Anatomy and Physiology: Reproductive System

Reproductive system

Function is to produce new life

Gonads

sex glands

Ducts

carry sex cells and secretions

Testes

male gonads

scrotum

a sac suspended between the thighs containing the testes

Epididymis

A tightly coiled tube approximately 20 ft in length; located in the scrotum, above the testes

Vas deferens

recieves the sperm and fluid from the epididymis

Seminal vesicles

pouchlike tubes located behind the bladder and near the junction of the vas deferens

Ejaculatory ducts

short tubes formed by the union of the vas deferens and seminal vesicles

Prostate gland

doughnut-shaped gland located below the urinary bladder and on either side of the urethrra

Ccowper’s (bulbourethral) glands

two small glands located below the prostate and connected by small tubes to the urethra

Urethra

the tube that extends from the urinary bladder, through the penis, and to the outside of the body

Penis

the external male reproductive organ

Epididymitis

an inflammation of the epididymis

Orchitis

an inflammation of the testes

Prostatic hypertrophy and cancer

an enlargement of the prostate gland

Testicular cancer

a highly malignant form of cancer that can metastasize, or spread, rapidly

Ovaries

the female gonads

Fallopian tubes

two tubes attached to the upper part of the uterus; passageway for the ovum from the ovum and a sperm to create a new life

fertilization

the union of the ovum and a sperm to create a new life

Uterus

a hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ located behind the urinary bladder and infront of the rectum

organ of menustration

allows for the growth and development of fetus

contract to aid in expulsion of fetus during birth

Endometrium

Inner layer of uterus; provides for implantation of a fertilized ovum and AIDS in the development of the fetus

Vagina

a muscular tube that connects the cervix of the uterus to the outside of the body

Bartholin’s glands

vestibular glands; two small glands located one on each side of the vaginal opening; secrete mucus

vulva

the collective name for the structures that form the external female genital area

Labia majora

the two large, hair-coverd folds of fatty tissue; they enclose and protect the vagina

Labia minora

the two smaller hairless folds of tissue that are located within the labia majora

vestibule

the area of the vulva located inside the labia minora

Perineum

the area between the vagina and anus

Breasts

contain lobes separated into sections by connective and fatty tissue; main function is lactation

Breast tumors

symptoms include a lump or mass in the breast tissue, a change in breast size or shape, or a discharge from the nipple

Cervical or uterine cancer

most commonly caused by HPV; can be detected early by a Pap smear

Endometriosis

the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus

Ovarian cancer

one of the most common causes of cancer deaths in women; difficult to diagnose

Pelvic inflammatory disease

an inflammation of the cervix, the endometrium of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and at times, the ovaries

Premenstrual syndrome

a group of symptomes that appear 3-14 days before menustruation

sexually transmitted infections

affect both men and women

chlamydia

caused by several strains of the Chlamydia organism

gonorrhea

caused by the gonococcus bacterium neisseria gonorrhoeae

Herpes

a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus type II

Pubic lice

parasites

Syphilis

caused by a spirochete bacterium

Trichomoniasis

caused by a parasitic protozoan, Trichomonas vaginalis