Anatomy & Physiology 2 : Male and Female Reproductive System Lecture Exam

Primary sex organs (gonads)

Testes in males and ovaries in females; produce gametes and hormones.

Gametes

Reproductive cells: sperm in males and oocytes in females.

Secondary reproductive organs

Reproductive structures other than the gonads that support reproduction.

Secondary sex characteristics

Physical traits that develop at puberty under the influence of sex hormones.

SRY

Initiates testicular differentiation in typical development.

Fetal testosterone

Supports development of the mesonephric ducts.

Müllerian-inhibiting factor

Causes regression of the paramesonephric ducts.

Homologous external structures

Penis and clitoris; scrotum and labia majora.

Cryptorchidism

Failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum.

Testicular descent

The cooler environment supports normal sperm production.

Cremaster muscle

Raises the testes in response to cold.

Dartos muscle

Wrinkles scrotal skin to reduce heat loss.

Pampiniform plexus

Exchanges heat with incoming arterial blood, cooling it before it reaches the testes.

Seminiferous tubules

Produce sperm.

Nurse cells (Sertoli cells)

Support developing germ cells, form the blood-testis barrier, and produce ABP and inhibin.

Interstitial endocrine cells (Leydig cells)

Produce testosterone between seminiferous tubules.

Epididymis

Sperm maturation and storage.

Ductus deferens

Transports sperm through smooth muscle contractions.

Erectile tissues of the penis

Two corpora cavernosa and one corpus spongiosum.

Corpus spongiosum

Surrounds the spongy urethra and forms the glans.

Sperm pathway

Seminiferous tubules → rete testis → efferent ductules → epididymis → ductus deferens → ejaculatory duct → prostatic → membranous → spongy urethra → external opening.

Sperm and seminal vesicles

No. The seminal vesicle duct joins the ductus deferens to form the ejaculatory duct.

Seminal vesicles

Posterior to the bladder; provide much seminal fluid, including fructose and substances supporting sperm transport and coagulation.

Prostate

Inferior to the bladder, surrounding the proximal urethra; contributes enzymes involved in semen coagulation and liquefaction.

Bulbourethral glands

Lubricating mucus that helps neutralize residual urinary acidity in the urethra.

Semen

Sperm plus glandular fluids.

Prostate enlargement

The prostate surrounds the proximal urethra, so enlargement can obstruct urine flow.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular hormone pathway

Hypothalamus releases GnRH → anterior pituitary releases FSH and LH.

LH in the testes

Stimulates interstitial endocrine (Leydig) cells to produce testosterone.

FSH in the testes

Acts on nurse (Sertoli) cells; with testosterone, supports spermatogenesis.

Androgen-binding protein (ABP)

Keeps testosterone concentrated near developing sperm.

Inhibin in males

Nurse-cell hormone that reduces FSH secretion.

Testosterone feedback

Provides negative feedback to the hypothalamus and pituitary.

Reproductive hormone axis at puberty

Sperm production, reproductive organ growth, libido, and secondary sex characteristics.

Male reproductive aging

Testosterone and reproductive performance may decline gradually; there is no abrupt endpoint like menopause.

Mitosis vs. meiosis

Mitosis maintains chromosome number; meiosis uses one DNA replication and two divisions to produce haploid cells and genetic variation.

Crossing over

Homologous chromosomes pair and exchange DNA during prophase I.

Meiosis I

Separates homologous chromosomes.

Meiosis II

Separates sister chromatids.

Spermatogenesis

Spermatogonium (2n) → primary spermatocyte (2n) → two secondary spermatocytes (n) → four spermatids (n) → four spermatozoa (n).

Primary spermatocyte

Diploid (2n), even after DNA replication.

Secondary spermatocyte

Meiosis I has separated homologous chromosomes, reducing chromosome number to haploid.

Spermiogenesis

Remodeling spermatids into spermatozoa without another cell division.

Sperm head and acrosome

The head contains the haploid nucleus; acrosomal enzymes help penetrate the oocyte coverings.

Sperm midpiece

Contains mitochondria that support ATP production.

Sperm flagellum

Provides movement.

Blood-testis barrier

A barrier formed by nurse cells that supports the protected environment of developing germ cells.

Erection

Mainly parasympathetic signaling and nitric oxide; smooth muscle relaxes, blood entry increases, and reduced venous outflow sustains erection.

