Ch. 19 Reproductive Systems Flashcards
T/F: The reproductive system is the only body system a person needs to survive.
- False
- The Reproductive system is the only body system a person does not need to survive
The reproductive system develops and maintains organs for production of
offspring
Gonads:
Reproductive organs
Female gonads:
Ovaries
Male gonads:
Testes
Gametes:
Reproductive/sex cells
Female gametes:
Oocytes
Male gametes:
Sperm
The primary gonad of the male:
Testes
Testes produce:
Sperm and male sex hormones— Testosterone
The accessory/secondary gonads of the male:
- Accessory ducts:
- Seminiferous tubule
- Epididymis
- Vas deferens
- Ejaculating duct
- Urethra
- Accessory glands: Secretion of these glands forms a liquid portion of semen
- Seminal vesicle
- Prostate gland
- Bulbourethral glands
The accessory ducts of the male:
- Seminiferous tubule
- Epididymis
- Vas deferens
- Ejaculating duct
- Urethra
The accessory glands of the male:
- Seminal vesicle
- Prostate gland
- Bulbourethral gland
Secretion of these glands forms a liquid portion of semen
The testes have (1) ______ structures suspended by (2) _______ _________ outside trunk in a sac, called the (3) ________
(1) ovoid
(2) spermatic cord
(3) scrotum
The spermatic cord of the testes contain:
- (1) Cremaster muscle
- (2) Ductus (Vas) deferens
- (3) Testicular artery (Gonadal artery)
- (4) Lymphatic vessels
- (5) Pampiniform plexus of the testicular veins
Structure of the testes:
- Each testis consists of 250 lobules separated by connective tissue septa
- Each lobule holds 1 to 4 coiled seminiferous tubules
- Seminiferous tubules are lined with stratified epithelium that contain spermatogenic cells that give rise to sperm cells
- Channels leading from the seminiferous tubules carry sperm to the epididymis, which continues into the vas/ductus deferenes
- Interstitial cells (cells of Leydig) lie between the seminiferous tubules and produce the male sex hormones—testosterone
Male internal accessory organs:
- Each testis is associated with:
- (1) An epididymis
- (2) A ductus (vas) deferens
- (3) A seminal vesicle
- Other accessory organs:
- (4) Prostate gland
- (5) Bulbourethral glands
Male internal accessory organs nurture and transport the:
sperm cells
Secretion of these glands forms a liquid portion of semen:
- Seminal vesicle
- Prostate gland
- Bulbourethral glands
Epididymis:
- Tightly coiled tube connected to the testis, leading from the testis to the ductus (vas) deferens
- Superior part of the testis, descends to the bottom, then starts upward as it becomes the ductus (vas) deferens
- Site of sperm maturation (Produced in testes, matured in epididymus)
- Sperm become motile and develop the ability to fertilize an egg
Epididymis: (Function)
- Promotes sperm cell maturation; stores sperm cells;
conveys sperm cells to ductus (vas) deferens
Ductus (Vas) deferens:
- Muscular tube, 45 cm in length, leading from epididymis into body cavity
- Unites with the seminal vesicle duct, and empties into the ejaculatory duct
- Ejaculatory duct travels through prostate gland, and empties its contents into the urethra
Ductus (Vas) deferens: (Function)
- Conveys sperm cells to ejaculatory duct
Seminal vesicles:
- Paired glands
- Encapsulated
- Convoluted— Twisted
- Posterior to bladder
- Superior to prostate
- Between the urinary bladder and rectum
- Seminal vesicle duct joins vas/ductus deferens to form ejaculatory duct
- 2 Ejaculatory ducts empty into the prostate urethra
Seminal vesicles: (Function)
- Secretes an alkaline fluid containing nutrients and
prostaglandins that helps regulate pH of semen
Prostate gland:
- Retroperitoneal
- Bordered by:
- Anteriorly: Pubic bone
- Posteriorly: Rectum
- Superiorly: Urinary bladder
- Inferiorly: Urogenital diaphragm
- Apex: Inferior portion of the gland
- Base: Superior portion of the gland
- Ejaculatory ducts: Duct passes through prostate gland and empties into urethra, Originates from the combination of the vas deference and the seminal vesicle
Prostate gland: (Function)
- Secretes a fluid that contains citrate, a nutrient for sperm
Ejaculatory ducts: Duct passes through (1) ____ ____ and empties into (2) ____, Originates from the combination of the (3) ____ ____ and the (4) ____ ____
(1) prostate gland
(2) urethra
(3) vas deference
(4) seminal vesicle
The bulbourethral glands are small glands located inferior to (1) ____ ____
(1) prostate gland
Bulbourethral glands: (Function)
- Secretes fluid that lubricates end of penis
Semen: Reproductive fluid transported through the (1) ____ to the outside of the body during (2) ____
(1) urethra
(2) ejaculation
Semen: Contains sperm cells (120 million per milliliter) and the secretions of the:
- Seminal vesicle
- Prostate gland
- Bulbourethral glands
