Human Reproductive System Basics

Male Reproductive System

• The male germ cells, or spermatozoa, are produced in the paired testes, suspended outside the body in the scrotum.
• The reproductive tract develops in close association with the urinary tract.
• In females, the two systems are separate, but in males, the reproductive and urinary tracts share a common passage, the urethra.
• The two systems are referred to together as the genitourinary (GU) or urogenital (UG) tract.
• Urologists treat disorders of both the male reproductive and the urinary system.
• The main male sex hormone is testosterone.
• The gland below the bladder in males is the prostate.

Female Reproductive System

• The female gamete is cyclic, with an egg released midway in the menstrual cycle.
• Each month, the uterus is prepared to receive a fertilized egg.
• If fertilization occurs, the developing offspring is nourished and protected by the placenta and surrounding fluids until birth.
• If the released egg is not fertilized, the lining of the uterus is sloughed off in menstruation.
• The female reproductive system's structures include the ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina.

Terminology

• Androgen: A hormone producing male characteristics.

• Circumcision: Surgical removal of the end of the prepuce (foreskin).

• Ductus deferens: A duct that carries spermatozoa from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct. Also called vas deferens.

• Ejaculation: Ejection of semen from the male urethra.

• Erection: The stiffening or hardening of the penis.

• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): A hormone that acts on the gonads. In males, it promotes sperm cell development; in females, it stimulates the ripening of ova.

• Gamete: A mature reproductive cell (spermatozoon in males, ovum in females).

• Gonad: A sex gland (testis or ovary).

• Luteinizing hormone (LH): A hormone that acts on the gonads. In males, it stimulates the interstitial cells to produce testosterone; in females, it stimulates ovulation and corpus luteum formation.

• Meiosis: The type of cell division that forms the gametes, producing cells with 23 chromosomes, half the number found in other body cells.

• Penis: The male organ of copulation and urination.

• Pituitary gland: An endocrine gland at the base of the brain.

• Prostate gland: A gland surrounding the urethra below the bladder in males that contributes secretions to the semen.

• Puberty: The period during which the ability for sexual reproduction is attained, and secondary sex characteristics begin to develop.

• Scrotum: A double pouch that contains the testes.

• Semen: The thick secretion that transports spermatozoa.

• Seminal vesicle: Sac-like gland behind the bladder that contributes secretions to the semen.

• Testis: The male reproductive gland.

• Testosterone: The main male sex hormone.

• Urethra: The duct that carries urine out of the body and also transports semen.

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): Nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate.

• Erectile dysfunction (ED): Inability of the male to perform intercourse because of failure to initiate or maintain an erection.

• Infertility: Decreased capacity to produce offspring.

• Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate gland.

• Cervix: Neck of the uterus.

• Contraception: The prevention of pregnancy.

• Corpus luteum: Small yellow structure that develops from the ovarian follicle after ovulation.

• Endometrium: Inner lining of the uterus.

• Estrogen: A group of hormones that produce female characteristics and prepare the uterus for the fertilized egg.

• Labia majora: Two large folds of skin that form the sides of the vulva.

• Labia minora: Two small folds of skin within the labia majora.

• Uterus: Organ that receives the fertilized egg and maintains the developing offspring during pregnancy.

• Vagina: Muscular tube between the cervix and the vulva.

• Vulva: The external female genitalia.

• Mammary gland: Specialized gland capable of secreting milk in the female.

• Menopause: Cessation of menstrual cycles in the female.

• Menopause: Cessation of menstrual cycles in the female.

• Menstruation: Cyclic discharge of blood and mucosal tissues from the lining of the nonpregnant uterus.

• Ovary: Female gonad.

• Ovulation: Release of a mature ovum from the ovary.

• Progesterone: A hormone produced by the corpus luteum and the placenta that maintains the endometrium for pregnancy.

• Uterine tube (Fallopian tube): Tube extending from the upper lateral portion of the uterus that carries the ovum to the uterus.

• Candidiasis: Infection with the fungus Candida, a common cause of vaginitis

• Vaginitis: Inflammation of the vagina

• Endometriosis: Growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus.

• Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus.

• Mammography: Radiographic study of the breast.

• Mastectomy: Excision of breast tissue.