A + P Reproductive System I Flashcards
sexual reproduction
process in which organisms produce offspring by means of germ cells called gametes
organs of reproduction are grouped as
gonads -produce gametes and secrete hormones gametes -sex cells ducts -transport, receive, and store gametes accessory sex glands -produce materials that support gametes supporting structures -necessary sex organs for intercourse
unique parts about the reproductive system
not very functional until puberty, when hormonal control takes over and activates it
doesn’t just serve the host; used to perpetuate the species
gonads
- male
- female
male
-testes
female
-ovaries
gametes
- male
- female
male
- spermatozoa (sperm cells)
- ova (egg cells)
ducts
- male
- female
male -epididymis -ductus (vas) deferens -urethra female -uterine (fallopian tube)
accessory glands
- male
- female
male -seminal vesicles -prostate gland -bulbourethral glands female -greater vestibular glands
supporting structures
- male
- female
male
-penis
female
-vagina
scrotum
a cutaneous sac that comes from the abdomen and base of the penis
supports both of the testes
scrotum
- division
- sperm
- -temp.
- -temp. regulation
- -cremaster
division
-vertical septum divides it into two sacs, each containing a single testicle
sperm
-reproduction and survival of sperm require a temperature that is 3 C lower than normal core body temperature
-temp regulated by the cremaster muscle
-cremaster muscle elevates them and brings them closer to the pelvic cavity or relaxes, causing the testes to move farther from the pelvic cavity
testes
- visual
- function
paired oval shaped glands (gonads) within the scrotum
function
-produce sperm and male sex hormones
spermatogenesis
the process by which seminiferous tubules inside the testes produce sperm
seminiferious tubule
- length
- number
30-70 cm long
about 500 tubules per testis (95% of testis volume)
sperm
- production rate
- development time
- maturation time
production -300 million per day development -takes about 64-72 days for each sperm to develop maturation -10-14 days in the epididymis
sperm
- function
- genetics
function
-fertilize a secondary oocyte
each gamete, sperm and ovum, carries half the genetic information needed to create a baby
sperm
-life expentancy
once ejaculated, sperm have a life expentancy of about 24-72 hours within the female reproductive tract
sperm
- ejaculation number
- how many reach the uterine tube
300-400 million sperm will be ejaculated
100-200 will reach the uterine tubes, but only one can fertilize the ovum
hormonal control of spermatogenesis and role of testosterone
at puberty much of this will begin
hypothalamus will increase the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
testosterone (produced in testes) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT; produced from testosterone)
GnRH
- stimulates
- -releases
stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release
- luteinizing hormone (LH)
- follicular stimulating hormone (FSH)
LH function
stimulates the testes to secrete the hormone testosterone
FSH
works with testosterone to create sperm
testosterone
-function
develop male reproductive systems, sexual characteristics, behavior, and function
contribute to spermatogenesis
stimulate muscle development
ducts
epididymis
ductus (vas) deferens
ejaculatory ducts
urethra
epididymis
- location
- function
single coiled duct (3-4 m long) outside the testis that serves as a place for sperm to mature, after which they are either expelled or degenerated
ductus (vas) deferens
-function
stores mature sperm and propels them toward the urethra during ejaculation
ejaculatory ducts
- location
- function
union of ducts for seminal vesicles and ductus (vas) deferens
eject sperm into the urethra
urethra
- location
- function
small tube that leads from the floor of the bladder to the external orifice of the glans penis
functions
-acts as a shared duct of the reproductive and urinary systems, serving as a passageway for semen and urine
urogenital diaphragm (or sphincter) function
closes off during ejaculation that prevents urine from passing into the urethra
accessory sex glands
- function
- structures
function -designed to help sperm survive and more structures -seminal vesicles -prostate -bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands
seminal vesicles
-function
secrete an alkaline, viscous fluid that contains fructose, protsaglandins, and clotting proteins
purpose of fluid in seminal vesicles
alkaline nature of fluid helps to neutralize acid in the male urethra and female reproductive tract
fructose is the ATP production by sperm - food for sperm
prostaglandins contribute to sperm motility and viability
proteins cause coagulation of semen after ejaculation
prostate purpose
secretes a milky, slightly acidic fluid that helps semen with ATP production, and helps semen coagulate and then break down
bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands
-function
secrete an alkaline fluid that neutralizes the acidic environment of the urethra and mucus that lubricates the lining of the urethra and the tip of the penis during sexual intercourse
semen (seminal fluid) composition
sperm
fluid from three accessory sex glands
-provides the fluid in which sperm are transported
-provides nutrients
-neutralizes the acidity of the male urethra and female vagina
penis
- function
- contains
- components
primary external male sex organ for intercourse
contains
-urethra - serves as a passageway for sperm and excretion of urine
reproductive purpose is to introduce sperm into the vagina
components
-root
-body
-glans penis
root
-function
connects to pelvis and has muscles that aid in ejaculation
body -tissue type -Corpora cavernosa function -corpus spongiosum function how is it stimulated
most erectile tissue connected to blood sinuses
corpora cavernosa (spongy hollow bodies) fill with blood during sexual arousal and result in an erecting
corpus spongiosum keeps the penile urethra open during arousal
PSNS dilates arteries to allow blood in and compresses veins to restrict blood from leaving allowing erecting to maintain
glans penis
-contains
contains the external urethral orifice (and foreskin, if present)
homeostatic imbalances of the male reproductive system
testicular cancer testicular torsion prostate disorders infertility vasectomy
testicular torsion
- originates
- most common
- early sign
- recommended
originates in sperm producing cells of the seminiferous tubules
most common in young men between 15-35 years old
early sign is a mass in the testis, often associated with pain or discomfort
recommended that all males regularly perform testicular self-exams, much like women do breast exams
testicular torsion
testicles fail to secure inside scrotum and can twist pinching blood vessels, can be very painful and even necessitate testicle removal
prostate disorders
acute prostatitis
chronic prostatitis
prostate cancer
acute prostatitis
prostate becomes swollen and tender due to bacterial infection
chronic prostatitis
one of the most common chronic infection sin men of middle and later years, and gland feels enlarged, soft, and very tender
prostate cancer
leading cause of cancer deaths in U.S. men
increased prostate specific antigen (PSA) suggests some sort of increased prostate activity, infection, benign enlargement, cancer, or irritation of some sort
infertility
inability to produce sperm due to injury, undescended testes, which all result in low sperm count or poor motility of sperm
vasectomy
method of birth control that involves cutting and cauterizing/tying off the ductus (vas) deferens
female reproductive system
- primary
- secondary
primary -ovaries (gonads) secondary -uterine tubes -uterus -vagina -vulva -mammary glands
ovaries
- visual
- function
paired glands (gonads) within the upper pelvic cavity on either side of the uterus function to produce ova and female sex hormones
oogenesis
- definition
- at birth
- until puberty
- puberty
formation and development of female gametes (oocytes) in the ovary
at birth, females may have 200,000 to 2 million primordial oocytes
-only 400 will ever mature
until puberty, primordial oocytes are basically inactive
puberty brings about development of a single to a few ova each month
uterine tubes
- functions
- how does the oocyte move?