Sperm cells cannot fertilize an egg until they undergo a process called (1) ____ within the female reproductive tract; this involves weakening of the acrosomal membrane of the sperm
(1) capacitation
Male external reproductive organs:
- Scrotum, which houses the testes, and the penis
Scrotum:
- A pouch of skin and subcutaneous tissue that houses the testes
- Suspended from the lower abdomen, posterior to the penis
- Protects and helps regulate the temperature of the testes
- Sperm production needs temperature 5°F cooler than core
Penis:
- Root: Proximal portion of the penis
- Body: Composed of 3 masses of erectile tissue
- 2 Dorsolateral corpora cavernosa
- 1 Midventral corpus spongiosum
- Glans: Distal, enlarged acorn shape portion of the penis
Scrotum: (Function)
- Encloses, protects, and regulates temperature of testes
Penis: (Function)
Conveys urine and semen to outside of body; inserted
into vagina during sexual intercourse; the glans penis is
richly supplied with sensory nerve endings associated
with feelings of pleasure during sexual stimulation
Structure of the sperm cell:
- Head
- Midpiece (body)
- Flagellum (tail)
The head of the sperm contains:
- 23 pairs of chromosomes— Haploid
- Acrosome— Digests cell membrane surrounding the female’s egg cell
The midpiece/body of the sperm contains:
- Mitochondria which produces ATP
- A lot of energy is needed to travel from the testes to the fallopian tube
The flagellum/tail of the sperm:
- Whip-like structure which functions in locomotion
- Provides lashing movements to propel the sperm through fluids, toward egg
Male reproductive function is controlled by hormones secreted by the:
- Hypothalamus— (GnRH) Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
- Anterior pituitary— (LH) Luteinizing hormone, (FSH) Follicle-stimulating hormone
- Testes— Testosterone
Hormones of the male reproductive system control:
- Development and maintenance of secondary sexual characteristics
- Sperm cell production
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) function:
- Stimulates the testes to produce sperm
Luteinizing hormone (LH) function:
- Stimulate the cells in the testes to produce testosterone
Hormonal Control of Male Reproductive Functions
- At puberty, the hypothalamus releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) which stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) circulate in the blood and act on the testes to release androgens (primarily testosterone)
- Help develop secondary sex characteristics and increase the production of sperm
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) affect the male (testes) and female (ovaries) gonads
- In males, LH is also known as interstitial-cell stimulating hormone (ICSH)
The primary gonad of the female:
Ovaries
Ovaries produce:
Oocytes and female sex hormones– Estrogen and progesterone
Female reproductive organs perform the following functions:
- Produce and maintain sex cells (egg cells, oocytes)
- Transport these cells to the site of fertilization
- Provide environment for a developing fetus
- Labor and delivery
- Produce female sex hormones
- Primary sex organs (gonads) are the ovaries, which produce the sex cells and hormones
- Secondary (accessory) sex organs consist of the external and internal reproductive organs
Ovary Structure:
- Ovaries are lateral to the uterus
- Solid, ovoid structures located within the lateral wall of the pelvic cavity
The ovaries are subdivided into an:
inner medulla and an outer cortex
Inner medulla of the ovary is made up of:
connective tissue, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves
Outer cortex of the ovary contains:
ovarian follicles and is covered by cuboidal epithelium
The female internal accessory organs consist of:
- (1) Uterine tubes/Fallopian tubes):
- (2) Uterus
- (3) Vagina
The uterus is attached to the (1) ____ ____ by a (2) ____ ____
(1) pelvic bone
(2) broad ligament
Broad ligament— Contains the blood vessels to the (1) ____, (2) ____, (3) _____
(1) ovaries
(2) fallopian tubes
(3) uterus
The broad ligament is
- Attached to the (1) ____
- Suspended in the (2) ____ ____
- Supported by the (3) ____
(1) pelvis
(2) pelvic area
(3) ligaments
The broad ligament is
- Attached to the (1) ____
- Suspended in the (2) ____ ____
- Supported by the (3) ____
(1) pelvis
(2) pelvic area
(3) ligaments
Uterine/Fallopian tube lead from the (1) ____ to the (2) ____
(1) ovary
(2) uterus
Uterine/Fallopian tube: (Function)
Conveys secondary oocyte toward uterus; site of fertilization; conveys developing embryo to uterus
Parts of the fallopian tube:
- (1) Infundibulum— Have fingerlike fimbriae— trumpet part
- (2) Ampulla— Where fertilization takes place
- (3) Isthmus— Narrow part (Thyroid)
- (4) Interstitial or Mural part— Enters into the wall of the uterus
