90 Glossary: The Reproductive System

bulbourethral glands (also, Cowper’s glands) glands that secrete a lubricating mucus that cleans and lubricates the urethra prior to and during ejaculation

cervix elongate inferior end of the uterus where it connects to the vagina

clitoris (also, glans clitoris) nerve-rich area of the vulva that contributes to sexual sensation during intercourse

corpus albicans nonfunctional structure remaining in the ovarian stroma following structural and functional regression of the corpus luteum

corpus cavernosum either of two columns of erectile tissue in the penis that fill with blood during an erection

corpus luteum transformed follicle after ovulation that secretes progesterone

corpus spongiosum (plural = corpora cavernosa) column of erectile tissue in the penis that fills with blood during an erection and surrounds the penile urethra on the ventral portion of the penis

ductus deferens (also, vas deferens) duct that transports sperm from the epididymis through the spermatic cord and into the ejaculatory duct; also referred as the vas deferens

ejaculatory duct duct that connects the ampulla of the ductus deferens with the duct of the seminal vesicle at the prostatic urethra

endometrium inner lining of the uterus, part of which builds up during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle and then sheds with menses

epididymis (plural = epididymides) coiled tubular structure in which sperm start to mature and are stored until ejaculation

fimbriae fingerlike projections on the distal uterine tubes

follicle ovarian structure of one oocyte and surrounding granulosa (and later theca) cells

folliculogenesis development of ovarian follicles from primordial to tertiary under the stimulation of gonadotropins

fundus (of the uterus) domed portion of the uterus that is superior to the uterine tubes

gamete haploid reproductive cell that contributes genetic material to form an offspring

glans penis bulbous end of the penis that contains a large number of nerve endings

gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) hormone released by the hypothalamus that regulates the production of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland

gonads reproductive organs (testes in men and ovaries in women) that produce gametes and reproductive hormones

granulosa cells supportive cells in the ovarian follicle that produce estrogen

hymen membrane that covers part of the opening of the vagina

infundibulum (of the uterine tube) wide, distal portion of the uterine tube terminating in fimbriae

inguinal canal opening in abdominal wall that connects the testes to the abdominal cavity

isthmus narrow, medial portion of the uterine tube that joins the uterus

labia majora hair-covered folds of skin located behind the mons pubis

labia minora thin, pigmented, hairless flaps of skin located medial and deep to the labia majora

lactiferous ducts ducts that connect the mammary glands to the nipple and allow for the transport of milk

lactiferous sinus area of milk collection between alveoli and lactiferous duct

Leydig cells cells between the seminiferous tubules of the testes that produce testosterone; a type of interstitial cell

mammary glands glands inside the breast that secrete milk

menarche first menstruation in a pubertal female

menses shedding of the inner portion of the endometrium out though the vagina; also referred to as menstruation

menses phase phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrial lining is shed

menstrual cycle approximately 28-day cycle of changes in the uterus consisting of a menses phase, a proliferative phase, and a secretory phase

mons pubis mound of fatty tissue located at the front of the vulva

Müllerian duct duct system present in the embryo that will eventually form the internal female reproductive structures

myometrium smooth muscle layer of uterus that allows for uterine contractions during labor and expulsion of menstrual blood

oocyte cell that results from the division of the oogonium and undergoes meiosis I at the LH surge and meiosis II at fertilization to become a haploid ovum

oogenesis process by which oogonia divide by mitosis to primary oocytes, which undergo meiosis to produce the secondary oocyte and, upon fertilization, the ovum

oogonia ovarian stem cells that undergo mitosis during female fetal development to form primary oocytes

ovarian cycle approximately 28-day cycle of changes in the ovary consisting of a follicular phase and a luteal phase

ovaries female gonads that produce oocytes and sex steroid hormones (notably estrogen and progesterone)

ovulation release of a secondary oocyte and associated granulosa cells from an ovary

ovum haploid female gamete resulting from completion of meiosis II at fertilization

penis male organ of copulation

perimetrium outer epithelial layer of uterine wall

polar body smaller cell produced during the process of meiosis in oogenesis

prepuce (also, foreskin) flap of skin that forms a collar around, and thus protects and lubricates, the glans penis; also referred as the foreskin

primary follicles ovarian follicles with a primary oocyte and one layer of cuboidal granulosa cells

primordial follicles least developed ovarian follicles that consist of a single oocyte and a single layer of flat (squamous) granulosa cells

proliferative phase phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrium proliferates

prostate gland doughnut-shaped gland at the base of the bladder surrounding the urethra and contributing fluid to semen during ejaculation

puberty life stage during which a male or female adolescent becomes anatomically and physiologically capable of reproduction

rugae (of the vagina) folds of skin in the vagina that allow it to stretch during intercourse and childbirth

scrotum external pouch of skin and muscle that houses the testes

secondary follicles ovarian follicles with a primary oocyte and multiple layers of granulosa cells

secondary sex characteristics physical characteristics that are influenced by sex steroid hormones and have supporting roles in reproductive function

secretory phase phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrium secretes a nutrient-rich fluid in preparation for implantation of an embryo

semen ejaculatory fluid composed of sperm and secretions from the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands

seminal vesicle gland that produces seminal fluid, which contributes to semen

seminiferous tubules tube structures within the testes where spermatogenesis occurs

Sertoli cells cells that support germ cells through the process of spermatogenesis; a type of sustentacular cell

sperm (also, spermatozoon) male gamete

spermatic cord bundle of nerves and blood vessels that supplies the testes; contains ductus deferens

spermatid immature sperm cells produced by meiosis II of secondary spermatocytes

spermatocyte cell that results from the division of spermatogonium and undergoes meiosis I and meiosis II to form spermatids

spermatogenesis formation of new sperm, occurs in the seminiferous tubules of the testes

spermatogonia (singular = spermatogonium) diploid precursor cells that become sperm

spermiogenesis transformation of spermatids to spermatozoa during spermatogenesis

suspensory ligaments bands of connective tissue that suspend the breast onto the chest wall by attachment to the overlying dermis

tertiary follicles (also, antral follicles) ovarian follicles with a primary or secondary oocyte, multiple layers of granulosa cells, and a fully formed antrum

testes (singular = testis) male gonads

theca cells estrogen-producing cells in a maturing ovarian follicle

uterine tubes (also, fallopian tubes or oviducts) ducts that facilitate transport of an ovulated oocyte to the uterus

uterus muscular hollow organ in which a fertilized egg develops into a fetus

vagina tunnel-like organ that provides access to the uterus for the insertion of semen and from the uterus for the birth of a baby

vulva external female genitalia

Wolffian duct duct system present in the embryo that will eventually form the internal male reproductive structures