functions
-transport oocytes and ova from the ovaries to the uterus
-normal sites of fertilization
ciliated cells and peristaltic contractions help move an oocyte toward the uterus
uterus
- visual
- functions
size and shape of an inverted pear functions -transportation of semen -implantation of a fertilized ovum -support and nourishment of a fetus during pregnancy -menstruation -labor
uterus
- at the base of the uterus
- secretion cells
- layers of the uterus
at the base of the uterus is the cervix (connects uterus to vagina)
secretion cells of the mucosa of the cervix produce a mucus that supplies energy to the sperm and help protect them from the hostile environment of the vagina and phagocytes-layers
-perimetrium
-myometrium
-endometrium
perimetrium
-tissue type
thin epithelial tissue and connective tissue
myometrium
- layers
- layer characteristics
three muscle layers
strong and used during labor, yet elastic enough to accommodate growth of the fetus
endometrium
-two layers
stratum functionalis -inner layer -shed during menstruation stratum basilis -outer layer -gives rise to a new stratum functionalis after each menstruation
vagina
- tissue characteristic
- functions
flexible (highly elastic) and strong
functions
-receives the penis and sperm during intercouse
-serves as a passageway for sperm and the menstrual flow
-forms the lower portion of the birth canal
mucosa
- visual
- function
deep folds of mucous membrane that line the vagina
give the vagina its elastic quality
hymen
-visual
small ring of vaginal mucosa that partially covers the vaginal oriface, which has an abundance of sensory nerve endings
vulva
- refers to
- structures
refers to external genitalia of the female structures -mons pubis -labia majora -labia minora -clitoris -urethral orifice -greater vestibular glands (Bartholin's glands)
mons pubis (mountain of pubis)
- tissue type
- location
adipose tissue
over the pubic symphisis covered with pubic hair
labia majora (outer lips)
- outer surface
- inner surface
outer surface covered with pubic hair
inner surface lubricates and protects vaginal opening
labia minora (inner lips)
- visual
- function
smooth hairless skin
protect internal vagina
clitoris
- female equivalent
- contains
female equivalent to the penis
contian erectile tissue that fills with blood during sexual arousal
urethral orifice
-function
where urine exits
greater vestibular glands (Bartholin’s glands)
-function
paired glands that lubricate vagina during sexual arousal
mammary glands (breasts)
- what are they
- location
- function
modifies sudoriferous (sweat) glands
lie over the pectoralis major and serratus anterior muscles
surrounded by fat
produce milk
mammary glands
-alveoli
milk-secreting cells
clustered in small compartments (lobules) within the breasts
each breast has a…
nipple
areola
nipple
- visual
- function
series of 15-20 small openings (lactiferous ducts) where milk is secreted or ejected
areola
- contains
- function
contains small glands, which keep the nipple moisturized during breastfeeding
essential functions of mammary glands
synthesis of and secretion of milk
constitutes lactation
leactation
- “let down”
- breast size
“let down” or secretion of milk is hormonally controlled by oxytocin from the pituitary gland and also controlled by the autonomic nervous system
breasts grow during pregnancy due to arganization of alveoli and lobules within the breasts (not actually from milk, although they do get full during nursing)
homeostatic imbalances of the female reproductive system
breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers premenstrual syndrome (PMS) amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea endometriosis ovarian cysts hysterectomy infertility tubal ligation
breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers
leading causes of death from cancer in the world among women
each is indicative of cancerous tissue growth in the respective anatomical area
premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
refers to severe physical and emotional distress that occurs during the postovulatory (luteal) phase of the female reproductive cycle
amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea
absence of, or pain associated with, menstruation
endometriosis
characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue outside th euterus
ovarian cysts
fluid-filled sacs that form on the ovaries when the follicles that contain the oocyte mature, but do not release the oocyte into the uterine tube
hysterectomy
refers to surgical removal of the uterus and is the most common gynecological operation sometimes complete (removal of cervix, ovaries, and uterine tubes) and sometimes they perform partials and leave the ovaries for hormonal reasons
infertility
inability to produce oocytes due to endometriosis, cancer, damage to the uterine tubes, low FSH levels, etc.
tubal ligation
a method of birth contral whereby the uterine tubes are clamped or severed to prevent ovum fertilization
woman can still produce ova and still retains the hormanal changes associated with periods following this procedure
