A&P II - Reproductive Quiz

AMAB Reproductive System

Structures:

• testes

• system of ducts - epididymis, vas deferent, ejaculatory, duct, urethra

• accessory sex glands - seminal vesicle, prostate gland, bulbourethral gland

• supporting structures - penis, scrotum

• spermatic cord: encloses vas deferens, lymphatics, nerves

Prostate

• produces fluid that nourishes and transports sperm (seminal fluid)

  • sperm in fluid

  • prostate secretes an alkaline substance that constitutes approximately 30% of seminal fluid

Testes

• produce and release testosterone and sperm

• lobules - about 200-300/testicle

Epididymis

• store the sperms for maturation and transport it to vas deferens

  • vasectomy: cut vas deferens

Seminiferous tubules & spermatogenesis

• Sertoli cells - embedded within the seminiferous tubule, stimulated by FSH to secrete nutrients for sperm production and form the blood testes barrier

  • mechanical support & protection for germinating sperm cells

Pathway of Sperm

1. Testicles - where sperm is produced

2. Epididymis - sperm is stored

3. Vas deferens - transports sperm

4. Seminal vesicle

5. Prostate

6. Urethra

   • Exits through the meatus

AFAB Reproductive System

• create an oocyte & a fertile environment for the zygote that arises after fertilization

  • egg = oocyte when it has not met sperm; zygote when met with sperm

• born with a set # of eggs: 1-2 million

• paired ovaries

Ovaries

• produce oocytes

• hormone - progesterone and estrogen

• oogenesis: process of maturing oocytes (egg formation)

  • 1 mature egg per month; alternating ovaries

Fallopian tubes (uterine tubes)

• consists of three main parts:

  • infundibulum with fimbriae, ampulla, and isthmus

• Ovaries are not connected to uterine ducts (see photo)

Uterus & Vagina

• layers of uterus:

  • endometrium - innermost layer; layer that sheds during menstruation

  • myometrium - middle

  • perimetrium - outer

• ciliary action: moves the ovum through uterine tubes

• ectopic pregnancy: egg implants outside of uterus

4 Phases - Follicular phase:

Begins at menstruation until ovulation. Pituitary gland releases follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), stimulating the development of follicles in the ovaries, each containing an egg.

4 phases - Ovulation:

This usually occurs on day 14, a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers the release of a mature egg from one ovary.

4 Phases - Luteal Phase:

After ovulation, the ruptured follicle transforms to corpus luteum (which secretes progesterone). Progesterone prepares the uterus for potential implantation of the fertilized egg & help maintain pregnancy if conception occurs.

4 Phases - Menstruation:

If fertilization does not occur, corpus luteum degenerates, leading to a drop in progesterone levels. This will cause the endometrium to shed, resulting in menstruation.

Clitoris

• small organ made of erectile tissue

  • can be filled with blood during a sexual response

  • behind labia minora

Amenorrhea

• absence of menstruation

  • failure to menstruate

• secondary to amenorrhea:

  • anorexia - low calories, body in survival state; decrease production of estrogen & progesterone

  • extreme exercise - stress response; hypothalamus - decrease FSH & LH

  • stress - stress causes the release of cortisol, if there is too much cortisol, it will affect the menstrual cycle; high levels of cortisol = levels of hormones needed to trigger ovulation and menstruation to decrease