Emission

Primarily sympathetic movement of sperm through ducts and mixing with glandular secretions.

Expulsion

Rhythmic contractions involving somatic motor pathways and autonomic coordination propel semen outward.

Internal urethral sphincter

Closure prevents semen from entering the bladder.

Resolution

Erectile blood flow falls and the penis becomes flaccid; a refractory period usually follows.

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors

Prolong cGMP signaling; they do not produce sperm or supply testosterone.

Bacterial STIs

Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis.

Viral STIs

HPV and herpes.

STI transmission and fertility

Infection can spread without obvious symptoms; inflammation and scarring of reproductive passages can interfere with fertility.

Main female reproductive organs

Ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina, and vulva.

Ovaries

Produce oocytes and hormones.

Ovarian cortex and medulla

Follicles develop in the cortex; major vessels occupy the medulla.

Ovarian ligament

Connects an ovary to the uterus.

Suspensory ligament

Carries ovarian vessels.

Mesovarium

Attaches the ovary to the broad ligament.

Oocyte pathway

Fimbriae sweep it toward the infundibulum → ampulla → isthmus → uterus.

Oocyte transport

Ciliary currents and muscular contractions assist movement.

Sperm pathway through the female reproductive tract

Vagina → cervical canal → uterine cavity → uterine tube.

Perimetrium

Outer covering of the uterus.

Myometrium

Produces uterine contractions.

Endometrium

Changes during the menstrual cycle.

Functional endometrial layer

The layer that is shed.

Basal endometrial layer

Remains and regenerates the functional layer.

Broad ligament

Includes mesovarium, mesosalpinx, and mesometrium.

Cardinal and uterosacral ligaments

Help support the cervix and uterus.

Round ligaments

Help maintain uterine position.

Reproductive blood supply

Ovarian and uterine arteries; spiral arteries supply the functional endometrium.

Vagina

Receives semen, permits menstrual discharge, and forms part of the birth canal.

Vaginal lining

Stratified squamous epithelium that resists abrasion.

Vulva

Labia, clitoris, vestibule, and associated glands.

Urethral and vaginal openings

Separate openings.

Vaginal lubrication

Fluid passes through the vaginal wall, and cervical mucus contributes; the vagina itself lacks glands.

Primary oocyte

Begins meiosis I before birth and arrests in prophase I.

Completion of meiosis I

Produces a secondary oocyte and a small polar body through unequal cytoplasmic division.

Secondary oocyte

Arrests in metaphase II; fertilization triggers completion of meiosis II.

Cell released at ovulation

A secondary oocyte, not a cell that has completed both meiotic divisions.

Follicle development

Primordial → primary → secondary → tertiary (antral) → mature follicle.

Granulosa cells

Surround and support the oocyte.

Zona pellucida

Glycoprotein covering.

Antrum

Fluid-filled space.

Corona radiata

Cells immediately surrounding the zona pellucida.

Primary follicle

Contains a primary oocyte.

Follicular atresia

The natural biological process where ovarian follicles degenerate and die instead of maturing and releasing an egg.Most developing follicles undergo atresia.

Corpus luteum and corpus albicans

After ovulation, the follicle becomes the corpus luteum; if pregnancy does not maintain it, it regresses into a corpus albicans.

Spermatogenesis vs. oogenesis

Spermatogenesis begins at puberty and produces four functional sperm; oogenesis begins before birth and produces one large functional gamete plus polar bodies.

Day 1 of the menstrual cycle

The first day of menstrual bleeding; the 28-day cycle is a teaching model, not a universal rule.

Early follicular phase and menstruation

The corpus luteum regresses; estrogen and progesterone fall, the functional endometrium sheds, and reduced negative feedback allows FSH to rise.

Later follicular and proliferative phases

Developing follicles increase estradiol; the functional endometrium rebuilds and a dominant follicle develops.

LH surge and ovulation

Sustained high estradiol switches to positive feedback, helping produce the LH surge, which triggers ovulation and luteinization.

Luteal and secretory phases

The corpus luteum produces progesterone and estrogen; progesterone promotes endometrial secretion, and ovarian hormones inhibit FSH and LH.

Premenstrual phase

Corpus luteum regression lowers ovarian hormones; spiral artery changes and tissue breakdown lead to menstruation.

Falling progesterone

The endometrium loses hormonal support.

Positive feedback from estradiol

LH rises sharply in the LH surge.