Reproductive Flashcards
Penis
3 Columns of erectile tissue
Blood filling these columns results in the erection
2 Columns = Corpora Cavernosa
Dorsal and Lateral
Column sorrounding urethra = Corpus Spongiosum (Ventral)
Cap is the “glans penis” comprised of corpus spongiosum
Penis + Glans Penis in particular aare loaded with sensory receptors
Scrotum
Three layered Sac that contains the testes
(Epitheleal, Loose Connective, Smooth Muscle)
Divided into 2 compartments internally
Dartos Muscle - Smooth Muscle Layer
Shrinks size of scrotum when contracted
Creamaster Muscle - Extension of the abdominal Wall
Pulls testes closer to body when contracted
Testes
Best @ 95° instead of 98.6°
Made mostly of seminiferous tubules
Each is ~700 ft. in length
FSH stimulates production of sperm on outside and sperm migrate internally during 2-3 week development cycle
Leydig Cells
The interstitial Cells of the testicle
Produce testosterone for secondary sex characteristics, and growth and maturation of sperm
Stimulated by LH
(Formerly Known as I.C.S.H.)
Sertoli Cells
Form blood/testes barrier
(Sperm Have Surface Antigens)
Support and Protect normal sperm
Eat and Digest defective Sperm
Control release of sperm into seminiferous tubules
Secrete Inhibin to regulate sperm production
Epididymus
Sperm Finish maturing, get tails, and become fertile here
Stay up to 4 weeks before being removed
Lined with psuedostratified ciliated columnar epithelium and smooth muscle
Vas Deferens
Lined with psuedostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
Propels sperm to ejaculatory duct (Meets seminal vesicles) during ejaculation
Enclosed within the spermatic cord
Seminal Vesicles
Secrete a high fructose solution
Comprises 60% total semen volume
Prostate
Secretes Acidic solution to nourish and activate sperm
Comprises 30% total semen volume
Hypertrophy of the prostate is common in middle to older aged men
Constricts or Blocks Urethra
Makes Urination very Difficult
Bulbourethral Glands
Produce a thick, clear mucus to clean out urethra prior to the entrance of semen
Neutralizes acid in urethra and Vagina
Provides Some Lubricaion
5% Total Semen
Characteristics of Semen
2.5-5 ml per ejaculation is normal
pH = 7.2-7.6
50-150 million sperm per ml is normal
<25 million/ml is considered infertile
Hormonal Control
Male Reproductive
LH - Stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone
FSH - Stimulate Sertoli Cells to produce sperm
Spermatogenisis - Only occurs in the prescence of testosterone
Ovaries
Twice the size of an almond
Held in place by 3 ligaments
Broad, Ovary, + Suspensory
Produces Estrogen, progesterone, relaxin, and Inhibin
Born with all oocytes they will ever have (~700,000)
Fallopian Tubes
Roughly 13 cm long each (5 in.)
Transports egg from ovary to uterus
Fimembrane at ends create currents that gently sweep eggs into tube
Tubes are lined with cilia and mucus
Egg Travels + Fertilization
Generally takes 7 days to reach uterus
Must be fertilized in upper 1/3 of fallopian tube during 24 hours after ovulation
Ectopic Pregnancy
Implantation of fertilized eggs anywhere outside of uterus
Can be in the tubes, abdominal cavity, on ligaments, etc.
Can be very dangerous to mother
Uterus
Hollow pear shaped organ
Composed of 3 regions
Fundus - Above fallopian tubes
Body - Main body of Uterus
Cervix - Base, wehre pap smears are taken
Three Layers of the Uterus
Peirmetrium - Composed of connective tissue
Myometrium - Composed of smooth muscle
Endometrium - Shed every 28 days; secretes fluids to nourish zygote + sperm during fertilizaiton
Vagina
Extends from uterus to outside body
Part of Cervix extends to vagina
Walls consist of outer muscular layer and mucus membrane internally
Can be stretched to accomodate penis during intercourse and during childbirth
Vestibule
Space that the vagina and urethra open into
Labia Minora
Thin skin folds that border vestibule (Unite ant. to form prepuce)
Labia Majora
Prominant rounded skin folds lateral to labia minora (Unite ant. to form mons pubis over pubic symphysis)
Clitoris
Small erectile Tissue located directly posterior to the prepuce
Highly infused with sensory receptors
Developmentally same structure as penis
Prepuce is developmentally similar to foreskin
Follicle Development and Ovulation
Oocytes are sorrounded by granulosa cells
This Complex is called a follicle
FSH causes the development of follicle
Antrum - fluid-filled middle portion of the follicle
Ovulation - Release of the egg from the follicle
Corpus Luteum - Remaining cells of follicle (Releases Progesterone, some estrogen)
