Nursing Entrance Exam

• Urinary tract infection (UTI): A bacterial infection which affects any part of the urinary system. 8.3.4 Medical Terminology • Diuresis: An increase in urine excretion, which can be induced with diuretics. • Homeostasis: The ability of the human body to maintain a stable internal environment when dealing with changes in both the internal and external environments. • Nephrology: A specialized branch of medicine dealing with the kidneys. • Polyuria: The excessive formation of urine. • Urology: A branch of medicine dealing with the urinary systems. 8.4 The Reproductive System – Tour of the System The reproductive system ensures the continued existence of the human species. It produces, stores, transports, and nourishes functional male and female reproductive cells called gametes. The reproductive system includes the gonads (the reproductive organs which produce hormones and gametes), ducts that receive and transport the gametes, accessory glands and organs that secrete fluids into the ducts of the reproductive system or into other excretory ducts, and perineal structures that are collectively known as the external genitalia. In both males and females, the ducts are connected to chambers and passageways that open to the exterior of the body. The reproductive tract is comprised of the structures involved. The female and male reproductive systems are functionally quite different. In adult males, the testes, or male gonads, secrete sex hormones called androgens. Each day, the testes also produce about a half billion male gametes called spermatozoa, or sperm. During emission, the mature spermatozoa are mixed with the secretions of accessory glands and travel along a lengthy duct system. The mixture created isknown as semen. During ejaculation, semen is expelled from thebody. In adult females, the ovaries, or female gonads, typically release only one immature gamete, an oocyte, per month. This oocyte travels along one of two short uterine tubes, towards amuscular organ called the uterus. If a sperm reaches the oocyte and initiates the process of fertilization, the oocyte matures into an ovum. The short passageway of the vagina connects the uterus with the exterior. Ejaculation into the vagina during sexual intercourse introduces semen into the female reproductive tract, and the spermatozoa then ascend through the vagina towards the uterus. If fertilization occurs, the uterus will enclose and support a developing embryo as it grows into a fetus and prepares for birth. 8.4.1 Functions The functions of the reproductive system are to produce, store, nourish, and transport functional gametes (reproductive cells) and to provide an environment for fertilization and offspring development, delivery and nourishment.

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