Module 12 Flashcards
function of the male reproductive system
create and transport the male gamete cell, sperm
what are the four parts of a sperm?
head, neck, midpiece, tail
what shape is the head of a sperm?
flat and oval
what is contained in the head of a sperm?
nucleus and acrosomal cap
what does the nucleus of the sperm needed for?
to contribute either an X or Y chromosome to the fertilization process
what is the acrosomal cap?
contains enzymes that are released prior to fertilization to help the sperm pass through layers of the egg
neck of the sperm
connects the head to the midpiece
the midpiece of the sperm
a continuation of the neck with a mitochondrial collar that helps produce energy
another name for the tail of a sperm?
flagellum
purpose of the spermy tail?
source of movement
where is the site of sperm creation and development?
the testes
size of the testes?
length = 4-5cm diameter = 2.5 - 3cm
the testes are ____
glands
what are the two coverings of the testes?
- tunica vaginalis
2. tunica albuginea
tunica vaginalis
- outer protective covering
- extension of the protective covering in the abdominal cavity
tunica albuginea
- inner fibrous coat or capsule
- extensions from the tunica albuginea penetrate into the testes dividing it into approx 250-300 compartmens, known as lobules
each lobule in the tunica albuginea contains?
up to 4 thin and elongated seminiferous tubules
where are the seminiferous tubules located
coiled in the testes
what do the seminiferous tubules do
produce sperm
how long is each seminiferous tubule hen coiled?
approx 8cm
each testes contains its own ______
seminiferous tubule
______ are found between the seminiferous tubules in the loose connective tissue
Leydig cells
what do leydig cells do?
produce and secrete testosterone
what is the scrotum?
sac of skin and fascia surrounding the testes, derived from the anterior abdominal wall
what are the two muscles of the scrotum?
- dartos muscle
2. cremaster muscle
which of the two scrotum muscles is more superficial?
dartos muscle
where is the dartos muscle located?
in the skin of the scrotum
what causes the wrinkly (rugose) appearance of the scrotum?
dartos muscle
function of the cremaster muscle
moves the testes and scrotum towards and away from the body to help regulate the temperature of the testes
why is a duct system (males) necessary?
following production int he testes, the sperm must travel through the duct system to pass out of the body
the left and right testes each has its own ___ ____
duct system
what is the epididymis?
first portion of male duct system.
where is the epididymis located? what is its shape?
lies on the posterior border is each testes ad is shaped like a comma
how long is the epididymis
about 4cm
the epididymis contains long coiled tubules about ____ in length
4 - 5m
what are the three regions of the epididymis?
- head
- body
- tail
purpose of the head of the epididymis?
contains and receives sperm from the seminiferous tubules
where is the body of the epididymis located?
on the posterior-lateral border of the testis
where is the tail of the epididymis located?
near the inferior border of the testis
at the tail of the epididymis, what happens to the coiled duct?
coiling of the duct has diminished and the tube reverses its direction and ascends into the vas deferens
where are the sperm stored prior to ejaculation?
the tail of the epididymis
the ducts of the epididymis are lined with _________
pseudostratified columnar epithelium
what is the second portion of the male duct system called?
Vas Deferens (ductus deferens)
function of the vas deferens?
stores and transports sperm from the epididymis to the urethra
the Vas Deferens has a small _____
lumen
the Vas Deferens has a thick _____
muscularis, composed of layer of smooth muscle
what are the four structures associated with the Vas Deferens?
- Ampulla
- Seminal vesicle
- ejaculatory duct
- urethra
what is the final portion of the male duct system?
urethra
what is the ampulla
expanded distal portion of the vas deferens
the ampulla and seminal vesicle join to form _______
the ejaculatory duct
how long is the male urethra?
