of the broad ligament that specifically anchores the uterus |
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mesosalpinx |
the part of the broad ligament which specifically anchors the uterine tubes |
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round ligaments |
fibrous cords that run from the uterus to the labia majora |
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uterosacral ligaments |
the fibrous cords which course posteriorly to the sacrum and also help attach the uterus to the body wall |
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ovarian ligament |
the medial support of the ovaries, which extend from the uterus to the ovary |
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suspensory ligaments |
the later supports of the ovaries |
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mesovarium |
the posterior support of the ovaries. It is a fold of the broad ligament |
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follicles |
saclike structures within the ovaries which female gametes begin their development. they also produce estrogens |
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myometrium |
the smooth muscle layer of the uterine wall |
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mammary glands |
located within the breasts, their function is to produce milk to nourish the newborn infant. periodic stimulation by the female sex hormones (especially estrogen) increases the size of the female mammary glands at puberty. during this time the duct system becomes more elaborate and fat is deposited. |
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areola |
a pigmented area slightly below the center of each breast which surrounds the centrally protruding nipple |
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lobes |
15-20 of these are located in the mammary gland, radiate around the nipple, and are separated by fibrous connective tissue and adipose, or fatty, tissue |
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lobules |
located within the lobes of the mammary glands, these smaller chambers contain the glandular alveoli |
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alveoli |
located within the lobules and produce milk during lactation |
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lactiferous ducts |
the ducts that the alveoli of each lobule pass the milk through |
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lactiferous sinus |
the expanded storage area that the ducts with the milk produced by the alveoli converge into as they approach the nipple. these open to the outside of the nipple |
