Exam 2 Flashcards
name the structures of the male reproductive system
testes
epididymis
penis
ducts and glands that produce and secrete semen
what makes up the contents of semen?
60% seminal vesicles
30% prostate
10% sperm (from? epididymis/testis)
trace mucus - bulbourethral gland
how does sperm flow through the male duct system?
seminiferous tubules epididymis vas deferens ejaculatory duct prostatic urethra membranous urethra penile urethra
how long do sperm take to mature in the epididymis?
approximately 20 days
describe the content of the seminal vesicles
produces viscous alkaline (female is acidic)
contains coagulating enzyme vesiculase (clotting)
describe the contents of the prostate gland
contains:
citrate
enzymes
prostatic-specific antigen/protein (PSA)
prostate gland problems
*benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH):
hypertrophy (enlargement) of the prostate gland; will affect nearly all males
*prostatis:
inflammation of the prostate; immune response to bacteria (often)
^^^both can lead to difficulty urinating/bladder infection/kidney damage^^^
*prostate cancer
primary risk factors for prostate cancer
high fatty diet
high testosterone
describe the vas deferens and ejaculatory duct relationship
vas deferens runs from the epididymis until it joins with the duct of the seminal vesicle to create the ejaculatory duct
the contents of the ejaculatory duct (10% sperm & 60% seminal vesicle) then join with the prostatic urethra (30%)
peristaltic smooth muscle contractions of the corpus spongiosus propel sperm from the epididymis to the penile urethra during ejaculation
vasectomy
cutting and ligating the vas deferens in the scrotum
describe the scrotum
sac of skin
superficial fascia
where testes are located
separates testes into individual components
describe the temperature requirements of the scrotum
for sperm production and viability, scrotum must be 3 degrees C lower than the core body temperature
temperature kept constant by 2 muscles: dartmos and cremaster
describe the dartmos and cremaster mucles
dartmos (involuntary control):
smooth muscle that wrinkles and relaxes scrotal skin
cremaster (volunatory control):
bands of skeletal muscle that elevate or descend (jump) testes
describe the blood supply of the testis
pampiniform plexus - network of vessels that enclose the artery and absorb the excess heat (another way of cooling)
spermatic cord
encloses branches of the autonomic nervous system, blood vessels, and lymphatics that supply the testes
cryptorchidism
failure of the testes to descend (most important risk factor for testicular cancer & inadequate or nonviable sperm will be produced)
describe erections and ejaculations
erection - parasympathetic nervous system reflex
ejaculation - sympathetic nervous system reflex
nitric oxide (NO)
neurotransmitter responsible for the dilation of blood vessels causing the vascular spaces of erectile tissue to fill with blood
also stimulates the bulbourethral glands to release their fluid, cleansing the passageway of the semen
describe spermatogenesis
begins at puberty
produces sperm from seminiferous tubules of the testes through a series of events:
- mitosis - spermatagonia (sperm stem cell) form Type A & Type B
- meiosis - Type B become spermatocytes to form spermatids
- one spermatagonium becomes 4 spermatozoa through Meisos 1 & 2
- spermiogenesis - (late in spermatogenesis) spermatids lose excess cytoplasm and form a tail; become spermatozoa (sperm)
immature cells begin as diploid (2n) but become haploid (n) when mature
how are male and female sex cells divided?
by Meiosis 1 and Meiosis 2
describe oogenesis
production of female gametes
begins in fetal period (females born with finite number of eggs)
primary oocytes begin meiosis but stall in Prophase 1 until puberty
each month after puberty, one primary oocyte per month completes meiosis 1 and produces 2 haploid cells
spermatogenesis v oogenesis
spermatogenesis produces 4 mature sperm from one spermatagonium
oogenesis produces 1 mature egg and 3 polar bodies
name and describe the major regions of sperm
head (genetic region) - contains nucleus and helmet-like acrosome containing hydrolytic enzymes that enable the sperm to penetrate the egg
midpiece (metabolic region) - contains mitochondria
tail (locomotor region) - for “swimming”
describe seritoli cells
tight junctions form the blood-testis barrier
prevents sperm antigens from entering blood where they could activate immune system
since sperm isn’t made until after puberty (after immune system is formed) their presence could be recognized as foreign
describe the internal structures of the penis
corpus spongiosum - surround urethra and expands to form glans penis; keeps urethra open during erection
corpus cavernosa - on dorsal side
priapism
persistent abnormal erection (4+ hours)
erection
enlargement and stiffening of the penis from engorgement of erectile tissue with blood
LH stimulation and men
stimulates Interstitial Cells of Leydig of the testes to produce testosterone
FSH stimulation and men
stimulates the Seminiferous Tubules of testes to produce sperm
**a decrease in release may result in a man being sterile (produce no sperm or an inadequate amount)
effects of testosterone
prompts spermatogenesis
targets all accessory organs; deficiency leads to atrophy
basis of sex drive (libido) in males
secondary sex characteristic
pubic, axillary, facial hair
growth of chest width and deepening of voice
increase growth and density of bones and muscles
