Medical Terminologies (Male and Female Reproductive system)

Castration (kas-TRA¯-shun -

 to prune) Removal, inactivation, or de-

struction of the gonads; commonly used in reference to removal

of the testes only.

Colposcopy (kol-POS-ko¯-pe¯; colpo- -

 vagina; -scopy -

 to view) Visual

inspection of the vagina and cervix of the uterus using a culpo-

scope, an instrument that has a magnifying lens (between 5 and

50) and a light. The procedure generally takes place after an

unusual Pap smear.

Culdoscopy (kul-DOS-ko¯-pe¯; -cul- -

 cul-de-sac; -scopy -

 to examine)

A procedure in which a culdoscope (endoscope) is inserted

through the posterior wall of the vagina to view the rectouterine

pouch in the pelvic cavity.

Dysmenorrhea (dis-men-o¯r-E¯-a; dys- -

 difficult or painful) Pain associ-

ated with menstruation; the term is usually reserved to describe

menstrual symptoms that are severe enough to prevent a woman

from functioning normally for one or more days each month.

Some cases are caused by uterine tumors, ovarian cysts, pelvic in-

flammatory disease, or intrauterine devices.

Dyspareunia (dis-pa-ROO-ne¯-a; dys- -

 difficult; -para- -

 beside;

-enue -

 bed) Pain during sexual intercourse. It may occur in the

genital area or in the pelvic cavity, and may be due to inadequate

lubrication, inflammation, infection, an improperly fitting dia-

phragm or cervical cap, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory dis-

ease, pelvic tumors, or weakened uterine ligaments.

Endocervical curettage (kuˉ-re-TAHZH; curette -

 scraper) A procedure

in which the cervix is dilated and the endometrium of the uterus

is scraped with a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette; com-

monly called a D and C (dilation and curettage).

Fibroids (FI¯-broyds; fibro- -

 fiber; -eidos -

 resemblance) Noncancerous

tumors in the myometrium of the uterus composed of muscular

and fibrous tissue. Their growth appears to be related to high

levels of estrogens. They do not occur before puberty and usually

stop growing after menopause. Symptoms include abnormal men-

strual bleeding and pain or pressure in the pelvic area.

Hermaphroditism (her-MAF-ro¯-dI¯t-izm) The presence of both ovarian

and testicular tissue in one individual.

Hypospadias (hI¯-po¯-SPA¯-de¯-as; hypo- -

 below) A common congeni-

tal abnormality in which the urethral opening is displaced. In

males, the displaced opening may be on the underside of the pe-

nis, at the penoscrotal junction, between the scrotal folds, or in

the perineum; in females, the urethra opens into the vagina. The

problem can be corrected surgically.

Leukorrhea (loo-ko¯-RE¯-a; leuko- -

 white) A whitish (nonbloody)

vaginal discharge containing mucus and pus cells that may occur

at any age and affects most women at some time.

Menorrhagia (men-o¯-RA-je¯-a; meno- -

 menstruation; -rhage -

 to

burst forth) Excessively prolonged or profuse menstrual period.

May be due to a disturbance in hormonal regulation of the men-

strual cycle, pelvic infection, medications (anticoagulants), fibroids

(noncancerous uterine tumors composed of muscle and fibrous

tissue), endometriosis, or intrauterine devices.

Oophorectomy (o¯-of-o¯-REK-to¯-me¯; oophor- -

 bearing eggs) Removal

of the ovaries.

Orchitis (or-KI¯-tis; orchi- -

 testes; -itis -

 inflammation) Inflammation

of the testes, for example, as a result of the mumps virus or a

bacterial infection.

Ovarian cyst The most common form of ovarian tumor, in which a

fluid-filled follicle or corpus luteum persists and continues grow-

ing.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) A collective term for any extensive

bacterial infection of the pelvic organs, especially the uterus, uter-

ine tubes, or ovaries, which is characterized by pelvic soreness,

lower back pain, abdominal pain, and urethritis. Often the early

symptoms of PID occur just after menstruation. As infection

spreads, fever may develop, along with painful abscesses of the

reproductive organs.

Salpingectomy (sal-pin-JEK-to¯-me¯; salpingo -

 tube) Removal of a

uterine (fallopian) tube.

Smegma (SMEG-ma) the secretion, consisting principally of desqua-

mated epithelial cells, found chiefly around the external genitals

and especially under the foreskin of the male.

Male Reproductive System

1. The male structures of reproduction include the testes (2), epididymidis (2), ductus (vas) deferens (2),

ejaculatory ducts (2), seminal vesicles (2), urethra (1), prostate (1), bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands (2),

and penis (1). The scrotum is a sac that hangs from the root of the penis and consists of loose skin and

underlying subcutaneous layer; it supports the testes. The temperature of the testes is regulated by the

cremaster muscles, which either contract to elevate the testes and move them closer to the pelvic cavity

or relax and move them farther from the pelvic cavity. The dartos muscle causes the scrotum to become

tight and wrinkled.

