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Medical Terminology Statement: Learning word parts provides students with a

strong foundation in medical terminology, the professional language of those
directly or indirectly engaged in the art of healing.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Introduction: The ability to reproduce is certainly one of the most interesting and
mysterious attributes of life. Reproduction is a basic function as it’s necessary to
perpetuate the species, the process by which human life continues. The
simplest forms of life, one-celled organisms, usually need no partner to
reproduce; they simply divide by themselves. This form of reproduction is known
as asexual (nonsexual) reproduction. Human reproduction is sexual, that is, it
requires cells from a male and female to produce another human.

Read the Functions of the Male Reproductive System.

Read the Structures of the Male Reproductive Systems.

Read the Functions of the Female Reproductive System.

Read the Structures of the Female Reproductive Systems.

Quiz Tip: Know the route of the flow of spermatozoa in the male and in the
female.

VOCABULARY LIST FOR CHAPTER FOURTEEN

(Instructions: Find the definition of each item, write it down, and memorize. Go
to Vocabulary List Instructions for how to use this Vocabulary List.)

orch/o, orchi/o, orchid/o, didym/o, test/o, testicul/o (testicles, testes)

epididym/o (epididymis)

vas deferens

semin/i (semen)

ejaculat/o (ejaculatory duct)

urethr/o (urethra)

sperm/o, spermat/o (spermatozoa)

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pen/i, priap/o (penis)

crypt/o (cryptorchidism)

varic/o (varicocele)

prostat/o (prostate gland) Quiz Tip: The prostate gland surrounds the upper

end of the urethra.

clitor/o (clitoris)

perine/o (perineum)

oophor/o, ovari/o (ovary)

oo/o, ov/i, ov/o (ova)

salping/o (fallopian tubes) Quiz Tip: Know that fertilization takes place in the

outer one-third region of a fallopian tube.

hyster/o, metr/o, metri/o, uter/o (uterus)

Ante- (anteflexion)

fund/o (fundus)

corp/u (corpus)

cervic/o (cervix)

Peri- (perimetrium)

my/o (myometrium)

Endo- (endometrium)

colp/o, vagin/o (vagina)

men/o, menstru/o, menstruat/o (menstruation)

mamm/o, mast/o (breast)

galact/o (galactorrhea)
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D&C

zygote

embryo

fet/i, fet/o (fetus)

placent/o (placenta)

umbilic/o (umbilical cord)

gest/o, gestat/o (gestation)

Primi- (primigravida)

gravid/o (premigravida)

Nulli- (nullipara)

-para (nullipara)

abort/o (abortion)

episiotomy

General Quiz Tips:

Know definitions of word parts.

Know where fertilization takes place.

Know route of spermatozoa in male and female.

The spelling questions will be over the medical terms in and out of parenthesis.