15-20cm
what is the function of accessory reproductive glands (males)
to nourish the sperm as they travel through the duct system
what are the three accessory reproductive glands in males
- seminal vesicles
- prostate gland
- bulbourethral glands
where are the seminal vesicles located
two glands, located on the posterior surface of the bladder, in front of the rectum
what are the seminal vesicles
large, coiled tubular glands
what do the seminal vesicles do?
provide fluid and nutrients to the ejaculate and contribute 60% to the volume of semen
where is the prostate gland? how big is it?
located beneath the bladder
size of a walnut
what does the prostate gland consist of?
tubular glands embedded in a mass of smooth muscle and connective tissue
what is the function of the prostate gland?
produces and secretes sugars and enzymes, which accounts for about 33% of the seminal fluid
where are the bulbourethral glands? how big are they?
two, pea sized
located immediately below the prostate at the base of the penis
what do the bulbourethral glands secrete? Why?
thick, clear alkaline mucus that drains into the penile urethra
why do the bulbourethral glands secrete before ejaculation?
to neutralize traces of acidic urine and to lubricate the urethra
what are the three parts of the penis?
- root
- body
- glans
where is the root of the penis?
fixed portion that attaches the penis to the ischium (pelvic bone)
body of the penis
tubular moveable portion that consists of three cylinders of erectile tissues and contains the urethra
what is the glans?
expanded distal end of the penis (tip)
what are the two kinds of penile tissue?
1) corpora cavernosa
2) corpus spongiosum
what are the corpora cavernosa?
two erectile cylinders on the dorsal surface OF THE PENIS, which makes up most of the mass of the penis
what is the crura of the penis and where does it attach?
the proximal portion of the corpora cavernosa. attached to the bony pelvis by muscles
the corpus spongiosum contains the ____
urethra
the corpus spongiosum expands distally to form the __
glans of the penis
the proximal end of the corpus spongiosum is enlarged and called the ____
bulb of the penis
what is the function of the female reproductive system?
produce the female gamete, an ovum, and to carry a fetus to full term
how are the male and female reproductive systems similar?
symmetry
where are the ovaries located?
near the lateral walls of the pelvis
what size are the ovaries (length, thickness)
length = 2cm thickness = 1 - 1.5cm
what happens in the ovaries?
where the eggs (ova) are produced and stored prior to ovulation
what are the two ligaments of the ovaries?
- ovarian ligament
2. suspensory ligament
what purpose do the ligaments of the ovaries serve?
- protect and anchor the ovaries
- also protected by an outer covering of dense connective tissue
function of the ovarian ligament?
anchor ovaries to the uterus
function of the suspensory ligament
anchor the ovaries to the pelvic wall
the ovaries are surrounded by what?
a connective tissue capsule, known as the tunica albuginea
each ovary is divided into a ____ and a _____
cortex, medulla
the cortex of the ovaries contains what?
the ovarian follicles
the medulla of the ovaries contains what?
blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics to supply the tissue of the ovary
what are the five kinds of follicles in the cortex of the ovaries
- primordial
- primary
- secondary
- graafian
- corpus luteum
Which follicle is the most immature?
primordial follicle
what is the primordial follicle
one layer of cells surrounding the egg
which follicle develops from the primordial follicle?
the primary follicle
what is the makeup of the primary follicle?
two or more layers of cells surrounding the egg
the secondary follicle is surrounded by
many layers of cells
the secondary follicle contains an _____
antrum (fluid-filled space)
which follicle is the mature one that will be ovulated during a menstrual cycle?
Graafian follicle
what’s another name for the graafian follicle
tertiary follicle
what is ovulation?
the rupture of a Graafian follicle, where it is ejected from the ovary
how many layers of cells surround a graafian follicle?
many
the graafian follicle contains an _____
antrum (much bigger than that in the secondary follicle though)
after ovulation, the ____ develops from the remnants of the mature follicle
corpus luteum
what does the corpus luteum do?
mainly produces progesterone and to a lesser extent, estrogen
what happens to the corpus luteum if fertalization does not occur?
degenerates
what’s another name for the uterine tubes
fallopian tubes or oviducts
what are the uterine tubes
the ducts of the female resproductive system
how long are the uterine tubes?
