anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system Flashcards
what is the function if the human reproductive system?
to produce offspring
what do gonands produce?
gametes
what do ducts do?
transport and store gametes
what do accessory glands do?
support gametes
what is a gonad and its function?
produces gametes( germ cell either male or female , unites with a gamete of opposite sex to produce a fertilized egg cell
what shape are testes and its function?
paired oval-shaped glands produce sperm for fertilizing the female egg
what are the 2 muscles are scrotum has?
Scrotum-suspended outside of the body by this. It has 2 muscles:
1.dartos muscle- smooth muscle -contracts to decrease the surface area in order to decrease heat loss
2.cremaster muscle-skeletal muscle-contracts to elevate the testes during sexual arousal or exposure to cold temperatures
what are ovaries and their function?
paired almond-shaped glands produce egg for fertilization
what is the function of pelvis?
houses the organs of reproduction in the female and fetus has to pass through this during labour
what is the structure of pelvis?
Composed of different bones.
-pelvic bones form an inlet superiorly and an outlet inferiorly.
what 2 structures does the male reproductive system have?
1.external:penis and testes (within the scrotal sac)
2.internal:various ducts and glands. Internal structures pass through the inguinal canal.
what is the female reproductive system?
complex system that produces gametes + prepares body for pregnancy on average 28-day cycle
what is the function of female reproductive system?
ovaries release female gametes while the vagina, uterus, oviducts are accessory organs. These structures receive + transport male gametes and house and nourish and protect developing offspring during pregnancy on average 28-day cycle.
what is the function of specialised gland in male reproductive system?
help clean urethra to prepare for ejaculation through penis.
what are the 3 functions of male reproduction?
1.produce, maintain +transport sperm
2.deposit sperm+ seminal fluid in the female reproductive tract during sexual intercourse
3. produce and secrete the hormone testosterone
what site are the two testes at?
site of spermatogenesis(sperm production)
what is the testicular artery?
originates from abdominal)-blood supply for testes
what is the scrotum?
sac of tissue surrounding two testicles
what is epididymis?
larger tube where sperm cells are stored + undergo final stages of maturation become mobile prior to ejaculation.
what is the structure of epididymis?
continuous tube that coils and winds multiple times within the scrotum.
what are the 4 anatomical regions in the epididymis?
-pseudostratified columnar epithelium: absorbs excess fluid, secretes substances that nourish sperm + perform phagocytosis to remove debris from lumen of epididymis.
-tunica albuginea: dense connective tissue that contains and protects the testicle
-tunica vaginalis-layer of serous membrane -produces fluid to help reduce friction of testicle within scrotal sac.
what is the two ductus( vas deferens)?
allow sperm to be transported from testes to ejaculatory ducts.
function of the vas deferens?
Each ductus passes through prostate gland -additional secretions from seminal vesicles , added to sperm before it leaves body via urethra
what is the lamina propria?
connective tissue helps support epithelium -contains elastic fibres.
what is the sterocilia?
non-motile. Increase surface area help reabsorb large amount of fluid produced to transport young sperm -not yet able to propel themselves.
what are the seminal glands?
tow simple tubular glands-secrete fluid which contribute to semen
what is the bulbourethral(cowpers gland)
2 small exocrine glands -produce pre- ejaculate -helps neutralize acidity of urethra before sperm passed through during ejaculation
what is the prostate gland?
walnut shaped gland-secretes fluid which nourishes + protects sperm
the prostate gland contains leydig cells what is their function?
Leydig cells-produce + release testosterone , male sex hormone
what are the Sertoli cells?
these cells are epithelial supporting cells which line the seminiferous tubules
what is the function of Sertoli cells?
have a supportive and nutritive function-surround and support develop sperm cells provide nutrient to cells and phagocytize debris
what is the structure of Sertoli cells?
connected by each other to tight junctions which create a seal to divide the seminiferous tubule into separate basal and luminal compartments
the Sertoli cells have a seal?
the seal is a blood testicle barrier which stops large molecules from between 2 compartments
what is the structure of testes:seminiferous tubules?
tightly coiled tubes
testes: seminiferous tubules function?
sperm cells undergo mitotic division and differention
how is the ductus deferens formed?
