Female-Male Reproductive system

Question 1

What is Gamete?

Answer 1

A cell that fuses with another during fertilisation
Gametes carry half the genetic information of an individual

Sperm cell
Ovum

Question 2

The female Reproductive system Consists of…

Answer 2

2 ovaries
2 uterine(fallopian) tubes
The uterus
The cervix
The vagina
The external genitalia
2 breasts

Question 3

Female Reproductive Functions

Answer 3

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)

Question 4

Ligament attachments for the female reproductive system

Answer 4

Ovarian ligament
Suspensory ligament

Round ligament
broad ligament

Question 5

The ovaries, structure, appearance, what is near it and ligaments

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

The function of the ovaries

Answer 6

They produce oocytes (ovum) for fertilisation
They produce the sex hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.

Question 7

Female Sex Hormones and their function

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Gonadotropin Hormones and their function

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Fallopian Tubes structure

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Fallopian tube function

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

anteverted meaning

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

The uterus structure

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Functions of the uterus

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

The uterine wall layers, what are they?

Answer 14

Endometrium : a thin, inner, glandular mucosa

Myometrium : a middle muscular layer

Perimetrium: an incomplete serosa continuous with the peritoneum

Question 15

Myometrium, what layers does it have?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Myometrial fibres, what are they

Answer 16

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).

Question 17

The Cervix structure

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Functions of the Cervix

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

The Vagina structure

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Functions of the vagina

Answer 20

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

Question 21

The External Genitalia (Vulva), the parts that make it up

Answer 21

The labia major
The labia minor
The clitoris
The vestibule
The Bartholin’s glands

Question 22

Male Reproductive system, what parts make it up?

Answer 22

2 testes
2 epididymes
2 vas deferens
2 seminal vesicles
2 ejaculatory ducts
prostate gland
penis

Question 23

The testis structure

Answer 23

-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

Question 24

SERTOLI CELLS: what are they?

Answer 24

columnar with adjoining lateral processes
extend from basal lamina to lumen
Sertoli-Sertoli junctions divide seminiferous tubules into basal and adluminal compartments

Question 25

HORMONAL REGULATION OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

Testicular Cancer, symptoms and info

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Vas Deferens (seminal duct) structure

Answer 27

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

Question 28

SPERMATOGENESIS, what are the phases

Answer 28

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)

Question 29

Glands of the male reproductive system

Answer 29

Seminal vesicles
60% of seminal fluid

Prostate
30% of seminal fluid
alkaline to neutralise acidic vagina

Question 30

Prostate Cancer symptoms and info

Answer 30

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

Question 31

What’s in semen?

Answer 31

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

Question 32

Penis structure

Answer 32

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

Question 33

The urethra, why cant you pee and ejaculate at the same time?

Answer 33

During ejaculation, a muscular sphincter
(ring of muscle) closes off the bladder