Female-Male Reproductive system Flashcards
What is Gamete?
A cell that fuses with another during fertilisation
Gametes carry half the genetic information of an individual
Sperm cell
Ovum
The female Reproductive system Consists of…
2 ovaries
2 uterine(fallopian) tubes
The uterus
The cervix
The vagina
The external genitalia
2 breasts
Female Reproductive Functions
The intermittent production of ova (oogenesis)
Reception of sperm
Transport of sperm & ovum to a common site for fertilisation or conception)
Maintenance of the developing fetus until it can survive in the outside world (pregnancy)
Giving birth to the baby (parturition)
Nourishing the infant after birth (lactation)
Ligament attachments for the female reproductive system
Ovarian ligament
Suspensory ligament
Round ligament
broad ligament
The ovaries, structure, appearance, what is near it and ligaments
Dull –white almond shaped bodies.
Approx 4cm long.
Lie posteriorly and laterally relative to the uterus and below the uterine tubes.
Anchored by the ovarian ligaments.
Attached to the posterior layer of the broad ligament.
The function of the ovaries
They produce oocytes (ovum) for fertilisation
They produce the sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.
Female Sex Hormones and their function
Oestrogen is involved in puberty:
- Breast growth,
- Accumulate body fat around the hips and thighs, and will have a growth spurt.
Oestrogen and progesterone are also involved in:
- Regulation of a female’s menstrual cycles
- Pregnancy.
Gonadotropin Hormones and their function
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is a hormone produced by anterior pituitary gland.
In women, the release of FSH causes the immature follicles to grow in the ovaries. As the follicle grows, it releases inhibin which shuts off the FSH production.
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a hormone released by anterior pituitary gland.
Functions:
LH stimulates the production of sex hormones from the ovaries
a LH surge about halfway through the menstrual cycle triggers the onset of ovulation.
LH also induces the ovulated follicle to become a corpus luteum, which then secretes progesterone.
Fallopian Tubes structure
Approximately 12 cm long
Transport ovum to uterus
Site for fertilisation
Connect to uterus medially but open to peritoneum laterally
From uterus to the end of the fallopian tube
Isthmus
Ampulla
Infundibulum
Fimbriae
mucosa
serosa
Cilia & Secretory cells within Fallopian tubes
Fallopian tube function
Receive and propel (through peristaltic movements) the ovum towards the uterus.
Receive the spermatozoa as they travel upwards.
Provide a site for fertilisation (the ampulla).
Nourish the fertilized ovum on its way to the uterus.
anteverted meaning
A uterus being anteverted simply describes its position within your pelvis. If your uterus is anteverted, the top part of your uterus is aimed at your pubic bone, and your cervix is aimed towards your rectum. An anteverted uterus typically sits on top and slightly behind the bladder and in front of your rectum.
The uterus structure
A hollow muscular organ found in the pelvic cavity.
Size: Approx 7.5cms x 5cms x 2.5cms
Position: Anteverted & anteflexed
Support The broad ligament and 3 pairs of suspensory ligaments
Functions of the uterus
To prepare monthly to receive a fertilised ovum
Provide protection and nourishment for the developing fetus
Aid the expulsion of the fetus, placenta and membranes
To control blood loss following delivery of the placenta
Has the ability to return to the near non pregnant state by the process of involution.
The uterine wall layers, what are they?
Endometrium : a thin, inner, glandular mucosa
Myometrium : a middle muscular layer
Perimetrium: an incomplete serosa continuous with the peritoneum
Myometrium, what layers does it have?
Consists of three layers of muscle which are thickest at the fundus and thinnest at the cervix.
Inner - Circular fibres
Middle - Oblique fibres (Living ligatures)
Outer - Longitudinal fibres
Myometrial fibres, what are they
Smooth muscle cells separated by connective tissue (collagen and elastin).
Longtitudinal, oblique and circular muscle fibres will allow co-ordinated, strong and effective contractions to develop.
Have the ability for contraction and retraction (permanent shortening).
The Cervix structure
A spindle shaped canal connects the cavity of the uterus at the internal os and the vagina with the external os
Cylinder shaped roughly 2.5cm long.
The lower part protrudes into the vagina
Functions of the Cervix
Some of the epithelium is ciliated to assist the passage of spermatozoa (sperm)
The mucus alters in consistency during the stages of the menstrual cycle to either encourage or deter sperm
The cervix plays a vital role during pregnancy, acting as a barrier against infection.
