Lecture #14 - Reproductive System

Question 1

The Reproductive System

What do the testes produce?

What do the ovaries produce?

Answer 1

• testes: produce sperm and testosterone
• ovaries: produce eggs, estrogen, and progesterone

Question 2

The Male Reproductive System

What is the scrotum?

What is the dartos muscle?

What is the cremaster muscle?

Answer 2

• scrotum: sac of loose skin surroinding testes; provides cooler environment than body temperature (3 degrees celsius cooler)
• dartos muscle: smooth muscle; wrinkles scrotal skin
• cremaster: skeletal muscle; elevates testes

Question 3

The Testes

What are the different types of sacs in the testes?

Answer 3

• tunica vaginalis: serous sac (where testes are enclosed in)
• tunica albuginea: fibrous capsule; divides each testis into 250-300 lobules (contains seminiferous tubules)

Question 4

The Testes - Epididymis

What is the epididymis?

What type of epithelium dominate?

What happens to the sperm here?

Answer 4

• comma-shaped structure on posterior testis
• site of sperm maturation and storage
• pseudostratified columnar epithelium
• gain ability to swim and fertilize egg

Question 5

The Testes - Microscopic Anatomy - Seminiferous tubules

Describe the seminiferous tubules (ex. function)

Answer 5

• separated by areolar CT
• site of spermatogenesis
• carry sperm out of testes

(epithelium consists of spermatogenic cells and sustentocytes)

Question 6

The Testes - Microscopic Anatomy

What is the function of spermatogenic cells, sustentocytes, and interstitial cells?

Answer 6

• spermatogenic cells: produce sperm; begins at puberty (process takes 75 days)
• sustentocytes: surrounds and conveys nutrients to spermatogenic cells; secrete testicular fluid to help push sperm through the tubule
• interstitial cells: secrete testosterone (regulated by luteinizing hormone - LH)

Question 7

Ductus (Vas) Deferens

What is the function of the ductus (vas) deferens?

What type of epithelium?

Answer 7

• stores and transports sperm from epididymis to urethra
• inner mucosa: pseudostratified epithelium

Question 8

Accessory Glands

What are the different accessory glands to the male reproductive system?

What are the functions of the different accessory glands?

Answer 8

• seminal glands: secrete 60% of volume of semen; fluid contains sugar to nourish sperm and substances that suppress immune response to semen
• prostate: secrete 1/3 of volume of semen; contain substance that enhance sperm motility
• bulbourethral gland: produce mucus that neutralize traces of acidic urine; lubricates urethra for ejaculation

Question 9

The Penis

Describe the external anatomy of the penis

Describe the internal anatomy of the penis

Describe the male sexual response

Answer 9

External Anatomy

• shaft: body
• glans penis: distal, expanded end
• prepuce: foreskin (removed during circumcision)

Internal Anatomy

three erectile bodies: one corpus spongiosum - surrounds spongy urethra; two copora caverosa - makes up most of penis

Male Sexual Response
- erection: parasympathetic control
- ejaculation: sympathetic control

Question 10

The Ovaries

Describe the ovaries

What holds the ovaries in place?

What are the ovaries innervated by?

Answer 10

• small, almond shaped organs that produce ova
• ligaments and mesenteries: suspensory, ovarian, and broad ligament
• innervated by both divisions of ANS

Question 11

Internal Structures of the Ovaries

Name the different internal structures of the ovaries. Describe them

Answer 11

FOOT

• follicles: multicellular sacs housing oocyte
• ovarian cortex: houses developing oocytes
• ovarian medulla: loose CT; contains blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerves
• tunica albuginea: fibrous capsule of ovary; covered in simple cuboidal epithelium

Question 12

Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes

What is the function of the uterine (fallopian) tubes?

What are the different parts of the uterine (fallopian) tubes

Answer 12

• receive ovulated oocyte
• infundibulum: distal end of uterine tube; surrounded by fimbriae
• ampulla: middle third of uterine tube; site of fertilization
• isthmus: medial third of uterine tube

Question 13

The Uterus

Describe the location of the uterus

Name and describe the different parts of the uterus

Answer 13

• lies anterior to rectum; posterior to bladder
• fundus: rounded superior portion
• cervix: “neck” of uterus

Question 14

Uterine Wall

What are the different layers to the uterine wall?

Describe the different layers of the uterine wall

Answer 14

• perimertrium: serous layer; is the peritoneum
• myometrium: interlacing bundles of smooth muscle; contracts during childbirth
• endometrium: mucosal lining of uterine cavity; changes throughout menstrual cycle to prepare housing of developing embryo

Question 15

The Vagina

What are the different coats to the vagina?

Describe the different coats to the vagina

Answer 15

• adventitia: fibrous CT
• muscularis: smooth muscle
• mucosa: marked by transverse folds; consists of lamina propria and stratifies squamous epithelium

Question 16

What is superficial to the pubic symphysis and is covered in pubic hair after puberty?

Answer 16

mons pubis

Question 17

What is homologous to the male scrotum and encloses the labia minora?

Answer 17

labia majora

Question 18

What is enclosed by the labia minora and houses opening to urethra and vagina?

Answer 18

vestibule

Question 19

What is an erectile tissue that is homologous to the penis?

Answer 19

clitoris

Question 20

Female Menstrual Cycle

What is the general difference between the ovarian cycle and the uterine cycle?

Answer 20

• ovarian cycle: stimulates production of ovarian follicles and oocytes
• uterine cycle: prepares uterine wall of implantation

Question 21

Female Menstrual Cycle - The Ovarian Cycle

What are the three successive phases of the ovarian cycle?

Answer 21

FOL

• follicular phase: follicular growth stimulated by follicle-stimulating hormone (from anterior pituitary); (zona pellucida, corona radiate surround oocyte)
• ovulation: one mature oocyte exits from one ovary and is swept into the uterine (fallopian) tube; increase in LH is the signal for ovulation (occurs halfway through each ovarian cycle - day 14)
• luteal phase: occurs after ovulation in last half of ovarian cycle; remaining follicle becomes corpus luteum (secrete progestorne to prepare for implantation of embryo); if no implantation then corpus luteum dies

Question 22

Female Menstrual Cycle - The Uterine Cycle

What happens during the uterine cycle?

What are the different phases of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 22

• series of cyclic changes to the endometrium (endometrial phase directed by FSH and LH)
• phases coordinate with ovarian cycle
• menstrual cycle: days 1-5; functional layer is shed
• proliferative phase: days 6-14; functional layer rebuilds
• secretory phase: days 15-28

Question 23

The Mammary Glands - Breasts

What are the breasts?

Describe the breasts

Answer 23

• modified sweat gland
• glandular structure: undeveloped in nonpregnant women
• milk production: starts at or after childbirth

Question 24

Describe the male urethra and the different parts to them

Answer 24

• carries sperm from ejaculatory ducts to outside of the body
• prostatic, intermediate, spongy urethra