Lecture: Reproductive System Flashcards
1
Q
What are specialized reproductive cells?
A
Gametes
2
Q
What are reproductive organs that produce gametes and hormones?
A
Gonads
3
Q
What is the function of ducts?
A
Receive and transport gametes
4
Q
What is the function of the general accessory glands/organs?
A
Secrete fluids into ducts/ excretory ducts
5
Q
What constitutes the reproductive tract?
A
Reproductive ducts and the chambers that lead to the outside
6
Q
What is the male gamete?
A
sperm
7
Q
What is “emission”?
A
When sperm is released into the ducts, where it is mixed with excretions from accessory glands to form semen.
8
Q
___1___ secrete male hormones called ___2___ the most important of which is ___3___.
A
- Testes 2. Androgens 3. Testosterone
9
Q
What is an immature female gamete?
A
An oocyte
10
Q
What are the female gonads?
A
The ovaries
11
Q
What are the male gonads?
A
The testes
12
Q
___1___ secrete female sex hormones, the most important of which are___2___ and ___3___.
A
- Ovaries 2. Estrogen 3. Progesterone
13
Q
Where does an oocyte travel?
A
The oocyte travels through 1 of 2 uterine tubes to the uterus
14
Q
What happens to the oocyte after sex? (5 steps)
A
- Fertilization 2. Becomes ova 3. Becomes embryo 4. Becomes fetus 5. Birth
15
Q
What 3 parts make up the male duct system?
A
- epididymus 2. ductus deferens 3. urethra
16
Q
What are the 3 male accessory glands?
A
- seminal glands 2. prostate 3. bulbo-urethral gland
17
Q
What are the 2 male external genitals?
A
- scrotum 2. penis
18
Q
Dims of the testes
A
5cm x 3cm x 2.5cm and 10-15 grams each
19
Q
What is the pair of structures between the entrance of inguinal canal into the scrotum?
A
Spermatic cords
20
Q
What are the 3 blood vessels within spermatic cords?
A
- Deferential artery 2. Testicular artery 3. Pampiniform plexus of the testicular vein
21
Q
What innervates the spermatic cord?
A
The genitofemoral nerve
22
Q
What are the spermatic cords made of?
A
- Layers of fascia / muscle 2. Ductus deferens 3. Blood vessels
23
Q
What is an inguinal hernia?
A
Protruding visceral tissues/organs into the canal
24
Q
What forms during development when the testes drop?
A
The inguinal canal
25
What 2 spaces are linked by the inguinal canal?
The scrotal and peritoneal cavity
26
What divides the 2 scrotal cavities?
The raphe of scrotum
27
What is the role of the raphe of the scrotum?
Keeps inflammation from spreading from one testis to the other
28
What are the 3 layers of the scrotum?
1. Tunica vaginalis 2. Dartos muscle 3. Cremaster muscle
29
What is the tunica vaginalis?
A serous membrane that lines the scrotal cavity, preventing friction
30
What is the dartos muscle?
A smooth muscle layer in the scrotum that causes wrinkling of the skin
31
What is the cremaster muscle
A skeletal muscle deep to the dermis tenses the scrotum and raises it toward the body
32
At what temperature does sperm develop?
1.1°C lower than body temperature
33
What is tunica albuginea made of and where is it?
It is a dense connective tissue layer in the testes, deep to the tunica vaginalis (scrotal layer)
34
What does the tunica albuginea form and what is its role?
It forms the septa testis (fibrous partitions) and supports blood vessels, lymphatics, and efferent ductules.
35
What are inside the lobules of the testes?
approx 800 seminiferous tubules
36
Where in the gonads does sperm production take place?
In the seminiferous tubules
37
Seminiferous tubules merge into __________.
Straight tubules
38
What is the rete testis?
Maze of passageways formed by the straight tubules
39
What connects the rete testis to the epididymus?
15-20 efferent ductules
40
What is between the coiled seminiferous tubules?
1. Connective tissue capsule surrounds tubules 2. Areolar tissue 3. Blood vessels 4. Leydig cells
41
What are leydig cells and what do they produce?
Interstitial endocrine cells that produce androgens
42
What structure is the first of the male reproductive tract?
The epididymus
43
What is the epididymus?