10 - 12cm
what are the three portions of the uterine tubes
infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus
Infundibulum
funnel-shaped distal end of the uterine tubes that opens into the peritoneal cavity and has finger-like extensions called fimbriae
what is the function of the infundibulum?
capture the egg after it is ovulated
which portion of the uterine tubes is the longest and widest?
ampulla
what part of the uterine tubes does fertilization normally occur?
ampulla
what part of the uterine tubes is the closest to the uterus?
isthmus
where does the isthmus travel through?
passes through the uterine wall, opening into the lumen of the uterus
what are the three parts of the uterus
- fundus
- body
- cervix
which portion of the uterus is the most superior?
fundus
what shape and where is the fundus of the uterus?
dome-shaped and extends between the uterine tubes
the body of the uterus is composed of ____
smooth muscle
the cervix projects into the ____
vagina
the cervix contains the _____
cervical canal (connects to the vagina)
what are the two openings to the cervical canal called
- internal os
2. external os
what does the internal os connect?
uterus and cervix
what does the external os connect?
cervix and vagina
what are the three layers of the uterine wall?
- endometrium
- myometrium
- perimetrium
what is the endometrium
- the glandular inner lining
- undergoes the changes through the menstrual cycle
which layer of the uterine wall makes up 10% of the total mass of the uterus?
endometrium
the myometrium is the ____ layer of the uterine wall made up of ____ muscle
middle, smooth
myometrium makes up ____ of the total mass of the uterus
90%
the thin, outer layer capsule of the uterine wall is called the?
perimetrium
the perimetrium is composed of what?
serosa
the uterus is supported by the ___ ____ which drapes over the uterus
broad ligament
where is the vagina located?
inferior to the cervix
how long is the vagina?
10cm
what structure connects the uterus to the outside of the body
the vagina
the vagina also serves as the ____ ____
birth canal
the mucosa of the vagina is what kind of epithelium?
stratified squamous
the mucosa of the vagina produces ____?
glycogen, which is metabolized by bacteria into lactic acid
the mucosa of the vagina serves what purpose?
to protect the vagina through creating an acidic environment
what kind of tissue is the muscularis of the vagina
elastic, loose connective tissue
what are the layers of the muscularis of the vagina
inner circular layer
outer longitudinal layer of smooth muscle
is the vagina covered in serosa or adventitia?
adventitia
another name for female external genetalia
vulva or pudendum
what are the five aspects of the female external genitalia
- mons pubis
- clitoris
- labia minora
- labia majora
- vestibule
what is the mons pubis
adipose tissue overlying the pubic bone
what is the clitoris?
highly sensitive area
what is the clitoris composed of?
erectile tissue that is homologous to the corpora cavernosa in the male
what are the labia minora
- “small lips”
- two thin, fat free folds of skin close to the vestibule
what are the labia majora
- “large lips”
- two elongated, fatty folds of skin that are homologous to the male scrotum
what is the vestibule (female external genitalia)
opening of the vagina
the breasts are also the
mammary glands
what are the mammary glands
modified sweat glands
what do the mammary glands do?
produce and secrete milk
how many lobes are apart of the mammary glands?
15-20 (they all contain glands)
what separates the lobes of the mammary glands?
connective tissue septa
function of connective tissue septa in the mammary glands?
as the suspensory ligaments that attach the breast to the underlying muscle and overlying skin (natural support of breasts)
the mammary glands include the _____ ___ which drain into the nipple
lactiferous ducts
the pigmented area around the nipple is called?
the areola
what is ectopic pregnancy?
when fertilization occurs outside of the typical region of fertilization, resulting in implantation in an abnormal location
results of ectopic pregnancy?
- major bleeding
- put pressure on surrounding organs
- may not be enough nutrients or space for the fetus
