Reproductive

Question 1

Reproductive System

Answer 1

The only organ system not responsible for survival of the individual

Question 2

Embryonic Development

Answer 2

• Begins at approximately 3-4 weeks gestation
• Gender is undifferentiated and can go either way (anatomically and physiologically)
• Predetermined genetically, but depends on early signalling pathways

Question 3

Gonad: (Testis)

Answer 3

Primary organ, responsible for sperm production and development/maintenance of secondary sex characteristics

• as sperm are produced they move into a tubular network (rete testis)
• cilia carries the sperm through efferent ductules into the epididymis

Question 4

Parts of the Testis

Answer 4

• Seminiferous tubules
• Sertoli cells
• Spermatozoa
• Interstitial cells (of Leydig)

Question 5

Seminiferous Tubules

Answer 5

Highly coiled “sperm factories” sealed by the blood testis barrier
- located in testicular lobules

Question 6

Sertoli Cells

Answer 6

(Nurse, Sustentacular cells)

- form the blood testis barrier and support sperm development

Question 7

Spermatozoa

Answer 7

Mature sperm cells formed by:

• meiosis: a specialized type of cell division that splits the chromosome number in half
• spermiogenesis: morphological changes leading to characteristics of spermatozoa

Question 8

Interstitial Cells (of Leydig)

Answer 8

• between seminiferous tubules

- secrete testosterone

Question 9

Epididymis

Answer 9

• a comma shaped organ that arches over the posterior and lateral side of the testis
• stores spermatozoa until ejaculation or death

Question 10

Vas Deferens

Answer 10

• extends from the epididymis duct to the prostatic urethra
• passes posterior to the urinary bladder
• most located in the spermatic cord with spermatic blood vessels and nerves
• passes near the seminal vesicles to end at the ejaculatory duct

Question 11

Seminal Vesicles

Answer 11

• bilateral, located on the posterior/inferior aspect of the urinary bladder
• produce 60% of semen

Question 12

Prostate

Answer 12

• located inferior to the urinary bladder
• surrounds the prostatic urethra
• the size and shape of a chestnut
• secretes about 1/3 of semen

Question 13

Bulbourethral (Cowper’s)Gland

Answer 13

• located inferior to the Prostate and superior to the Penis
• in the urogenital diaphragm
• secretes an alkaline substance prior to ejaculation
• neutralizes acid from urine

Question 14

Penis

Answer 14

Erectile tissue cavernous tissue that becomes engorged with blood during erection
• corpus spongiosum: surrounds the penile urethra
• corpora cavernosa: 2, located on the dorsal aspect of the penis
• glans: the enlarged tip of the penis
• prepuce: a cuff of loose skin that covers the glans (removed during circumcision)

Question 15

Scrotum

Answer 15

• a thin sac of skin, superficial fascia and smooth muscle (dartos)
• holds the testes outside of the body
• reducing temperature

Question 16

Cremaster Muscle

Answer 16

• skeletal muscle fibers extending from the internal oblique muscle
• responsible for elevating the testis

Question 17

Tunica of the Testis (2)

Answer 17

• tunica vaginalis (outpouching of the peritoneal cavity) a serous sac
• tunica albuginea the fibrous capsule of the testes

Question 18

Gonad: (Ovary)

Answer 18

• almond shaped, flank the uterus on either side
• located within the peritoneal cavity
• attached to the uterus and body wall by ovarian ligaments
• secondary oocyte, released from the ovary during ovulation

Question 19

Ovarian Follicles

Answer 19

Layers of epithelial cells that support ova

- Types of follicles: primordial, primary, secondary, graafian

Question 20

Primordial

Answer 20

Most immature of follicles

Question 21

Primary

Answer 21

Have a single layer of follicular (granulosa) cells

Question 22

Secondary

Answer 22

Have more than one layer and growing cavities

Question 23

Graafian

Answer 23

Have a distinct cavity filled with fluid, with the ovum supported by many layers of follicular cells
– contain an antrum, ovum at one end surround by corona radiata

Question 24

Corpus Luteum

Answer 24

• the structure formed by the graafian follicle after ovulation
• functions to support early pregnancy

Question 25

Corpus Albicans

Answer 25

• structure formed by the corpus luteum after all function is lost

Question 26

Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes

Answer 26

• ciliated tubes allowing for passage of the ovum to the uterus and sperm toward the ovum
• where fertilization should occur (1st third from the ovary)
• fimbriae finger like projections that cover the ovary and sway, drawing the ovum inside after ovulation

Question 27

Uterus

Answer 27

A muscular, hollow organ designed to support the embryo/fetus during pregnancy

• endometrium
• perimetrium
• ligaments

Question 28

Endometrium

Answer 28

Inner lining of columnar epithelium

- becomes highly modified during pregnancy, forming glands (glycogen) and spiral arteries

Question 29

Perimetrium

Answer 29

Outer “serosal” layer

Question 30

Ligaments

Answer 30

– broad (spans the width of the uterus)
– round (perpendicular to the broad ligament)
– mesovarium
– ovarian
– suspensory

Question 31

Regions of the Uterus

Answer 31

• fundus: superior most, baglike area
• body: the longest part of the uterus
• cervix: the necklike region of the uterus that extends into the vagina
– internal and external os are the openings of the cervix
– surrounded by a proximal vaginal fold called the fornix

Question 32

Vagina

Answer 32

• a thin walled expandable tube posterior to the urethra and anterior to the rectum
• folded with rugae
• hymen a vascular covering to the vagina that must be breached for intercourse to occur

Question 33

External Genitalia

Answer 33

• Labia: 2 folds that protect the vestibule:
– major (dry skin with hair
– minor (moist mucus membrane)
• clitoris the homolog to the penis, contains erectile tissue, a glans, body and prepuce
• perineum: a diamond shaped region containing the urethral orifice, external genitalia, and anus