Key Terms and Glossary

Search the textbook's full glossary using the form below. The results will open in a new window. Following the search form are the key terms featured in this chapter of the textbook.

Adrenal glands: Endocrine glands located just above the kidneys; in the female they are the major producers of androgens. (page 117)

Adrenogenital syndrome: See congenital adrenal hyperplasia: a condition in which a genetic female produces abnormal levels of testosterone prenatally and therefore has male-appearing genitals at birth. (page 111)

Analogous organs: Organs in the male and female that have similar functions. (page 109)

Androgens: The group of "male" sex hormones, one of which is testosterone. (page 102)

CAH: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a condition in which a genetic female produces abnormal levels of testosterone prenatally and therefore has male-appearing genitals at birth. (page 111)

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH): A condition in which a genetic female has an abnormally functioning adrenal gland that produces an excess of androgens so that she is born with genitals that look like a male's. Also called adrenogenital syndrome. (page 111)

Cryptorchidism: Undescended testes; the condition in which the testes do not descend to the scrotum as they should during prenatal development. (page 109)

Estrogens: The group of "female" sex hormones. (page 102)

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): A hormone secreted by the pituitary; it stimulates follicle development in females and sperm production in males. (page 104)

Gender identity: The psychological sense of one's own maleness or femaleness. (page 110)

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH): A hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that regulates the pituitary's secretion of gonad-stimulating hormones. (page 104)

Homologous organs: Organs in the male and female that develop from the same embryonic tissue. (page 109)

Hormones: Chemical substances secreted by the endocrine glands into the bloodstream. (page 102)

Hypothalamus (hy-poh-THAL-ah-mus): A small region of the brain that is important in regulating many body functions, including the functioning of the sex hormones. (page 102)

Inhibin: A substance secreted by the testes and ovaries which regulates FSH levels. (page 105)

Intersex: An individual who has a mixture of male and female reproductive structures, so that it is not clear at birth whether the individual is a male or a female. Also called a pseudohermaphrodite. (page 111)

Luteinizing hormone (LH): A hormone secreted by the pituitary; it regulates estrogen secretion and ovum development in the female and testosterone production in the male. (page 104)

Müllerian ducts: Ducts found in both male and female fetuses; in males they degenerate and in females they develop into the fallopian tubes, the uterus, and the upper part of the vagina. (page 108)

Menarche: First menstruation. (page 115)

Pituitary gland: A small endocrine gland located on the lower side of the brain below the hypothalamus; the pituitary is important in regulating levels of sex hormones. (page 102)

Prenatal period (pree-NAY-tul): The time from conception to birth. (page 102)

Progesterone: A "female" sex hormone secreted by the ovaries. (page 102)

Puberty: The time during which there is sudden enlargement and maturation of the gonads, other genitalia, and secondary sex characteristics, so that the individual becomes capable of reproduction. (page 114)

Testis-determining factor (TDF): A gene on the Y chromosome that causes testes to differentiate prenatally. Also called SRY, for sex-determining region, Y chromosome. (page 108)

Testosterone: A hormone secreted by the testes in the male (and present at lower levels in the female). (page 102)

Wolffian ducts: Ducts found in both male and female fetuses; in females they degenerate and in males they develop into the epididymis, the vas deferens, and the ejaculatory duct. (page 108)