11.1 - structure of the reproductive systems

what are the male gonads (Where the gamete is produced)

the testes

why do testes lie outside the body

sperm production needs a temp 2 degrees lower then body temp

• when cold smooth muscle contractions move them closer to body

• when hot muscles can relax to move them away

what is inside a testis

300-400 lobules filled with fine tubules called seminiferous tubules

what do seminiferous tubules do

they are lined with cells that produce the male gamete

how do the seminiferous tubules leave the testis

they join to form straight tubules which join into a ducts that leaves the testis and enter the epididymis

what lie between the seminiferous tubules

interstitial cells that secrete testosterone

where is the epididymis located and what does it do

folded tubule on rear surface of testis

can store sperm for up to a month while it matures

what does the epididymis turn into

the vas deferens (sperm duct)

what does the vas deferens do and where is it located

carries sperm away from testis

goes around the bladder and abdomen and joins the urethra under the bladder along with the other vas deferens (one from each testis)

what is the role of the urethra

duct for transporting urine and sperm

what is ejaculated aside from sperm and where does it come from

semen, comes from:

• the prostate gland

• the bulbo urethral glands

• the seminal vesicles

what do the seminal vesicles do and where are they located

located behind bladder, secrete rich sugary fluid that is 60% of semen volume

what does the prostate gland do and where is it located

where the vas deferentia join the urethra, secretes thin milky alkaline fluid that becomes part of the semen

what do the bulbo urethral glands do and where are they located

located beneath prostate on either side of urethra

secrete clear mucus that acts as lubricant and most of it precedes the emission of seminal fluid (precum)

what is the special type of tissue around the penis and its function

erectile tissue - highly vascularized connective tissue with spongey spaces that fill with blood on arousal, causing penis to stiffen and enlarge (erect)

what are the female gonads

the ovaries

what are the ovaries composed of

connective tissue called the stroma surrounded by a layer of cells containing germ cells enclosed in follicles

where is an egg expelled when it ruptures

the uterine/fallopian tube (theres two of these)

what is between the ovarys and uterine tubes

fimbriae - finger like projections that guide egg into uterine tube

how is the egg moved from the tube to the uterus

cilia and contractions of smooth muscle

how is the uterus held in position

ligaments in the pelvic cavity

what is the wall of the uterus made up of

smooth muscle with a soft mucus lining called the endometrium

what are the functions of the vagina

• receives penis in sexual intercourse

• forms birth canal in childbirth

what is the external vagina partially covered by

the hymen

what is the term for the exterior region of the vagina and what is it made of

the vulva - made up of the labia majora, the labia minora, and the clitoris

what is the labia majora

two fat folds of skin containing glands that produce an oily secretion

• outer surfaces pigmented and hairy

• inner surfaces smooth and moist

what is the labia minora

smaller folds of skin under the labia majora without fat/pubic hair

surrounds vaginal opening and urethra

what is the clitoris

structure equivalent to penis - contains erectile tissue and is sensitive