Newly formed sperm move through straight tubules to rete testis which lead to epididymis. As they pass through the tightly coiled epididymis. Tail end of epididymis becomes less convoluted and becomes ductus deferens
penis structure?
cylindrical shaped mass of erectile tissue surrounded by fibrous tissue called tunica albuginea.
what happens in the penis during sexual arousal?
- permeated blood tissue( corpus spongiosum and paired corpus cavernosum) fill with blood from deep artery to produce an erection
what is the penile(spongy) urethra?
serves a passageway for sperm ejaculation + urine excretion
what is the dorsal nerve?
accompanies a neurovascular bundle located superior to corpus spongiosum and corpus cavernosum.
what are the accessory glands:accessory sex glands?
secretes fluid that contribute to volume of semen
what do the seminal vesicles neutralize?
neutralise acid in female reproductive tract
what does the prostate gland do in male reproductive system
nourishes sperm
in the female reproductive system, what do the primary sex organs do?
produce gametes (oocytes in females + spermatozoa in males
what is oogenesis?
occurs in the 2 ovaries, connected to uterus but uterine(fallopian) tubes
in oogenesis, what do secondary sex organs do?
support gametes in growth and maturation and growth + development of offspring
what 2 secondary sex organs are in female?
1.uterus
2.breasts
what are the functions of hormones produced by ovary’s role?
control thickness of endometrium in uterus
what is the function of uterus?
provides a space for one or more fertilized eggs to develop into a fetus. It is lined by an endometrium that is replaced during month-long uterine cycle.
location of cervix
bottom of uterus and above vagina
what happens during pregnancy in cervix?
develop a thick mucus plug -protect developing fetus from the outside environment.
what is the function of vagina?
provides passageway between uterus + outside environment -allows sexual intercourse and birth
what is function of mammary gland(also called breasts)?
-under hormonal control, function-produce milk for young offspring(lactation)
what is the function of ovarian ligaments?
tethers ovary to uterus within the pelvis
what is the broad ligament ?
system draped in sheet of connective tissue -part ofperitoneum that anchors the uterus to the pelvis
what is the function of 2 uterine(fallopian) tubes?
provide a passageway for oocytes(eggs)from ovaries into uterine (fallopian) tubes.
how can ectopic pregnancy occur?
if fertilised oocyte does not reach uterus
what is the goal of oogenesis?
prepare the uterus to receive a female gamete to be fertilized by male gamete. Absence of fertilization and pregnancy, menstruation takes place.
what happens in the ovarian cycle?
causes the oocyte to mature within a protective called a follicle
what are the 4 stages of the ovarian cycle?
1.follicular phase
2.ovulation
3.luteal phase
4. mensuration
in the ovarian cycle, what happens during follicular phase(0-3) days
ovarian cycle regulated by hormones produced in hypothalamus(GnRH) + anterior pituitary gland(FSH and LH)
one primary oocyte is released during ovulation -every 28 days- goes through series of growth phases until it becomes a fluid-filled vesicular( Graffian) follicle
in the ovarian cycle, what happens during ovulation(day 14)?
vesicular follicle erupts to release the oocyte into abdominal cavity to be picked up by fimbriae and guided into uterine( fallopian) tube
in the ovarian cycle, what happens during luteal phase(15-28)?
ovulated(empty) follicle transforms into corpus luteum- temporary endocrine gland
in the ovarian cycle, what happens during mensuration ?
corpus luteum(secretes progesterone) deteriorates into scare of dense connective tissue called corpus albicans
what are the 2 things that happen in uterus(womb)?
1.site for mensuration, implantation of fertilized ovum
2. development of the fetus during pregnancy.
what 3 divisions is the uterus divided in?
1.fundus
2.body
3. cervix
what is the endometrium and what are the 3 things it undergoes?
mucosal tissue which undergoes:
1 cyclical shedding, 2.regeneration 3.differentiation.
what is the myometrium?
layer of contractile smooth muscle
in the myometrium, what does the rectouterine pouch do?
deepest part of peritoneal cavity-where blood or fluid from pelvic bleeding or infection would ordinarily collect
in the myometrium, what do ovaries do?
oocyte expelled into peritoneal cavity are taken up by the oviduct .
in the myometrium, what do fimbriae do?
finger like projections at end of infundibulum help grab onto oocyte and send it down the oviduct. Fertilization takes place in ampulla. Takes 96 hours before fertilized embryo reaches uterus implantation
in the myometrium what does vulva do?
refers to external female genitalia. Vagina serves as passageway to receive sperm during sexual intercourse. Vagina-exit point for menstrual flow + babies
what is the location of the vulva?
between urinary bladder + rectum.
the vulva includes the clitoris, what is the function of it?
hooded by prepuce of clitoris , is homologous to male penis + is capable of enlargement when stimulated
what are the 2 labias in the vulva?
