Unit 13 - Reproductive System Key Terms

Question 1

prostate gland

Answer 1

produces fluid called semen that provide sperm cells with nutrients

Question 2

sperm duct

Answer 2

sperm passes through the sperm duct to be mixed with fluids produced by the glands before being passed into the urethra for ejaculation

Question 3

urethra

Answer 3

tube running down the center of the penis that can carry out urine or semen. A ring of muscle in the urethra prevents the urine and semen from mixing

Question 4

testis

Answer 4

contained in a bag of skin (scrotum) and produces sperm (male gamete)

Question 5

scrotum

Answer 5

sac supporting the testes outside the body to ensure sperm are kept at temperature slightly lower than body temperature

Question 6

penis

Answer 6

passes urine out of the body from the bladder and allows semen to pass into the vagina of a woman during sexual intercourse

Question 7

oviduct

Answer 7

connects the ovary to the uterus and is lined with ciliated cells to push the released ovum down it. Fertilization occurs here

Question 8

ovary

Answer 8

contains ova (female gamete) which will mature and develop when hormones are released

Question 9

uterus

Answer 9

muscular bag with a soft lining where the fertilized egg (zygote) will be implanted to develop into a fetus

Question 10

cervix

Answer 10

ring of muscle at the lower end of the uterus to keep the developing fetus in place during pregnancy

Question 11

vagina

Answer 11

muscular tube that leads to the inside of the woman’s body. Where the male penis will enter during sexual intercourse

Question 12

sperm

Answer 12

has flagellum (tail) so it can swim to the egg, contains enzymes to digest through the membrane of the egg, and contains mitochondria to provide energy

Question 13

egg

Answer 13

cytoplasm contains a storage of energy for dividing the zygote after fertilization, jelly like coating become impenetrable after fertilization to prevent other sperm from entering the cell

Question 14

atresia

Answer 14

congenital absence or closure of a normal body opening, such as the vagina

Question 15

retroversion

Answer 15

turning or the state of being turned back, especially an entire organ, such as the uterus

Question 16

intrauterine device (IUD)

Answer 16

small, T-shaped device inserted by a physician inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy

Question 17

testicular torsion

Answer 17

spontaneous twisting of a testicle within the scrotum, leading to a decrease in blood flow to the affected testicle

Question 18

hypogonadism

Answer 18

decrease or lack of hormones normally produced by the gonads

Question 19

vasectomy

Answer 19

removal of all or a segment of the vas deferens for male sterilization

Question 20

ultrasonography

Answer 20

high frequesncy sound waves directed at soft tissue and reflected as “echos” to produce an image on a monitor of an internal body structure