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Alveoli:
(of the breast) milk-secreting cells in the mammary gland
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Ampulla
(of the uterine tube) middle portion of the uterine tube in which fertilization often occurs
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Antrum
fluid-filled chamber that characterizes a mature tertiary (antral) follicle
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Areola
highly pigmented, circular area surrounding the raised nipple and containing areolar glands that secrete fluid important for lubrication during suckling
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Bartholin’s glands
(also, greater vestibular glands) glands that produce a thick mucus that maintains moisture in the vulva area; also referred to as the greater vestibular glands
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Blood–testis barrier
tight junctions between Sertoli cells that prevent bloodborne pathogens from gaining access to later stages of spermatogenesis and prevent the potential for an autoimmune reaction to haploid sperm
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Body of uterus
middle section of the uterus
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Broad ligament
wide ligament that supports the uterus by attaching laterally to both sides of the uterus and pelvic wall
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Bulbourethral glands
(also, Cowper’s glands) glands that secrete a lubricating mucus that cleans and lubricates the urethra prior to and during ejaculation
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Cervix
elongate inferior end of the uterus where it connects to the vagina
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Clitoris
(also, glans clitoris) nerve-rich area of the vulva that contributes to sexual sensation during intercourse
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Corpus albicans
nonfunctional structure remaining in the ovarian stroma following structural and functional regression of the corpus luteum
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Corpus cavernosum
either of two columns of erectile tissue in the penis that fill with blood during an erection
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Corpus luteum
transformed follicle after ovulation that secretes progesterone
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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
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Differentiated Sex Development
a range of variations that can occur when a person does not have the specific anatomy or chromosomal markers that would typically assign them either male or female
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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
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Ejaculatory duct
duct that connects the ampulla of the ductus deferens with the duct of the seminal vesicle at the prostatic urethra
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Endometrium
inner lining of the uterus, part of which builds up during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle and then sheds with menses
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Epididymis
(plural = epididymides) coiled tubular structure in which sperm start to mature and are stored until ejaculation
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Fallopian tubes
(also, uterine tubes or oviducts) ducts that facilitate transport of an ovulated oocyte to the uterus
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Fimbriae
fingerlike projections on the distal uterine tubes
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Follicle
ovarian structure of one oocyte and surrounding granulosa (and later theca) cells
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Folliculogenesis
development of ovarian follicles from primordial to tertiary under the stimulation of gonadotropins
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Fundus
(of the uterus) domed portion of the uterus that is superior to the uterine tubes
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Gamete
haploid reproductive cell that contributes genetic material to form an offspring
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Glans penis
bulbous end of the penis that contains a large number of nerve endings
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Gonads
reproductive organs (testes in men and ovaries in women) that produce gametes and reproductive hormones
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Granulosa cells
supportive cells in the ovarian follicle that produce estrogen
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Hymen
membrane that covers part of the opening of the vagina
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Infundibulum
(of the uterine tube) wide, distal portion of the uterine tube terminating in fimbriae
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Inguinal canal
opening in abdominal wall that connects the testes to the abdominal cavity
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Intersex
an umbrella term that describes bodies that fall outside the strict male/female binary
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Isthmus
narrow, medial portion of the uterine tube that joins the uterus
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Labia majora
hair-covered folds of skin located behind the mons pubis
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Labia minora
thin, pigmented, hairless flaps of skin located medial and deep to the labia majora
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Lactiferous ducts
ducts that connect the mammary glands to the nipple and allow for the transport of milk
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Lactiferous sinus
area of milk collection between alveoli and lactiferous duct
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Leydig cells
cells between the seminiferous tubules of the testes that produce testosterone; a type of interstitial cell
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mammary glands
glands inside the breast that secrete milk
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Menarche
first menstruation in a pubertal female
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Menses
shedding of the inner portion of the endometrium out though the vagina; also referred to as menstruation
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Menses phase
phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrial lining is shed
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Menstrual cycle
approximately 28-day cycle of changes in the uterus consisting of a menses phase, a proliferative phase, and a secretory phase
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Mons pubis
mound of fatty tissue located at the front of the vulva
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Myometrium
smooth muscle layer of uterus that allows for uterine contractions during labor and expulsion of menstrual blood
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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
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Oogenesis
process by which oogonia divide by mitosis to primary oocytes, which undergo meiosis to produce the secondary oocyte and, upon fertilization, the ovum
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Oogonia
ovarian stem cells that undergo mitosis during female fetal development to form primary oocytes
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Ovarian cycle
approximately 28-day cycle of changes in the ovary consisting of a follicular phase and a luteal phase
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Ovaries
female gonads that produce oocytes and sex steroid hormones (notably estrogen and progesterone)
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Ovulation
release of a secondary oocyte and associated granulosa cells from an ovary
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Ovum
haploid female gamete resulting from completion of meiosis II at fertilization
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Penis
male organ of copulation
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Perimetrium
outer epithelial layer of uterine wall
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Polar body
smaller cell produced during the process of meiosis in oogenesis
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Prepuce
(also, foreskin) flap of skin that forms a collar around, and thus protects and lubricates, the glans penis; also referred as the foreskin
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Primary follicles
ovarian follicles with a primary oocyte and one layer of cuboidal granulosa cells
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Primordial follicles
least developed ovarian follicles that consist of a single oocyte and a single layer of flat (squamous) granulosa cells
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Proliferative phase
phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrium proliferates
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Prostate gland
doughnut-shaped gland at the base of the bladder surrounding the urethra and contributing fluid to semen during ejaculation
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Puberty
life stage during which a male or female adolescent becomes anatomically and physiologically capable of reproduction
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Rugae
(of the vagina) folds of skin in the vagina that allow it to stretch during intercourse and childbirth
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Scrotum
external pouch of skin and muscle that houses the testes
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Secondary follicles
ovarian follicles with a primary oocyte and multiple layers of granulosa cells
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Secondary sex characteristics
physical characteristics that are influenced by sex steroid hormones and have supporting roles in reproductive function
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Secretory phase
phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrium secretes a nutrient-rich fluid in preparation for implantation of an embryo
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Semen
ejaculatory fluid composed of sperm and secretions from the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands
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Seminal vesicle
gland that produces seminal fluid, which contributes to semen
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Seminiferous tubules
tube structures within the testes where spermatogenesis occurs
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Sertoli cells
cells that support germ cells through the process of spermatogenesis; a type of sustentacular cell
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Sperm
(also, spermatozoon) male gamete
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spermatic cord
bundle of nerves and blood vessels that supplies the testes; contains ductus deferens
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Spermatid
immature sperm cells produced by meiosis II of secondary spermatocytes
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Spermatocyte
cell that results from the division of spermatogonium and undergoes meiosis I and meiosis II to form spermatids
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Spermatogenesis
formation of new sperm, occurs in the seminiferous tubules of the testes
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Spermatogonia
(singular = spermatogonium) diploid precursor cells that become sperm
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Spermiogenesis
transformation of spermatids to spermatozoa during spermatogenesis
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Suspensory ligaments
bands of connective tissue that suspend the breast onto the chest wall by attachment to the overlying dermis
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Testes
(singular = testis) male gonads
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Tertiary follicles
(also, antral follicles) ovarian follicles with a primary or secondary oocyte, multiple layers of granulosa cells, and a fully formed antrum
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Theca cells
estrogen-producing cells in a maturing ovarian follicle
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Uterus
muscular hollow organ in which a fertilized egg develops into a fetus
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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
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Vulva
external female genitalia
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Wolffian duct
duct system present in the embryo that will eventually form the internal male reproductive structures