-labia majora- 2 folds of skin that support + protect female reproductive structures.
-labia minora-2 smaller folds of skin deep to labia majora.
hymen
thin membranous layer that surround the vaginal orifice
in the mammary glands what happens in female breasts?
modified sweat glands that produce milk. Nipple-contains opening excrete milk during suckling by an infant. Little bumps on areola- guide infants’ mouth toward the nipple.
what happens in suspensory ligaments?
surround breast for support + become looser with age or from running or high impact sports
in oogenesis, what do oocytes(egg) do?
larger round light staining cell within the ovarian follicle. Protected by layer granulosa cells called corona radiata-push fluid filled antrum of follicle
what are granulosa cell?
form protective sphere around oocyte+ form epithelium (lining) ovarian follicle.
what is antrum?
fluid filled chamber within ovarian follicle
what are the two layers of cells outside the follicle ?
theca interna + theca externa
what layers are in theca internal and theca externa?
1.Inner layer produces steroids
2.external layer-more fibrous + blends into surrounding tissue
what is the endometrium regulated by ?
by hormones produced by pituitary gland(FSH + LH) and ovarian follicles ( estrogens + progesterone
what 3 phases are included in the uterine cycle?
1.menstrual phase(1-5)
2.proliferative phase
3. secretory phase
in the uterine cycle, what happens in the menstrual phase?
Endometrium- during menstruation , stratum functionalis and endometrial epithelium are both shed from uterus
what is stratum basalis?
basal layer of endometrium. Layer is retained at mensuration
what happens in the proliferative phase?
swelling of the stratum functionale in preparation for potential fertilization of the female gamete
what happens in early secretory phase(15-21)?
shredding of stratum functionale
what does stratum functional do?
functional layer of endometrium- shed at menstruation + regenerated in new cycle
what is a endometrial gland?
basal portion of gland protected within the stratum basalis( basal layer) of endometrium.
what are endometrial glands ?
tubular shaped of gland becomes elongate as the phase advances
what is endometrial stroma?
made of connective and vascular tissue between endometrial glands
late secretory phase(21-28
what is endometrial gland?
basal(base) portion of the gland is protected within the stratum basalis(basal layer) of the endometrium- they are more wider(dilated) and more coiled
why does the tissue transforms in the endometrial stroma?
tissue transforms in response to ovarian progesterone with the process initiating in stroma cells surround the blood vessels
function of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis
hormonal control of gametogenesis + uterine cycle depends upon signalling pathways of hypothalamus, pituitary glands and gonands
what is function of Gonadotrophin releasing hormone(GnRH?
secreted in pulsatile fashion from hypothalamus + stimulates pituitary gland
what is the function of follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) and luteinising hormone(LH?
secreted from pituitary gland and act on ovary
what 2 hormones are secreted from pituitary gland?
1.FSH
2.LH
Follcle-stimulating hormone(FSH) function
acts on Sertoli cells to initiate support spermatogenesis
Lutensing hormone function
acts on Leydig cells of testis to stimulate
which hormone acts on pituitary gland and what does it stimulate?
Gonadotrophin releasing hormone(GnRH)- acts on pituitary gland stimulating FSH and LH production
what happens during progesterone -negative feedback?
hypothalamus decreases the secretion of GnRH.
what does the hormone LH act on?
theca and later granulosa
what does the cell leygid cell produce?
testosterone in response to pituitary LH
what secretes progesterone?
luteinised granulosa + theca cells
what is oestrogen produced by?
ovarian granulosa cells in growing follicle
what does action-positive feedback do ?
promote FSH secretion from pituitary gland
how will high levels of oestrogen do on positive feedback?
on FSH +LH results in LH surge leading to ovulation
