Chapter 8: Vocabulary

fallopian fubes, ovaries, and supporting ligaments

innermost membranous sac surrounding the developing fetus

dark-pigmented area surrounding the breast nipple

small mucus-secreting exocrine glands at the vaginal orifice

lower, neck-like portion of the uterus

outermost later of the two membranes surrounding the embryo; it forms the fetal part of the placenta

organ of sensitive erectile tissue anterior to the opening of the female urethra

sexual intercourse

empty ovarian follicle that secretes progesterone after release of the egg cell

region in the lower abdomen, midway between the Redfin and the uterus

stage in prenatal development from 2 to 8 weeks

inner, mucous membrane lining of the uterus

hormone produced by the ovaries; promotes female secondary sex characteristics

one of a pair of ducts through which the ovum travels to the uterus; also called an oviduct

union of the sperm cell and ovum from which the embryo develops

stage in prenatal development from 8 to 39 or 40 weeks

finger- or fringe-like projections at the end of the fallopian tubes

secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate maturation of the egg cell

male or female sexual reproductive cell; sperm cell or ovum

reproductive organs

period from fertilization of the ovum to birth

female or male reproductive organ that produces sex cells and hormones; ovary or testis

study of the female reproductive organs including the breasts

hormone produced by the placenta to sustain pregnancy by stimulating the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone

mucous membranes partially or completely covering the opening to the vagina

lips of the vagina

tubes that carry milk within the breast

secreted by the pituitary gland to promote ovulation

nipple of the breast

beginning of the first menstrual period and ability to reproduce

gradual ending of menstruation

monthly shedding of the uterine lining; the flow of blood and tissue normally discharged during menstruation is called the menses

muscle layer of the uterus

branch of medicine that studies the disorders and care of the newborn

branch of medicine concerned with pregnancy and childbirth

an opening

developing sac enclosing each ovum within the ovary

one of a pair of female organs on each side of the pelvis; each produce egg cells and hormones

release of the ovum from the ovary

mature egg cell

act of giving birth

the area between the anus and the vagina

endocrine gland at the base of the brain that produces hormones and stimulates the ovaries; also regulates other endocrine organs

vascular organ attached to the uterine wall during pregnancy; it permits the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and fetal waste products between mother and fetus

condition in a female of having a developing embryo and fetus in her uterus for about 40 weeks

hormone produced by the corpus luteum in the ovary and the placenta of pregnant women

point in the life cycle at which secondary sex characteristics appear and gametes are produced

outermost layer surrounding the uterus

hollow, pear-shaped muscular female organ in which the embryo and fetus develop, and from which menstruation occurs

muscular, mucosa-lined canal extending from the uterus to the exterior of the body

external female genitalia; includes the labia, hymen, clitoris, and vaginal orifice

stage in prenatal development from fertilization and implantation up to 2 weeks