Reproductive System - Key Concepts

Reproductive System - Key Concepts

• Interstitial (Leydig) Cells: Located between seminiferous tubules; produce testosterone.
• Sustentacular (Sertoli) Cells: Found inside seminiferous tubules; protect and nurture sperm development. Provide nutrients, waste removal, growth factors, etc.
• Female Internal Genitalia: Ovaries, uterine tubes (fallopian tubes), uterus, vagina.
• Female External Genitalia: Clitoris, labia minora, labia majora.
• Ciliated Cells (Female Reproductive System): Located in uterine tubes; move the egg.
• Ovaries: Produce egg cells (ova) and sex hormones (simple cuboidal epithelium).
• Ovulation: Release of an egg from a ruptured follicle.
• Ovarian Cycle: Development of follicle (FSH-dependent); egg release.
• Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes: Site of fertilization; mucosa with simple columnar epithelium, cilia, and goblet cells.
• Egg Pathway: Ovary → fimbriae → infundibulum → ampulla → isthmus.
• Uterus: Thick, muscular chamber; tilts forward over bladder; harbors fetus, provides nutrition, expels fetus.
• Uterine Ligaments: Round (to ventral wall), uterosacral (to sacrum), broad (holds uterus, tubes, ovary).
• Uterine Tissue Layers: Perimetrium (external serosa), myometrium (middle, muscular), endometrium (lining, sloughs off during menstruation).
• Vagina: Receives penis and semen; birth canal; acidic pH. Stratified squamous epithelium.
• Vulva: Collective term for external female genitalia.
• Mons Pubis: Mound of fat over pubic symphysis, pubic hair.
• Labia Majora: Thick folds of skin and adipose tissue.
• Labia Minora: Thin, hairless folds; vestibule between them.
• Clitoris: Erectile, sensory organ; primary center for erotic stimulation.
• Vestibular Bulbs: Erectile tissue beneath labia majora; tighten vagina during stimulation.
• Paraurethral Glands: Homologous to prostate; prevent UTIs; fluid high in zinc.
• Bartholin Glands: Homologous to Cowper's gland; secrete mucus for lubrication.
• Breasts: Mound of tissue over pectoralis major; ducts converge on nipple.
• Prolactin: Stimulates mammary gland growth and milk production.
• Oxytocin: Stimulates milk ejection.
• Oogenesis: Egg production; produces haploid gametes via meiosis. Distinctly cyclic, releases one egg/month.
• Egg/Ovum: Any stage of primary oocyte to fertilization.
• FSH: Stimulates oocyte (meiosis I) completion.
• Secondary Oocyte: Large daughter cell of meiosis I.
• Follicular Phase (Ovarian Cycle): Days 1-14; follicle development, estrogen, low progesterone.
• Ovulation (Ovarian Cycle): Day 14; follicle bursts, egg released, LH and FSH peak.
• Luteal Phase (Ovarian Cycle): Days 15-28; corpus luteum forms, high progesterone & estrogen at start, decrease near menstruation.
• Estrogen: Secondary sex characteristics; reproductive organ maintenance; menstrual cycle affects endometrium.
• Progesterone: Works with estrogen to promote menstrual cycle and endometrial changes.
• Corpus Luteum: Temporary endocrine structure; high progesterone, moderate estrogen; crucial in early pregnancy (inhibits FSH & LH).
• Menstrual Cycle Stages: Proliferative, secretory, premenstrual, menstrual.
• Proliferative Phase: Endometrial tissue regeneration (Days 1-14).
• Secretory Phase: Endometrium thickens further due to progesterone (Days 15-26).
• Premenstrual Phase: Degeneration of endometrial tissue; ischemia and necrosis, causes cramps (Days 27-28).
• Menstrual Phase: Discharge of blood and tissue; Days 1-5 of a new cycle.; start of bleeding means a new cycle begins.
• Fertilization Site: Ampulla of fallopian tube.
• Pregnancy Hormones: High estrogen, progesterone (inhibits further follicular development), hCG, hCS.
• Pregnancy Adjustments: Digestive (morning sickness, constipation), urinary (increased filtration, output), integumentary (stretch marks, darkening).
• Stages of Labor: Dilation (8-24 hours), expulsion (baby expelled), placental (placenta separation).
• Behavioral Contraceptives: Abstinence, rhythm method (periodic abstinence), withdrawal.
• Barrier/Spermicidal Contraceptives: Condoms, diaphragm, sponge.
• Hormonal Contraceptives: Pill, patch, injection, ring; inhibit follicle maturation.
• Morning-After Pill: Induces menstruation if no implantation.
• RU-486: Induces abortion up to 2 months.
• Birth Control Pill Mechanisms: estrogen/progesterone pills inhibit hypothalamus and pituitary; progesterone-only pills inhibit ovulation alone.
• Male Reproductive Anatomy: Scrotum, testes, spermatic cord, temperature regulation (cremaster, dartos, pampiniform plexus).
• Testis Temperature Regulation: Cremaster muscle (contractions), dartos muscle (wrinkling scrotum), pampiniform plexus (heat exchange).
• Spermatogenesis: Sperm production in seminiferous tubules; remodeling, chromosome reduction, genetic variation (4 possible sperm from 1 germ cell)
• Spermatogonium Types: Type A (stem cell); Type B (migrated to create sperm)
• Sperm Maturation: Epididymis.
• Seminal Vesicles: Secretion forming 60% of semen.
• Prostate Gland: Surrounds urethra and ejaculatory ducts; makes thin, milky part of semen (30%).
• Bulbourethral Glands (Cowper's Glands): Lubricates urethra before ejaculation and protects sperm.
• Corpus Spongiosum & Corpus Cavernosum: Erectile tissues of penis.
• Semen Characteristics: Normal sperm count (50-120 million/mL). Below 20-25 million/mL is infertile
• Sperm Motility: Elevated pH from prostatic fluid (3.5-7.5) and energy source (fructose from seminal vesicles).
• Bacterial STDs: Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis.
• Viral STDs: Genital herpes, genital warts, hepatitis B & C.

This quiz covers essential concepts of the reproductive system, including the roles of various cells like Leydig and Sertoli cells, the anatomy of female internal and external genitalia, and the processes of ovulation and the ovarian cycle. Test your understanding of the female reproductive system and its functions.