Chapter 28: Reproductive System Flashcards
Cervical Dysplasia
Abnormal growth of epithelial cells in the uterine cervix; may progress to cancer.
Endometriosis
The growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus.
Genital Herpes
A sexually transmitted disease caused by a herpes virus and characterized by painful blisters in the genital area.
Gonorrhea
A sexually transmitted bacterial disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Commonly called “the clap.”
Gynecology
The branch of medicine that deals with the functions and diseases specific to women and girls affecting the reproductive system.
Hydrocele
The accumulation of serous fluid in any body sac, but especially in the tunica vaginalis of the testis or along the spermatic cord.
Hysterectomy
The surgical removal of the uterus.
Menorrhagia
The condition of experiencing extremely heavy bleeding at menstruation.
Oophoerectomy
The surgical removal of one or both ovaries.
Orchitis
Inflammatino of one or both testicles.
Ovarian Cyst
A condition (usually harmless) in which fluid-filled sacs develop in or on the ovary.
Polysystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
A condition in women that is characterized by irregular or no menstrual periods, acne, obesity, and excessive hair growth.
Premature Ejaculation
A common complaints of ejaculating semen sooner than the man desires while achieving orgasm during intercourse. An estimated 30% of men regularly experience the problem.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
A collection of physical and emotional symptoms that occurs 5 to 11 days before a woman’s period begins, and goes away once menstruation starts. Over 150 signs and symptoms have been associated with the condition.
Premenstrual Syndrome
A condition occurring in the last half of the menstrual cycle after ovulation that is a combination of physical and mood disturbances that normally end with the onset of the menstrual flow.
Salpingitis
Inflammation of a uterine tube.
Uterine Fibroids (Leiomyomas)
Benign tumors of the uterus composed of smooth muscle tissue that grows in the wall of the uterus of some women. Although not usually dangerous they can cause problems such as very heavy menstrual periods and pain.
Uterine Prolapse
Condition that occurs when a woman’s pelvic floor muscles and ligaments stretch and weaken and provide inadequate support for the uterus, which then descends into the vaginal canal.
Vasectomy
The surgical removal of a segment of each ductus (vas) deferens, making it impossible for sperm to reach the distal portions of the male reproductive tract.
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
A common female vaginal infection caused by the yeast Candida, usually Candida albicans.
Acrosomes
A membranous sac at the tip of a sperm that contains hyaluronidase; also called acrosomal cap.
Adipose Tissue
Loose connective tissue dominated by adipocytes.
Ampulla
A localized dilation in the lumen of a canal or passageway.
Blood Testis Barrier
The isolation of the interior of the seminiferous tubules from the general circulation, due to the activities of the nurse (sustentacular) cells.
Bulbo-Urethral Glands
Mucous glands at the base of the penis that secrete into the penile urethra; the equivalent of the greater vestibular glands of females; also called Cowper’s glands.
Capacitation
The activation process that must occur before a sperm can successfully fertilize an oocyte.
Cervix
The inferior portion of the uterus.
Corpus Luteum
The progesterone-secreting mass of follicle cells that develops in the ovary after ovulation.
Detumescence
The loss of a penile erection.
Ejaculation
The ejection of semen from the penis as the result of mascular contractions of the bulbospongiosus and ischiocavernosus
Ejaculatory Duct
Short ducts that pass within the walls of the prostate gland and connect the ductus deferens with the prostatic urethra.
Epididymis
A coiled duct that connects the rete testis to the ductus deferens; site of functional maturation of sperm.
Erection
The stiffening of the penis due to the erectile tissues of the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum filling with blood.
Estrogens
A class of steroid sex hormones that includes estradiol.
Fimbriae
Fringes; the fingerlike processes that surround the entrance to the uterine tube
Fundus
The base of an organ such as the stomach, uterus, or gallbladder.
Gametes
Reproductive cells (sperm and oocytes) that contain half the normal chromosome complement.
Gonads
Reproductive organs that produce gametes and sex hormones.
Haploid
Possessing half the normal number of chromosomes; a characteristic of gametes.
Infertility
The inability to conceive; also called sterility.
Infundibulum
A tapering, funnel-shaped structure; in the brain, the connection between the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus; in the uterine tube, the entrance bounded by fimbriae that receives the oocyte at ovulation.
Isthmus
A narrow band of tissues connecting two larger masses.
Lactation
The production of milk by the mammary glands.
Lobules
Histologically, the basic organizational unit of the liver.
Mammary Gland
Milk-producing glands of the female breasts.
Meiosis
Cell division that produces gametes with half the normal somatic chromosome complement.
Menstruation
The phase of the uterine cycle in which the endometrial functional layer is shed; also called menses.
Mitosis
The division of a single cell nucleus that produces two identical daughter cell nuclei; an essential step in cell division.
Myometrium
The thick layer of smooth muscle in the wall of the uterus.
Nipple
An elevated epithelial projection on the surface of the breast; contains the openings of the lactiferous sinuses.
Nurse Cell
Supporting cells of the seminiferous tubules of the testis; responsible for the differentiation of spermatids, the maintenance of the blood testis barrier, and the secretion of inhibin, androgen-binding protein, and Mullerian-inhibiting factor; also called Sertoli cells.
Oocyte
A cell whose meiotic divisions will produce a single ovum and three polar bodies.
Oogeneis
Formation and development of an oocyte.
Ovarian Cycle
The monthly process of the maturation, ovulation, and degeneration of a tertiary ovarian follicle.
Ovulation
The release of a secondary oocyte, surrounded by cells of the corona radiata, after the rupture of the wall of a tertiary ovarian follicle.
Ovum
The functional product of meiosis II, produced after the fertilization of a secondary oocyte.
Penis
A component of the male external genitalia; a copulatory organ that surrounds the urethra and introduces semen into the female vagina; the development equivalent of the female clitoris.
Perimetrium
The incomplete serosa of the uterus.
Polar Bodies
A nonfunctional packet of cytoplasm that contains chromosomes eliminated from an oocyte during meiosis.
Progesterone
The most important hormone secreted by the corpus luteum after ovulation.
Reductional Division
The first meiotic division which reduces the chromosome number from 46 to 23.
Scrotum
The loose-fitting, fleshy pouch that encloses the testes of the male.
Semen
The fluid ejaculate that contains sperm and the secretions of accessory glands o the male reproductive tract.
Seminal Glands
Glands of the male reproductive tract that produce roughly 60% of the volume of semen; also called seminal vesicles.
Seminiferous Tubules
Coiled tubules where sperm production occurs in the testes.
Sperm
Male gamete(s).
Spermatic Cords
Collectively, the spermatic vessels, nerves, lymphatic vessels, and the ductus deferens, extending between the testes and the proximal end of the inguinal canal.
Spermatogensis
Sperm production.
Stroma
The connective tissue framework of an organ; distinguished from the functional cells (parenchyma) of that organ.
Testes
The male gonads, sites of gamete production and hormone secretion; also called testicles.
Testosterone
The main androgen produced by the interstitial endocrine cells of the testes.
Urethra
A muscular tube that carries urine form the urinary bladder to the exterior.
Vagina
A muscular tube extending between the uterus and the vestibule.
Zygote
The fertilized ovum, prior to the start of cleavage.
