BI 356L - Reproductive System

What is the ejaculatory duct a combination of?

ampulla of the ductus deferens and seminal gladn

What are the components of the spermatic cord?

- ductus deferens

- testicular artery

- venous plexus

- lymphatic vessels

- nerves

What is the crura?

proximal ends of corpora cavernosa that anchor penis to pelvis

uterosacral ligament

attaches uterus to sacrum

ovarian ligament

attaches ovary to uterus

suspensory ligament

anchors ovary laterally to pelvic wall

Do the fimbriae touch the ovary?

no, they get very close but dont touch

What happens in the seminiferous tubules?

spermatogenesis (sperm development)

Spermatogenesis

mitosis --> meiosis --> meiosis

- in the first round of mitosis, only one of those cells continues to become sperm

--- both cells dont undergo meiosis so that we keep replenishing the germ stem cell line and can keep forming sperm

True or false: The seminiferous tubules produce mature sperm.

false - produce immature sperm

What do mature sperm have?

acrosome and tail

Why does the corpora caverosa have a spongy appearance?

so that it can fill with blood during an erection

What is a primordial follicle?

primary oocyte surrounded by a single, flat layer of cells

What is a primary follicle?

a primary oocyte surrounded by >1 layer of cells

- look for space between oocyte and cells (zona pellucida)

What is a secondary follicle?

adds fluid filled vesicles inside and thecal cells outside the entire structure

- zona pellucida still surrounds the oocyte

What is a mature/graafian follicle?

- one "clean" vesicle --> antrum

- larger

- oocyte gravitates toward one side

What does the corpus luteum secrete?

progesterone and some estrogen

What happens to the corpus luteum if pregnancy occurs vs if pregnancy does not occur?

if pregnancy occurs, it will enlarge

if pregnancy does not occur, it will degenerate after 10-12 days

What is the corpus albicans?

further degeneration and decrease in size of the corpus luteum

What color does the corpus albicans turn?

white-yellow

What are the 3 main phases of the menstrual cycle?

- follicular phase

- ovulation

- luteal phase

In what days of the menstrual cycle does the follicular phase occur?

1-13

In what days of the menstrual cycle does ovulation occur?

13-15

In what days of the menstrual cycle does the luteal phase occur?

15-28

Menstruation is a part of the ___________________ phase

follicular

In what days of the menstrual cycle does menstruation occur?

1-7

What is the follicular phase characterized by?

ovarian follicle development

What is ovulation triggered by?

LH surge

In regard to ovarian histology, what is the luteal phased marked by?

corpus luteum formation

When do progesterone levels rise significantly?

during the luteal phase

What hormones are responsible for thickening the endometrium during the luteal phase?

estrogen and progesterone

What hormones peak in ovulation?

LH and FSH

If pregnancy does not occur, what happens to progesterone levels?

decreases after the luteal phase

What arteries develop in the endometrium while it thickens?

spiral arteries

What are spiral arteries?

small arteries which temporarily supply blood to the endometrium of the uterus during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

What hormone supports spiral arteries?

progesterone

What are the 2 times that estrogen levels peak?

- before ovulation

- during luteal phase

What happens to the endometrium during the luteal phase?

endometrium thickness increases to prepare uterus for possible implantation

In regard to ovarian histology, what triggers menstruation?

degeneration of the corpus luteum