Reproduction Flashcards
Identify and describe the internal and external genitalia of the female and male reproductive systems.
Female Reproductive System:
-Internal Genitalia: 2 ovaries, 2 uterine tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina
-Ovaries: small, oval-shaped
organs located on either
side of uterus
-Uterine Tubes: provide
connection between
ovaries and uterus
-Uterus/Womb: pear-
shaped muscular organ
-Cervix: uterus narrows to
form cervix, closed, except
during ovulation and
childbirth
-Vagina: copulatory organ
and birth canal during
parturition
-External Genitalia/Vulva: vestibule, labia majora, labia minora and clitoris
-Vestibule: longitudinal cleft
surrounded by the labia
majora where the urethra
and vaginal opening are
found
-Clitoris: same embryonic
origin as penis, erectile
tissue, very sensitive to
physical stimulation
-Labia Majora/Minora:
longitudinal folds that cover
opening of vagina and
urethra
Male Reproductive System:
-Testes: located in individual sacs and together form scrotum, production of sperm and sex hormones
-from testes, sperm follows
series of ducts (epididymis,
vas deferens, ejaculatory
duct) to arrive in urethra
-along ductal system are
accessory organs:
ampullae, seminal vesicles,
prostate and bulbo-urethral
gland
-urethra continues through
penis
-Penis: made of 3 erectile bodies, and is enlarged to form glans penis
-glans and shaft are the
penis is covered by skin
known as the prepuce or
foreskin
Differentiate between primordial, primary, secondary, tertiary (mature/graffian) ovarian follicles.
Primordial Follicle: single layer of follicular cells surround ovum
Primary Follicle: follicle begins to grow; supporting cells become cuboidal and the number of cell layers around the ovum increases
Secondary Follicle: follicular cells begin to differentiate into theca and granulosa cells, and a fluid-filled vesicle begins to develop inside the follicle
Tertiary/Mature/Graffian Follicle: fluid-filled vesicles has developed into antrum; granulose cells have formed a stalk-like projection (cumulus oophorus)
Discuss the 2 possible fates of ovarian follicles: ovulation and atresia.
-during each ovulatory cycle only 1 follicle will develop into fully mature follicle
-this follicle will go on to be ovulated from ovary into uterine tube
-remaining secondary follicles will undergo atresia
Atresia: form of apoptosis, removing secondary follicles from ovary
Define granulosa, theca, zona pellucida, corona radiata and cumulus oophorus.
Granulosa Cells: type of follicular cell that forms the innermost layers of the follicular wall
Theca Cells: type of follicular that form the periphery of the follicle
Zona Pellucida: thin, gel-like layer of proteins and polysaccharides found between the oocyte and the corona radiata
Corona Radiata: ring of granulosa cells found around the oocyte
Cumulus Oophorus: stalk-like projection of granulosa cells that supports the oocyte
Identify the 3 segments of the oviduct.
Oviduct (Uterine Tubes): divided into infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus
-Infundibulum: cone-shaped structure in close relation to ovaries, opening of the uterine tube
-Ampulla: follows and contains many folds in its lining; to slow ovum movement, where fertilization occurs
-Isthmus: connects the oviduct to the uterus via the uterotubal junction
Describe the function of the secretory columnar cells of the oviduct.
Secretory Columnar Cells: produce liquid that facilitates movement of ova and sperm through oviduct; provide nutrition to early embryo, helped protect egg and sperm from immune system
Discuss the function of the frimbria and cilia of the oviduct.
Fimbriae: found in infundibulum of oviduct, act to move ovulated oocyte from ovary into oviduct
Cilia: found in ampulla and isthmus, help to move liquid in oviduct and oocyte/embryo towards uterus
-prevent microorganisms from moving towards ovaries
Describe how oocytes and spermatozoa are transported down the oviduct.
Oviduct is muscular organ; peristalic contractions of the oviductal smooth muscles along with the cilia help to facilitate the movement of the movement of oocyte and sperm down the oviduct
Identify the perimetrium, myometrium and endometrium of the uterus.
Permetrium: outermost layer of uterus; connective tissue
Myometrium: middle layer of uterus; multiple layers of smooth muscle and is thickest near fundus/uterine horn and thinnest near cervis
Endometrium: innermost layer of uterus; muscosal lining of uterus that thicken to prepare for implantation and is sloughed off during menses
Describe the cervix and indicate its function.
Cervix: narrowing of uterus, opening into vagina
-mainly made of connective tissue and small amount of smooth muscle
-closed except during ovulation (slight relaxation) and parturition (dilation)
-secretes mucus that forms plug in cervical lumen
Identify an ectopic pregnancy.
Ectopic Pregnancy: fertilized egg implants itself in uterine tube or outside of reproductive system; in abdominal or pelvic cavity
-doesn’t result in fetus developing to term
Identify the 3 functions of the male reproductive tract.
-secretion of sex hormones
-production of sperm
-deposition of sperm into female reproductive tract
Describe the anatomy of the testes.
