BIO102 Unit 10
Reproductive System
Glossary
AIDS
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is caused by a group of related retroviruses known as
HIV (human immunodeficiency viruses); a disease which effects the immune system by
effecting the normal development of T lymphocytes; usually spread by sexual contact or sharing
of intravenous needles.
bulbourethral gland
Either of two small structures located below the prostate gland in males sometimes called the
cowper’s gland that adds secretions to semen.
cervix
the narrow end of the uterus which leads into the vagina; the portion of the uterus which dilates
during childbirth.
chlamydia
a bacterial STD that is one of the most common usually asymptomatic; men experience a mild
burning sensation and females experience a vaginal discharge.
circumcision
the surgical removal of the prepuce or foreskin of the penis usually on a newborn male baby.
clitoris
a small mass of erectile tissue that lies anterior to the urethral opening in the vulva of a female;
can respond to sexual stimulation.
coitus interruptus
a usually unsuccessful method of birth control that requires the male to withdraw his penis from
the woman’s vagina prior to ejaculation.
condom (vaginal pouch)
a rubber sheath that either covers the penis or lines the vagina; prevents sperm from entering the
uterus; can offer some protection from sexually transmitted diseases.
corpus luteum
A yellow body that forms in the ovary from a follicle that has discharged its egg; it is the
structure that secretes progesterone.
diaphragm
or cervical cap which is placed over the entrance to the cervix before intercourse which prevents
the sperm from entering the uterus; does not offer protection against sexually transmitted
diseases.
diploid
a term applied to a cell which has the normal chromosome number of a species such as 46
chromosomes in human body cells.
ejaculatory ducts
these ducts receive sperm from the vas deferens and secretions from the seminal vesicles and
empty into the urethra.
endometrium
coiled tubule near the testes where sperm mature and may be stored until ejaculation.
erection
the result of the filling of the spongy, erectile tissue of the penis with blood during sexual
arousal.
estrogen
a hormone secreted by the ovaries that promotes the maturation of an ovarian follicle, thickening
of the endometrium during the menstrual cycle and female secondary sexual characteristics.
fallopian tube
the two tubes that transport the eggs towards the uterus; also called uterine tubes and oviducts.
fimbriae
fingerlike extensions from the fallopian tube near the ovaries that aid the eggs movement into the
tubes.
follicle
several hundred thousand structures in the females ovaries that contain potential mature ova
(eggs)
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the development of an ovarian
follicle in a female or the production of sperm in a male..
genital herpes
caused by herpes simplex virus of two types; type 1 causes cold sores and fever blisters and type
2 causes genital sores.
gonnorrhea
a bacterial STD that is usually characterized by a unpleasant discharge during its early stages;
treatable with antibiotics.
haploid
a term applied to a cell which has one half the normal chromosome number of a species such as
sperm or eggs.
hepatitis B
usually spread by sexual contact, but like HIV can be contracted through blood transfusions and
contaminated needles; the disease is preventable with a new HBV vaccine.
labia majors & labia minors
two pairs of skin folds that form a covering for the vaginal and the urethral openings and also
hoods the clitoris.
luteinizing hormone (LH)
a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that causes ovulation and converts the
ruptured follicle to form the corpus luteum in the female and stimulates the testes to produce
testosterone in males; called ICSH (interstitial cell stimulating hormone) in males.
meiosis
the cell division process which occurs to cells in the testes or ovaries resulting in the production
of sperm or eggs
menstruation
loss of blood and tissue from the uterus at the end of the menstrual cycle; sometime referred to as
the females period.
menstrual cycle
the monthly changes that occur to the ovary and uterus in a female that are determined by the
levels of several sex hormones in the body; sometimes referred to as the ovarian cycle.
mons pubis
a pad of fatty tissue over the pubic symphysis that is covered with skin and pubic hair;
considered part of the females external genitals.
ovary
female gonad; the organ that produces ova (eggs), and the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
ovulation
release of a mature ovum (egg) from ovarian follicle.
oxytocin
a hormone released by the posterior pituitary that promotes the release of milk by the mammary
glands.
penis
external organ in males through which the urethra passes that serves as the organ of sexual
intercourse.
progesterone
a female hormone secreted by the corpus luteum that promotes the thickening of the
endometrium and helps maintain pregnancy.
prolactin
a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary that promotes production of milk after child birth.
prostate gland
a gland located around the male urethra below the urinary bladder that adds secretions to semen.
scrotum
the saclike structure that house the two testes in males which along with the penis compose the
male external genitals.
semen
a thick, whitish fluid consisting of sperm and secretions from the seminal vesicles, the prostate
gland and the bulbourethral glands that makes up the male ejaculate.
seminal vesicle
a pair of glands whose secretions contribute to semen; these glands join with the vas deferens to
form the ejaculatory ducts.
seminiferous tubules
the tubular structures in the testes that contain the cells which will develop into sperm.
spermatogenesis
the process of meiosis that occurs in the testes in males which results in the production of sperm.
syphilis
a STD caused by a bacteria which during its early stages forms open sores called chancres; can
be treated with penicillin; if this condition is left untreated it can lead to death.
testes
the male gonads; the organ that produces sperm and the male hormone testosterone.
testosterone
the hormone produced by the interstitial cells in the testes that promotes the maturation of sperm
and promotes male secondary sexual characteristics such as body shape and facial hair.
tubal ligation
a surgical sterilization procedure performed on females where the fallopian tubes are tied closed
or cut; prevents the sperm from reaching the ovum.
uterus
the womb or organ that lies between the fallopian tubes and the vagina which houses the
developing fetus.
vagina
a muscular tube that serves as the birth canal and the organ of sexual intercourse in females.
vas deferens
the sperm ducts that lead from the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts in males.
vasectomy
a surgical sterilization procedure performed on a male where a portion of the vas deferens is
removed; prevents sperm from becoming part of semen.
vulva
the female external genitals which includes the mons pubis, clitoris, labia major and labia minor
that forms a covering for the vaginal and urethral openings.