The Vagina structure
A fibromuscular canal extending from the vulva to the uterus.
Runs upwards and backwards.
Surrounded and supported by the pelvic floor muscles.
The entrance to the vagina is partially covered by the membranous hymen.
The walls fall into folds or rugae to allow for distension.
Functions of the vagina
Protect against infection:
Normal flora (Bacillus bacteria) metabolise glycogen released by the superficial cells of the vagina and produce lactic acid as a waste product.
A normal vaginal pH is an acidic 4.5 which prevents the invasion of pathogenic organisms
The External Genitalia (Vulva), the parts that make it up
The labia major
The labia minor
The clitoris
The vestibule
The Bartholin’s glands
Male Reproductive system, what parts make it up?
2 testes
2 epididymes
2 vas deferens
2 seminal vesicles
2 ejaculatory ducts
prostate gland
penis
The testis structure
-Tunica Albuginea is a thick connective tissue capsule
-divide testis into 250 lobules
-each lobule contains 1-4 seminiferous tubules and interstitial connective tissue
-Seminiferous tubules produce sperms
-Interstitial tissue contains Leydig cells which produce testosterone
SERTOLI CELLS: what are they?
columnar with adjoining lateral processes
extend from basal lamina to lumen
Sertoli-Sertoli junctions divide seminiferous tubules into basal and adluminal compartments
HORMONAL REGULATION OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION
HYPOTHALAMUS REGULATES ACTIVITY OF ANTERIOR PITUITARY (ADENOHYPOPHYSIS)
ADENOHYPOPHYSIS SYNTHESIZES HORMONES (LH and FSH) THAT MODULATE ACTIVITY OF SERTOLI AND LEYDIG CELLS
Luteinizing Hormone (LH): stimulates testosterone production by Leydig cells
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): stimulates production of sperm in conjunction with testosterone by regulating activity of Sertoli cells
Sertoli Cells stimulated by FSH and Testosterone. Release Androgen Binding Protein which binds Testosterone; Thereby increasing Testosterone concentration within the seminiferous tubules and stimulating Spermatogenesis.
Testicular Cancer, symptoms and info
Most common in men aged 15 – 35 years
High cure rate (100% if early diagnosis)
Symptoms : Not all ‘lumps’ are cancers, Hardening of testis, Blood in semen
Metastasises to retroperitoneal or para-aortic lymph nodes
Vas Deferens (seminal duct) structure
Emerges from tail of epididymis
Ascends along posterior side of testis
Associates with blood vessels and nerves
Passes through the inguinal canal to enter pelvis
Crosses ureter near base of bladder
Forms ejaculatory duct with seminal vesicle
SPERMATOGENESIS, what are the phases
THREE PHASES:
(1) Spermatogonial Phase (Mitosis)
(2) Spermatocyte Phase (Meiosis)
(3) Spermatid Phase (Spermiogenesis)
- acrosome formation; golgi granules fuse to form acrosome that contains hydrolytic enzymes which will enable the spermatozoa to move through the investing layers of the oocyte
- flagellum formation; centrioles and associate axoneme (arrangement of microtubules in cilia)
- changes in size and shape of nucleus; chromatin condenses and shedding of residual body (cytoplasm)
Glands of the male reproductive system
Seminal vesicles
60% of seminal fluid
Prostate
30% of seminal fluid
alkaline to neutralise acidic vagina
Prostate Cancer symptoms and info
Men over 50 affected
Slow growing (men may die of other causes)
Risk factors – genetics, diet, obesity
Screening – rectal exam or Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test
Symptoms – frequent urination, haematuria, sexual dysfunction
What’s in semen?
Testes
2-5%
200 to 500 million spermatozoa are released per ejaculation.
Seminal Vesicle
65-75 %
amino acids, citrate, enzymes, flavins, fructose, proteins, phosphorylcholine, prostaglandins, vitamin C
Prostate
25-30%
acid phosphatase, citric acid, fibrinolysin, prostate specific antigen, enzymes, zinc
Bulbourethral gland
(Cowper’s)
< 1%
galactose, mucus
pre-ejaculate, sialic acid
Penis structure
Composed of root (internal) & body (external)
body average 13cm – 18cm long
Composed of 3 columns of erectile tissue
- 2 corpus cavernosa lie anteriorly
- 1 corpus spongiosum lies posteriorly
The urethra, why cant you pee and ejaculate at the same time?
During ejaculation, a muscular sphincter
(ring of muscle) closes off the bladder