- 2 tissue layers: thing serosa tunica vaginalis and tunica albuginea surround testes
- Tunica Albugenia: inserts into testis and divides it into smaller lobules
-each lobule is made of seminiferous tubules
-seminiferous tubules surrounded by connective tissue containing scattered, testosterone producing Leydig cells
Differentiate between a Sertoli and Leydig cell and indicate their functions.
Sertoli Cells: found within seminiferous tubules and respond to FSH activation
-able to produce inhibin (hormone that inhibits further FSH secretion)
-thought to be involved in conversion of spermatids to spermatozoa and help to make seminiferous tubules site of immune privilege
Leydig Cells: found in interstitial space between seminiferous tubules
-able to respond to LH; production of testosterone
Define: epididymis, spermatic cord, efferent ductules, rete testes, seminiferous tubules, gubernaculum, cremaster muscle, tunica vaginalis, tunica albuginea.
Epididymis: tightly coiled structure lying about the testis; sperm passes from seminiferous tubules in epididymis
Spermatic Cord: cord-like structure that consists of vas deferens and surronding tissues
Efferent Ductules: connect the rete testis to epididymis
Rete Testes: series of fine collecting tubules that testes drain into
Seminiferous Tubules: densely coiled tubules located within testes that is location of sperm development
Gubernaculum: anchors the testes and epididymis to scrotum
Cremaster Muscle: responsible for suspension of testes; cold causes muscle to contract and move testes closer to body
Tunica Vaginalis: thin, serosal layer surrounding each testis
Tunica Albuginea: tough, fibrous layer surrounding each testis
Identify 3 regions of the epididymis: caput, corpus, cauda.
Caput: head of epididymis, receives sperm from testis
Corpus: body of epididymis
Cauda: tail of epididymis, storage of sperm until ejaculation
Indicate how the epididymus contributes to the formation of spermatozoa.
-spermatozoa that enters epididymis are non-motile
-as they move through epididymis, undergo maturation to become more resistant to changes in pH and temperature
-upon combination with prostatic fluids during ejaculation; sperm are motile and able to fertilize ovum
Identify male accessory sex glands including: seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral gland.
Seminal Vesicles: paired organs that secrete fluid containing fructose into ejaculatory duct used as energy source for sperm; androgen-dependent accessory organ
Prostate Gland: gland found where ejaculatory duct merges with urethra; fluid from prostate enters urethra through pores and contains citric acid, calcium and coagulation proteins
Bulbourethral Gland: small gland found below prostate; secretion form pre-ejaculate that helps lubricate urethra for sperm passage and removes traces of acidic urine
Describe the route sperm take from the seminiferous tubule to the external urinary meatus.
Seminiferous tubules -> rete testis -> efferent ductile -> epididymis -> vas deferens -> ejaculatory duct -> prostatic urethra -> penile urethra
Identify the 3 erectile bodies of the penis.
-paired corpora cavernosa (2) on dorsal aspect of penis
-corpus spongiosum on ventral side
Describe how the anatomical arrangement of the erectile bodies, tunica albuginea, ischiocavernosus muscle and bulbospongiosus muscle result in an erection.
-erection is achieved by increasing blood flow to erectile tissues and a fibrous, non-stretchable capsule (tunica albuginea) surrounds these tissues
-corpora cavernosa are embedded by ischiocevernous muscle
-contraction of the muscles increases blood flow into corpora cavernosa leading to erection
-bulbospongiosum muscle embed the corpus spongiosum
-contraction of these muscles leads to constriction of urethra aiding in ejaculation and urination
Briefly describe how parasympathetic stimulation leads to an erection.
-parasympathetic nerve stimulation leads to vasodilation or arterioles leading into corpora cavernosa; increased blood flow to region
-action believed to be mediated by nitric oxide (NO) release from parasympathetic nerve terminals
Identify major anatomical sections of a spermatozoon.
-head, midpiece, principal piece, and end piece
Head: contains genetic information (covered by acrosome)
Midpiece: contains mitochondria
Principle and Endpiece: make up flagellum
Briefly describe spermatogenesis in regards to meiotic divisions.
Spermatogenesis begins with mitotic division of spermatogonia (2n); production of speratogonia (2n) and primary spermatocyte (2n).
Primary spermatocyte will undergo 2 meiotic divisions that will produce 4 spermatids (n) with half of genetic information of original primary spertocyte.
Differentiate between primary spermacyte, secondary spermacyte, spermatids and spermatozoa.
Primary Spermatocyte: derived from mitotic division of spermtogonia; contains full complement of 46 chromosomes (2n)
Secondary Spermatocyte: derived from first meiotic division (of a primary spermatocyte); cells only contain one of each homologous pair and are therefore haploid (23 chromosomes, n)
Spermatids: derived from second meiotic division (of a secondary spermatocyte); each cell contains one chromatid of each chromosome (haploid, n)
Spermatozoa: mature form of sperm; 23 chromosomes (n) and a change in structure to head and tail structure