Uterus is medial to the (1) ____ and (2) ____ ____
(1) ovaries
(2) fallopian tube
The uterus subdivides into three segments:
- Fundus (top)
- Body (middle)
- Cervix (bottom)
The uterine wall has three layers:
- Endometrium
- Myometrium
- Perimetrium
(Layer of the uterine wall) An inner, glandular endometrium—
Sheds during menstrual cycle and regenerates because of the influence of estrogen and progesterone making it thicker to receive the embryo
(Layer of the uterine wall) A muscular wall or myometrium—
Thickest layer
(Layer of the uterine wall) An outer perimetrium—
Around the uterus
Uterus: (Function)
Receives embryo from fallopian tube, and protects and sustains embryo during pregnancy
A thin piece of tissue located at the opening of the vagina
Hymen– Covers part of vaginal orifice
Vagina: (Function)
Conveys uterine secretions, receives the penis during sexual intercourse, and serves as (birth canal) passageway for birth
The female external accessory organs consist of:
- [Labia: Lips]
- (1) Labia majora
- (2) Labia minora
- (3) Clitoris
- (4) Vestibular glands
The clitoris contains columns of
erectile tissue
Labia majora: (Function)
Enclose and protect other external reproductive organs
Labia minora: (Function)
Form margins of vestibule; protect openings of vagina and urethra
Vestibular glands: (Function)
Secrete fluid that moistens and lubricates vestibule– Space between labia minora that contains vaginal and urethral openings
Ovulation:
process of releasing the secondary oocyte and polar body from the Graafian follicle and the surface of the ovary
Female sex hormones:
- Hormones secreted by the hypothalamus—GnRH, the anterior pituitary—LH and FSH, and ovaries—Hormones: Estrogen and progesterone control female reproduction, maturation of sex cells, and development of secondary sexual characteristics
The menstrual cycle phases:
- Ovarian phase
- Uterine phase
The ovarian phase of the menstrual cycle causes changes in the
ovary
The uterine phase of the menstrual cycle causes changes in the
uterus
Follicular phase (Ovarian phase)
- When FSH from APG and starts growing the follicle— Developing antral follicle to Graafian follicle
Ovulation (Ovarian phase)
- When one of the follicles increase in size—Graafian follicle, LH will ruptures it, egg is separated and the remaining portion in the ovary is the corpus luteum
Luteal phase (Ovarian phase)
- If pregnancy occur, remains alive and estrogen and progesterone will continue to release until the baby grows
- If pregnancy does not occur, the degenerating corpus luteum will become the corpus albicans
Menstrual phase (Uterine phase)
- When a female menstruates, estrogen and progesterone is not released and the endometrium will shed
Proliferative phase (Uterine phase)
- Increase in size because the effect of estrogen
Secretory phase (Uterine phase)
- As soon as the egg is released, progesterone from the corpus luteum causes the endometrium to become more vascular to secrete nutrients for a possible embryo
Last Menstrual Period (LMP)—
1st day of the last menstrual period
Major events in a menstrual cycle:
- The anterior pituitary gland secretes follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
- FSH stimulates maturation of a dominant follicle—Graafian follicle.
- Follicular cells produce and secrete estrogens.
1. Estrogens maintain secondary sex characteristics.
2. Estrogens cause the endometrium to thicken. - The anterior pituitary releases a surge of LH, which leads to ovulation.
- Follicular cells become corpus luteum cells, which secrete estrogens and progesterone.
1. Estrogens continue to stimulate uterine wall development.
2. Progesterone stimulates the endometrium to become more glandular and
vascular.
3. Estrogens and progesterone inhibit the secretion of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary gland. - If the secondary oocyte is not fertilized, the corpus luteum degenerates and no longer secretes estrogens and progesterone.
- As the concentrations of estrogens and progesterone decline, blood vessels in the endometrium constrict.
- The uterine lining disintegrates and sloughs off, producing a menstrual flow.
- The anterior pituitary gland is no longer inhibited and again secretes FSH and LH.
- The menstrual cycle repeats.
Menopause (female climacteric):
- Occurs in late 40s or early 50s
- Ovaries begin producing less estrogen and progesterone
- Reproductive cycles become less regular and predictable
- Eventually the cycles completely stop- Declining estrogen and progesterone change female secondary sexual characteristics: shrinkage of uterus, breasts—No glands or fat (not shrinkage), uterine tubes, and vagina, and thinning of pubic and axillary hair
Mammary glands—
Modified sweat gland
Birth control requires the use of contraception to:
- Avoid ovulation
