The Reproductive System

Flashcards on the male and female reproductive systems, including anatomy, hormones, and cycles.

Male Reproductive Anatomy

Seminal vesicle, Ampulla of ductus deferens, Ejaculatory duct, Rectum, Prostate, Bulbourethral gland, Anus, Ductus (vas) deferens, Epididymis, Ureter, Urinary bladder, Urethra, Pubis, Corpus cavernosum, Corpus spongiosum, Glans penis, Prepuce, Urethra , Testis, Scrotum

External genitalia: The Penis

Designed to deliver sperm to the female reproductive tract

External genitalia: The Scrotum

Sac of skin housing the testes outside the abdominal cavity of the body essential for temperature regulation of testes

Functions of the epididymis

Stores, nourishes and protects spermatozoa, Facilitates functional maturation, Recycles damaged sperm, Ejaculates the sperm

Sperm travel through a series of tubes

Epididymis, Ductus/Vas deferens, Ejaculatory ducts, Urethra

Accessory glands add secretions to the sperm

Seminal vesicles, Bulbourethral gland, Prostate

Ductus deferens

Tube that runs from the scrotal sac up into the abdominal cavity, then descends downward towards the urethra

Seminal vesicles

Release a viscous fluid which makes up 60-70% of semen volume and contains substances that enhance sperm motility and their ability to fertilise an ovum

Prostate gland

A doughnut shaped gland that surrounds the urethra and produces fluid that accounts for up to 30% of semen volume

Bulbourethral glands

Located inferior to the prostate on either side of the urethra and Produce a thick mucus which lubricates the glans penis and neutralizes traces of acidic urine in the urethra prior to ejaculation

Ejaculation

The propulsion of semen from the male duct system

Spermatogenesis

Sperm production

Spermatogenesis Process

Spermatogonium (stem cell) --> Sustentocyte --> Lumen of seminiferous tubule --> Late spermatids --> Early spermatids --> Secondary spermatocytes --> Primary spermatocyte --> Spermatozoa

What does testosterone do?

Stimulates spermatogenesis, Increases growth of reproductive ducts and glands & Increases size of penis

Female reproductive anatomy

Infundibulum, Uterine tube, Ovary, Uterus, Urinary bladder, Pubic symphysis, Mons pubis, Urethra, Clitoris, Labia minora, Labia majora, Rectum, Cervix, Vagina, Greater vestibular (Bartholin’s) gland, Fimbriae

Labia majora

2 fatty skin folds

Labia minora

Two thin, hair- free skin folds that enclose the Vestibule

Greater vestibular (Bartholin’s) glands

Release mucus to lubricate intercourse

Clitoris

Erectile tissue, richly innervated, sexual arousal

Female Internal genitalia

Vagina, External os, Internal os, Wall of uterus, Perimetrium, Myometrium, Endometrium, Uterine tube, Infundibulum, Fimbriae Isthmus, Ampulla, Lumen (cavity) of uterus

Vagina

Provide a passageway to eliminate menstrual fluids, receive the penis during intercourse & expel fetus during child birth

Uterus

Latin for “womb” and is a Hollow, thick muscular organ that: receives, retains and nourishes offspring

Perimetrium

Outermost layer of the uterine wall

Myometrium

Bulky, middle muscular layer of the uterine wall

Endometrium

Inner, mucosal layer of the uterine wall and allows for implantation of the fertilised egg

The Uterine tubes

Receive ovulated oocytes. Typical site where fertilisation normally takes place. Ciliated finger-like projections (fimbriae) sweep over the ovary draw the oocyte into the tube and Muscular movements and beating cilia carry the oocyte towards the uterus

The ovaries

Produce female gametes (oocytes) & secrete female sex hormones (oestrogen and progesterone)

Oogenesis

Occurs in the ovaries and Begins in the fetal period

Ovarian cycle

Events that mature an ovum

Follicular phase

Follicle growth, ovulation occurs at the end of this stage

Luteal phase

Period of corpus luteum activity

Corpus Luteum

Ruptured follicle takes on new role of corpus luteum (CL = yellow body)

Menstrual phase (menses)

Shedding of the functional layer of the endometrium

Proliferative (pre-ovulatory) phase

Rebuilding of the functional layer of the endometrium

Secretory (post-ovulatory) phase

Endometrium prepares for implantation (arteries elongate, glands enlarge and secrete nutritious glycogen-rich mucus)

The mammary glands

Functional in females Produces milk to nourish newborn & Part of integumentary system (modified sweat glands)