reproductive questions Flashcards
- What general structures are found in both male and female reproductive systems?
Gonads
Ducts
Accessory glands/organs
External genitalia
- What are the general functions of the gonads?
Production/maturation of gametes
Production of hormones
- What are the contents of the spermatic cord?
Arteries
Veins
Lymphatics
Ductus deferens
- Describe the two muscles of the scrotum.
Dartos muscle:
Outer smooth muscle layer
Produces the tone and wrinkled appearance of the scrotum
Cremaster muscle:
Inner skeletal muscle layer
Draws testes against body for warmth or during sexual arousal
- What tissue makes up the bulk of the testes?
Seminiferous tubules
- Describe the morphology of the mature sperm cell.
Head – contains genetic material
Neck – contains mitochondria
Tail – the flagellum
- How many cell divisions are required to generate mature spermatozoa?
Three: one mitosis and two meiosis
- List, in order, the ducts through which spermatozoa travel.
Seminiferous tubules Straight tubules Rete testes Collecting ducts Ductus deferens Ejaculatory duct Urethra
- What event finally elicits full function of the sperm flagellum?
Exposure to seminal fluid
- Name the three accessory glands of the male reproductive system.
Seminal vesicles
Prostate gland
Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) gland
- What important products are found in secretions of the seminal vesicles?
Fructose
Prostaglandins
fibrinogen
- The release of what chemical compound causes penile erection?
Nitric oxide (NO)
- What part of the female reproductive system is most similar to the male?
Clitoris – penis
Ovary - testicle
- What hormones are produced by the ovaries?
Estrogens
Progesterone
Inhibin
- Name two portions of the mesentery that support the female reproductive system.
Broad ligament
Mesovarium
- What are the stages of follicle development?
Primordial follicle
Primary follicle
Secondary follicle
Tertiary (Graafian) follicle
- What anatomical change marks the maturation from one stage of follicle development to the next?
Primordial – primary follicle:
Squamous epi – cuboidal plus appearance of granulosa cells and zona pelucida
Primary – secondary follicle:
Appearance of antrum and follicular fluid
Secondary – tertiary follicle:
Oocyte breaks free of follicle wall
- How many cell divisions are required to generate mature oocytes?
Three: one mitosis and two meiosis
- When do those cell divisions occur?
Mitosis – occurs before birth to generate the final number of primordial follicles
Meiosis 1 – starts during gestation, but is frozen at prophase; this meiosis continues selectively after puberty
Meiosis 2 – frozen in metaphase at ovulation, completed at fertilization
- What event marks the final maturation of the oocyte?
Fertilization
- What are the two phases of the ovarian cycle?
Follicular phase
Luteal phase
- What hormone is produced during the luteal phase, what is it’s function, and what is the source of this hormone?
Progesterone
Prepares uterus for implantation
Cholesterol from corpus luteum (follicular and thecal luteal cells)
- How are oocytes transported through the uterine tubes?
Ciliary action
Peristaltic contractions
- Describe the difference between vaginal epithelia and other parts of the female reproductive system.
vagina = mildly keratinized, stratified squamous epithelium, with folds (rugae) Others = simple columnar (some ciliated, some glandular)
- What accessory gland in the female is the equivalent of the male prostate gland.
Paraurethral glands, AKA Skene’s glands or lesser vestibular glands
