Final Flashcards
What makes up the duct system of the male reproductive system?
2 epididymis
2 vas deferens
2 ejaculatory ducts
1 urethra
What are the accessory glands to the male reproductive system?
2 seminal vesicles
2 bulbourethral glands
1 prostate
What are the testes made up of?
Seminiferous Tubules
Function to form sperm
What is the path of sperm from the seminiferous tubules?
Made in tubules, travel through RETE TESTIS (joining of all tubules), leave via EFFERENT DUCTULES into epididymis (where they can be stored)
What are in between the seminiferous tubules? What do they do?
Interstitial (LEYDIG) cells that produce testosterone
What stimulates the interstitial cells between the seminiferous tubules to release testosterone? What are the functions of testosterone?
LH secreted by the anterior pituitary
- regulates metabolism
- stimulates growth spurts
- underlies sex drive
- prompts reproductive organ development and secondary sex traits
What are features and functions of the epididymis ?
Comma shaped, tightly coiled along top and behind each testis
Stores matures perms for 1-3 weeks, expels sperm into VAS DEFERENS
What are features and functions of the vas deferens?
Muscular tube from epididymis to ejaculatory duct using peristalsis
Joins with SEMINAL VESICLE
Where does urethra start? Where does sperm enter it?
Starts at bladder
Sperm enters at ejaculatory duct (prostate gland)
Where are the seminal vesicles located? What is their purpose?
Gland at base of bladder
Secretes thick yellows alkaline liquid (60% of Semen vol, allowing Sperm to travel)
Contains fructose, vitamin C, lipids to nourish and activate sperm
Where is the probate located? What does it do?
Doughnut shaped gland encircling urethra directly below bladder
Add slightly acidic, watery, milky secretion to seminal fluid (30% of vol)
Helps with sore activation, viability and mobility
What are bulbourethral glands and what is their purpose?
Small pea shaped gland below prostate
Secretes clear, thick, alkaline mucous to cleanse urethra of acidic urine
Serves as lubricant
Counteracts acidity in female vagina
What are some characteristics of the scrotum?
Contains a testis, epiditymis, lower vas deferens
Maintains 3 degrees lower than body temp (34 degrees) to protect sperm viability
What are primary spermatocytes?
Ddiploid sperm cells that are produced from birth to puberty through MITOSIS
FSH then stimulates them to undergo MEIOSIS when puberty hits (become SPERMATIDS)
What happens to SPERMATIDS?
Mature into sperm cells (takes about 64-72 days)
What activates spermatogenesis?
Increased testosterone levels and release of FSH
Homologous chromosome
A set of one maternal and one paternal chromosomes coding for the same gene
What are the main functions of the female reproductive system?
Produce offspring
Produce gametes
Provide protection to developing offspring
What is the duct system for the female reproductive system?
Uterine tubes
Uterus
Vagina
What are gonads?
Reproductive organs
Ovaries- female
Testes- male
What are characteristics of the ovaries?
Sac like structures located on each side of uterus
Composed of thousands of OVARIAN FOLLICLES
Follicles contain immature gametes called OOCYTES
What are the stages of ovarian follicle development?
Primary follicle- contains immature oocyte, surrounded by single layer of granulosa cells
Graffiti follicle- growing follicle containing maturing oocyte
Ovulation- follicle ruptures to release mature OVUM every 28 days
Ruptures follicle turns into CORPUS LUTEUM that continues to grow
What is the purpose of the corpus LUTEUM?
Acts as an endocrine gland after rupture of follicle
Excretes progesterone to keep endometrium lining of uterus viable for implantation (thick)
Also suppresses development of a new follicle to maintain pregnancy and placenta
If pregnancy does not occur, degenerates into CORPUS ALBICAN
What is the function of the ovaries?
Produce ova
Oogenesis
Function as endocrine organs that secrete progesterone and estrogen
What are OOCYTES.
Immature eggs that mature in ovarian follicles
What are the steps of oogenesis?
Before birth, stem cells specific to female are present (oogonia)
Oogonia undergo mitosis to form PRIMARY OOCYTES (before birth)
Primary oocytes become encased in primary follicles where they await meiosis
Meiosis 1 is initiated, but stops at prophase 1 until puberty when FSH stimulates maturation
Meiosis 1 continues, and produces a haploid secondary oocyte as well as the first polar body
When sperm penetrates egg, meiosis 2 occurs
Where does fertilization occur?
Ampulla of the uterine tube
What is the structure of the Fallopian tubes and the ovaries?
Fallopian tubes attach to uterus at end of uterine tubes
Do not physically attach to ovaries
Fimbrae- finger like projections receive the oocyte when follicle ruptures and transport it through Fallopian tube using cilia
What are some characteristics of the uterus?
Hollow, pear shaped organ located above the bladder and between the rectum
2 main parts- CERVIX and BODY
What is the main purpose of the uterus?
Receives, retains, and nourishes the fertilized egg
Permits sperm to ascent towards uterine tubes
Endometrial glands supply embryo with nutrients until placenta forms
What are the 3 layers of the uterus?
Endometrium- allows for egg implantation
This lining sloughs off if NO PREGNANCY occurs
Myometrium- smooth muscle layer that contracts
Perimetrium- external layer
What are the components of the external genetalia?
Vestibule- opening of urethera
Labia- fat and connective tissue that provides protection
Clitoris- constrains erectile tissue corresponding to male penis
How long does it take the ova to reach the uterus?
4-5 days
What is the menstrual cycle?
Cyclic changes to the endometrium lining
Important to prepare uterus for implantation
Controlled by cyclic production of estrogen and progesterone
Stages-
menses: endometrium sheds
Proliferation stage: regeneration of endometrium
Secretory stage: endometrium increases in size and readies for implantation
What is the ovarian cycle?
Production of ova- FSH starts, estrogen maintains
Follicular phase: follicles mature (estrogen)
Ovulation: release of ovum (estrogen increase and surge of LH)
Luteal phase: corpus luteum secretes estrogen(lower) and progesterone
What does estrogen do in the female reproductive system?
Produced by follicle cells
- secondary sex characteristics (breaths, public hair, fat, wider hips)
- controls menstrual cycle and ovarian cycle
- begins menses
What does progesterone do in female system?
Produced in corpus luteum and placenta
Helps maintain endometrium in anticipation of pregnancy