A coiled tube bound to the posterior border of each testis
44
What is the specific function of the head of the epididymus?
Receive sperm from the efferent ducts
45
What is the specific function of the tail of the epididymus?
Connect to ductus deferens and temporarily store sperm
46
What is the function of the epididymus?
1. Monitor and adjust composition of fluid produced by seminiferous tubules. 2. Recycling center for damaged sperm 3. Stores/protects sperm and facilitates maturation
47
What kind of epithelial cells line the epididymus?
Pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium with stereo cilia for increased absorption/secretion of tubule fluid
48
What 2 mechanisms transport sperm through the epididymus?
1. Peristalsis 2. Fluid movement
49
How long is the ductus deferens and where does it start/lead?
40-45cm long, begins @ tail of epididymus, is part of the spermatic cord and ascends through the inguinal canal
50
What is the ampulla of the ductus deferens?
Enlarged lumen of the ductus deferens just before the prostate and seminal glands where sperm can be stored for months
51
What kind of epithelial cells line the ductus deferens?
Pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium
52
How long is the male urethra and where does it start/lead?
18-20cm from bladder to tip of the penis
53
What are the 3 divisions of the male urethra?
1. Prostatic 2. Spongy 3. Membranous
54
How much of the fluid in semen is produced by accessory glands?
95%
55
What are the functions of the male accessory glands?
1. Activate sperm 2. Provide nutrients sperm need for motility 3. Propel fluid along tract 4. Produce buffers that counter acidity in urethral/vaginal space
56
What are the seminal vesicles?
15cm tubular glands embedded in connective tissue
57
What is exception about the epithelial lining of the seminal vesicles?
Extensive folds in epithelial lining are very actively secretory
58
Which accessory gland produces the majority of semen volume?
the seminal vesicles
59
Where do the seminal vesicles discharge?
Not the ejaculatory duct @ the juncture of the seminal gland and the ampulla of the ductus deferens
60
What is the small muscular organ, 4cm in diameter that encircles the proximal portion of the urethra?
The prostate
61
What is prostatic tissue made of?
30-50 compound tubule alveolar glands surrounded by smooth muscle fiber
62
How much of semen volume is produced by the prostate?
25%
63
Describe prostatic fluid (3pts)
acidic, rich in enzymes, prevents sperm coagulation in the vagina
64
What is prostatitis?
Inflammation of the prostate causing pain. Common in older men but can happen at any age, is often mistaken for cancer.
65
What is another name for bulbo urethral glands?
Cowper’s glands
66
What are the bulbo urethral glands?
10mm diameter, compound tubular mucus glands
67
Where are the bulbo urethral glands located?
At the base of the penis, traveling along the spongy urethra
68
What is secreted by the bulbo urethral glands and what does it do?
Thick alkaline mucus, which neutralizes acids and lubricates the tip of the penis
69
How much semen volume per ejaculation?
2-5mL
70
What is indicated by low semen volume?
Problems with the prostate or seminal glands
71
How much sperm in a typical ejaculation?
20-100 million
72
What percent of sperm is normal / active in a typical ejaculation?
60%
73
What are 4 components of seminal fluid (the liquid in semen)
1. Fructose 2. Prostaglandins 3. Fibrinnogen 4. Enzymes
74
What is the function of fructose in seminal fluid?
Provide ‘food’ for sperm
75
What is the function of prostaglandins in seminal fluid?
Stimulate muscle contractions in the female and male reproductive tracts
76
What is the function of fibrinogen in seminal fluid?
Forms temporary semen clot in the vagina
77
What are the enzymes found in seminal fluid?
1. Proteases
2. Seminal plasmin antibiotic protein
3. Prostatic enzymes
4. Fibrinolysin
78
What is the function of proteases in seminal fluid?
Dissolve vaginal mucus
79
What is the function of seminal plasmin antibiotic protein in seminal fluid?
Prevent UTI (maybe)
80
What is the function of prostatic enzymes in seminal fluid?
Converts fibrinogen to fibrin
81
What is the function of proteases in fibrinolysin?
Liquifies clotted semen after 15-30 minutes
82
What is the tubular organ for intercourse and urination?
Penis
83
What secretes smegma?
Preputial glands
84
What is another word for prepuce?
Foreskin