 2. The testes are paired oval glands (gonads) in the scrotum containing seminiferous tubules, in which

sperm cells are made; sustentacular cells, which nourish sperm cells and secrete inhibin; and interstitial

(Leydig) cells, which produce the male sex hormone testosterone. The testes descend into the scrotum

through the inguinal canals during the seventh month of fetal development. Failure of the testes to

descend is called cryptorchidism.

 3. Secondary oocytes and sperm, both of which are called gametes, are produced in the gonads.

Spermatogenesis, which occurs in the testes, is the process whereby immature spermatogonia develop

into sperm. The spermatogenesis sequence, which includes meiosis I, meiosis II, and spermiogenesis,

results in the formation of four haploid sperm (spermatozoa) from each primary spermatocyte. Mature

sperm consist of a head and a tail. Their function is to fertilize a secondary oocyte.

 4. At puberty, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates anterior pituitary secretion of FSH and

LH. LH stimulates production of testosterone; FSH and testosterone stimulate spermatogenesis. Sertoli

cells secrete androgen-binding protein (ABP), which binds to testosterone and keeps its concentration

high in the seminiferous tubule. Testosterone controls the growth, development, and maintenance of sex

organs; stimulates bone growth, protein anabolism, and sperm maturation; and stimulates development

of masculine secondary sex characteristics. Inhibin is produced by sustentacular cells; its inhibition of

FSH helps regulate the rate of spermatogenesis.

 5. The duct system of the testes includes the seminiferous tubules, straight tubules, and rete testis. Sperm

flow out of the testes through the efferent ducts. The ductus epididymis is the site of sperm matura-

tion and storage. The ductus (vas) deferens stores sperm and propels them toward the urethra during

ejaculation.

 6. Each ejaculatory duct, formed by the union of the duct from the seminal vesicle and ampulla of the

ductus (vas) deferens, is the passageway for ejection of sperm and secretions of the seminal vesicles into

the first portion of the urethra, the prostatic urethra.

 7. The urethra in males is subdivided into three portions: the prostatic, intermediate, and spongy urethra.

 8. The seminal vesicles secrete an alkaline, viscous fluid that contains fructose (used by sperm for ATP

production). Seminal fluid constitutes about 60% of the volume of semen and contributes to sperm

viability. The prostate secretes a slightly acidic fluid that constitutes about 25% of the volume of semen

and contributes to sperm motility. The bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands secrete mucus for lubrication

and an alkaline substance that neutralizes acid. Semen is a mixture of sperm and seminal fluid; it pro-

vides the fluid in which sperm are transported, supplies nutrients, and neutralizes the acidity of the male

urethra and the vagina.

 9. The penis consists of a root, a body, and a glans penis. Engorgement of the penile blood sinuses under

the influence of sexual excitation is called erection.

Female Reproductive System

1. The female organs of reproduction include the ovaries (gonads), uterine (fallopian) tubes or oviducts,

uterus, vagina, and vulva. The mammary glands are part of the integumentary system and also are con-

sidered part of the reproductive system in females.

 2. The ovaries, the female gonads, are located in the superior portion of the pelvic cavity, lateral to the

uterus. Ovaries produce secondary oocytes, discharge secondary oocytes (the process of ovulation), and

secrete estrogens, progesterone, relaxin, and inhibin.

 3. Oogenesis (the production of haploid secondary oocytes) begins in the ovaries. The oogenesis sequence

includes meiosis I and meiosis II, which goes to completion only after an ovulated secondary oocyte is

fertilized by a sperm cell.

 4. The uterine (fallopian) tubes transport secondary oocytes from the ovaries to the uterus and are the

normal sites of fertilization. Ciliated cells and peristaltic contractions help move a secondary oocyte or

fertilized ovum toward the uterus.

 5. The uterus is an organ the size and shape of an inverted pear that functions in menstruation, implantation

of a fertilized ovum, development of a fetus during pregnancy, and labor. It also is part of the pathway

for sperm to reach the uterine tubes to fertilize a secondary oocyte. Normally, the uterus is held in position

by a series of ligaments. Histologically, the layers of the uterus are an outer perimetrium (serosa), a

middle myometrium, and an inner endometrium.

 6. The vagina is a passageway for sperm and the menstrual flow, the receptacle of the penis during sexual

intercourse, and the inferior portion of the birth canal. It is capable of considerable stretching.

 7. The vulva, a collective term for the external genitals of the female, consists of the mons pubis, labia

majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule, vaginal and urethral orifices, hymen, and bulb of the vestibule,

as well as three sets of glands: the paraurethral (Skene’s), greater vestibular (Bartholin’s), and lesser

vestibular glands.

 8. The perineum is a diamond-shaped area at the inferior end of the trunk medial to the thighs and buttocks.

 9. The mammary glands are modified sweat glands lying superficial to the pectoralis major muscles. Their

function is to synthesize, secrete, and eject milk (lactation).

 10. Mammary gland development depends on estrogens and progesterone. Milk production is stimulated by

prolactin, estrogens, and progesterone; milk ejection is stimulated by oxytocin.