male: scrotum
female:
labia majora
male: penis
female:
clitoris
male: bulbourethral glands
female:
greater vestibular glands
describe the role of the uterine tubes
aka fallopian tubes or oviducts
carries ovulated oocyte from the ovaries to the uterus (oocyte is carried along by peristalsis and ciliary action)
name and describe the regions of the uterine tubes
infundibulum (with ciliated fimbriae; funnel shaped region near the ovary) - creates currents to move ooctye into uterine tube
ampulla (expanded area) - usual site of fertilization
isthmus - constricted region joining the uterus
describe the uterus
main function: receiving, retaining, implantation, and nourishment of the fertilized ovum
consists of body, fundus, and isthmus
describe the cervix
separates the uterus from the vagina
cervical glands secrete mucus
prevents spread of bacteria from vagina to uterus
blocks sperm entry, except during midcycle when mucus becomes less viscous and allows sperm to pass through
name and describe the layers of the uterine wall
perimetrium (outermost) - serous membrane layer
myometrium - layers of smooth muscle; contracts during menses and parturition (birthing)
endometrium (deepest) - mucosal lining; divided into stratum functionalis and stratum basalis
describe the 2 layers of the endometrium
stratum functionalis (functional)
sheds during menstruation
spasm of spiral arteries leads to menstruation
deepest; responds to hormones (estrogen and progesterone)
stratum basalis (basal) * forms new functionalis after menstruation*
cervical cancer
80% of cases caused by HPV (human papillomavirus) *Gardisil
can be detected by a pap smear
endometrius
inflamed endometrium
growth of endometrial cells on ovaries
aka pelvic inflammatory disease?
ectopic pregnancy
implantation of fertilized egg in fallopian tube or peritoneum (instead of ampulla)
mammary glands
modified sweat glands (male and female)
sentinel nodes
(pertaining to breast cancer)
first lymph node(s) draining and spreading a cancer
breast cancer
usually arises from epithelial cells of the DUCTS
70% of women with breast cancer have no known risk factors
what causes menstruation to occur?
blood levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease
ovulation does or does not always occur 14 days after the beginning of menstruation
does not
describe the effects of estrogen
promotes oogenesis
exerts growth on female reproductive tract
supports growth spurts and epiphyseal closure
secondary sex characteristics: breast growth, increased deposit of subcutaneous fat (breasts and hips), widening/lightening of pelvis for birth
metabolic effects: maintain low blood cholesterol and increase Ca intake
describe the effects of progesterone
works with estrogen to establish and regulate the uterine cycle
maintains uterus during pregnancy
prepares breast for lactation
describe the 2 phases of the ovarian cycle
Follicular phase (days 1-14): late secondary follicle becomes a graffian follicle and is ready for ovulation
- ovulation occurs around day 14 due to surge of LH*
- produces inhibin (inhibts FSH/LH release & additional follicle development), estrogen and progesterone*
Luteal phase (days 14-28): ruptured follicle collapses to form the corpus luteum: luteum secretes estrogen & progestrone If not pregnant, corpus luteum degenerates in 10 days leaving a scar (corpus albicans); If pregnant, corpus luteum produces hormones until the placenta takes over at 3 months
describe ovulation
occurs as the secondary oocyte is expelled from the ovary
if two oocytes are expelled: fraternal twins
one fertilized cell splits in 2: identical twins
describe the corpus luteum
“yellow body” within the ovary
the ruptured follicle following the ejection of an oocyte
IF FERTILIZATION OCCURS it produces estrogen and progesterone for 3 months before the placenta takes over; embryo release hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) (chemical tested for in pregnancy tests) to keep the corpus lutem around
describe the 3 phases of the uterine/menstrual cycle
menstrual phase (days 1-5): shed stratum functionalis; menstrual flow begins; lowest hormones
proliferative phase (days 6-14): stratum basalis layer rebuilds stratum functionalis (estrogen increases)
secretory phase (days 15-28): progesterone increases; further development of the endometrium
estrogen builds & progesterone maintains/prepares
FSH stimulation and women
controls development of the egg within the follicle of the ovary
How long is sperm viable within the female reproductive tract?
approximately 5 days
How long is an egg viable after ovulation?
12-24 hours
zygote
first cell formed following fertilization
fertilization
when a sperm fuses with an egg to form a zygote
how long does pregnancy last
9 months/280 days
surfactant
lipoprotein produced by cells of the lungs; needed to be able to breathe
conceptus
the developing offspring
embryo: conception through week 8
fetus: week 9 through birth
gestation period
from the last menstrual period until birth
capacitation
membranes become fragile so that the acrosomes can release enzymes to digest outer layer of the oocyte (typically takes 2-10 hours)
When does implantation of the embryo into the endometrium of the uterus occur?
occurs 7 days after ovulation
trophoblasts
adhere to endometrium and digests its cells until it is securely attached; implantation is completed by the 12th day after ovulation
these cells of the embryo secrete hCG for 3 months until
trophoblast cells become the placenta
