Female and Male Reproductive System: Terminology and Anatomy

Reproductive System Terminology

Reproductive Combining Forms

Medical combining forms are used to construct terms related to the reproductive system. Understanding these forms helps in interpreting anatomical and physiological terminology.

• amni/o: amniotic sac

• episi/o, vulv/o: vulva

• cervic/o: neck of uterus

• gynec/o: woman

• hyster/o, uter/o: uterus, womb

• colp/o, vagin/o: vagina

• crypt/o: hidden

• epididym/o: epididymis

• mamm/o, mast/o: breast

• prostat/o: prostate

• men/o: menses

• salping/o: fallopian tubes, oviducts, uterine tubes

• nat/o: birth

• ovu/o: egg cell

• spermat/o: sperm

• oophor/o, ovari/o: ovary

• vas/o: vas deferens

• orch/o, orchi/o, orchid/o: testes

• vesicul/o: seminal vesicle

• perine/o: perineum

Reproductive Suffixes

Suffixes are added to root words to modify their meaning, often indicating procedures, conditions, or processes.

• -arche: beginning (e.g., menarche: onset of menstruation)

• -cyesis, -gravida: pregnancy

• -genesis: forming, origin

• -para: to bear (offspring)

• -salpinx: uterine tubes

• -tocia: childbirth, labor

• -version: act of turning

Reproductive Abbreviations

Abbreviations are commonly used in clinical and academic settings to refer to reproductive system conditions, procedures, and concepts.

• BO: bilateral oophorectomy

• GC: gonorrhea

• Grav: pregnancy

• C: circumcision

• Gyn: gynecology

• Cx: cervix

• IUD: intrauterine device

• D & C: dilation and curettage

• IVF: in-vitro fertilization

• EP: ectopic pregnancy

• LMP: last menstrual period

• FBD: fibrocystic breast disease

• para: live birth

• PGD: preimplantation genetic diagnosis

• PID: pelvic inflammatory disease

• PMS: premenstrual syndrome

• PSA: prostate specific antigen

• STD/STI: sexually transmitted disease/infection

• SVD: spontaneous vaginal delivery

Female Reproductive System

General Function

The female reproductive system is responsible for the production of ova (egg cells), protection and nutrition of developing offspring, and facilitating childbirth.

• Oogenesis: production of ova in the ovaries

• Support: provides environment for fertilization and fetal development

Internal Genitalia: Ovaries

The ovaries are the primary sex glands (gonads) in females, located in the pelvic cavity on either side of the uterus. They are almond-shaped and held in place by ligaments.

• Ovarian follicles: sac-like structures containing immature sex cells (oocytes)

• Follicular cells: surround each oocyte and secrete estrogen

Types of Ovarian Follicles

• Primary follicle: single layer of follicular cells surrounding the oocyte

• Secondary follicle: more mature, with multiple layers of follicular cells

• Graafian (tertiary) follicle: most mature, ready to release oocyte during ovulation

Ovulation is the process by which a mature follicle releases its oocyte from the ovary, typically once per menstrual cycle.

Additional info: The corpus luteum forms from the ruptured follicle after ovulation and secretes hormones necessary for maintaining early pregnancy.