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LSB142 Anatomy and Physiology > Reproductive System > Flashcards

Reproductive System Flashcards

1
Q

What is the reproductive system made of?

A

Gonads—primary sex organs ▪ Testes in males (testicles) ▪ Ovaries in females
Gonads produce gametes (sex cells) and secrete hormones ▪ Sperm—male gametes, male haploid cells that can fertilise an egg to make a zygote ▪ Ova (eggs)—female gametes

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2
Q

What is in the spermatic cord of the testes

A

▪ Each testis is connected to the trunk via the spermatic cord, which houses: Blood vessels ▪ Nerves ▪ Ductus deferens

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3
Q

Coverings of the testes

A

▪ Tunica albuginea—capsule that surrounds each testis

▪ Septa—extensions of the capsule that extend into the testis and divide it into lobules
Each lobule contains one to four seminiferous tubules ▪ Tightly coiled structures ▪ Function as sperm-forming factories

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4
Q

Components of duct system - male

A

Transports sperm from the body and includes:

  1. Epididymis
  2. Ductus deferens
  3. Urethra
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5
Q

Epididymis

A

▪ Highly convoluted tube 6 m (20 ft) long
▪ Found along the posterior lateral side of the testis
▪ First part of the male duct system
▪ Temporary storage site for immature sperm
▪ Sperm mature as they journey through the epididymis
▪ During ejaculation, sperm are propelled to the ductus deferens

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6
Q

Ductus deferens

A

▪ Runs from the epididymis via the spermatic cord through the inguinal canal and arches over the urinary bladder
▪ Ampulla—end of the ductus deferens, which empties into the ejaculatory duct
▪ Ejaculatory duct—passes through the prostate to merge with the urethra
▪ Moves sperm by peristalsis into the urethra
▪ Ejaculation—smooth muscle in the walls of the ductus deferens create peristaltic waves to squeeze sperm forward
▪ Vasectomy—cutting of the ductus deferens at the level of the testes prevents transportation of sperm (form of birth control)

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7
Q

Urethra - male

A

▪ Extends from the base of the urinary bladder to the tip of the penis
▪ Carries both urine and sperm
▪ Sperm enters from the ejaculatory duct

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8
Q

Accessory glands - males

A

▪ Seminal vesicles ▪ Prostate ▪ Bulbourethral glands

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9
Q

Seminal Vesicles

A

▪ Located at the base of the bladder
▪ Produce a thick, yellowish secretion (60% of semen) that contains: ▪ Fructose (sugar) ▪ Vitamin C ▪ Prostaglandins ▪ Other substances that nourish and activate sperm
▪ Duct of each seminal vesicle joins that of the ductus deferens on each side to form the ejaculatory duct

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10
Q

Prostate

A

▪ Encircles the upper (prostatic) part of the urethra, inferior to urinary bladder
▪ Secretes a milky fluid ▪ Helps to activate sperm ▪ Fluid enters the urethra through several small ducts

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11
Q

Bulbourethral glands

A

▪ Pea-sized glands inferior to the prostate
▪ Produce a thick, clear mucus ▪ Mucus cleanses the spongy (penile) urethra of acidic urine prior to ejaculation ▪ Mucus serves as a lubricant during sexual intercourse

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12
Q

Semen

A

Milky white mixture of sperm and accessory gland secretions
▪ Liquid portion acts as a transport medium to dilute sperm ▪ Sperm are streamlined cellular “tadpoles” ▪ Fructose provides energy for sperm cells ▪ Alkalinity of semen helps neutralize the acidic environment of vagina ▪ Semen inhibits bacteria

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13
Q

What are the male external genitals

A

Scrotum and Penis

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14
Q

Scrotum

A

▪ Divided sac of skin outside the abdomen that houses the testes, between the legs
Hangs loosely
▪ Viable sperm cannot be produced at normal body temperature
▪ Maintains testes at 3°C lower than normal body temperature
This is necessary for production of healthy sperm. If it is too cold, it is pushed closer to the body wall.

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15
Q

Penis

A

▪ Male organ of copulation that delivers sperm into the female reproductive tract
Regions of the penis: ▪ Shaft ▪ Glans penis (enlarged tip) ▪ Prepuce (foreskin) ▪ Folded cuff of skin around proximal end ▪ Often removed by circumcision
▪ Internally there are three areas of spongy erectile tissue around the urethra
▪ Erections occur when this erectile tissue fills with blood during sexual excitement

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16
Q

What is Spermatogenesis

A

▪ Sperm production - Begins at puberty and continues throughout life ▪ Millions of sperm are made every day
Sperm are formed in the seminiferous tubules of the testis
▪ Spermatogonia (primitive stem cells) begin the process by dividing (mitotic division) rapidly to build up stem cell line ▪ During puberty, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is secreted in increasing amount by the anterior pituitary gland

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17
Q

Each division of a spermatogonium stem cell produces

A

▪ Type A daughter cell, a stem cell, that continues the stem cell population, remains in seminephorous tubules
▪ Type B daughter cell, pushed towards tubule lumen and which becomes a primary spermatocyte, destined to undergo meiosis and form four sperm

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18
Q

Meiosis

A

▪ Special type of nuclear division that differs from mitosis
▪ Occurs in the gonads
▪ Includes two successive divisions of the nucleus (meiosis I and II)
▪ Results in four daughter cells (gametes)
Gametes are spermatids with 23 chromosomes ▪ 23 chromosomes are half the usual 46 found in other body cells ▪ 23 is known as the haploid number (n)—half the genetic material as other body cells
▪ Union of a sperm (23 chromosomes, n) with an egg (23 chromosomes, n) creates a zygote (2n, or 46 chromosomes)

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19
Q

Spermiogenesis

A

▪ Spermatids are nonmotile and not functional as sperm
Only half as much genetic materials than other body cells (23 chromosomes)
▪ A streamlining process is needed to strip excess cytoplasm from a spermatid and modify it into a sperm
▪ A sperm has three regions: head, midpiece, tail
▪ Acrosome sits anterior to the sperm head (nucleus)
▪ The entire process of spermatogenesis, including spermiogenesis, takes 64 to 72 days

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20
Q

Process of testosterone production

A
  1. The hypothalamus releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
  2. GnRH stimulates the anterior pituitary to release gonadotropins —FSH and LH.
  3. FSH stimulates spermatogonia to produce sperm.
  4. LH stimulates the interstitial cells to release testosterone, which serves as the final trigger for spermatogenesis. Testosterone then enhances spermatogenesis.
  5. The rising level of testosterone exerts negative feedback control on the hypothalamus and pituitary
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21
Q

What is testosterone and its secondary sex-characteristics

A

▪ Most important hormonal product of the testes
▪ Stimulates reproductive organ development
▪ Underlies sex drive
Causes secondary sex characteristics (non-reproductive organs):
▪ Deepening of voice
▪ Increased hair growth, in the axillary, pubic and facial region
▪ Enlargement of skeletal muscles
▪ Increased bone growth and density

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22
Q

Anatomy of the female reproductive system

A

▪ Ovaries ▪ Duct system ▪ Uterine (fallopian) tubes ▪ Uterus ▪ Vagina ▪ External genitalia

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23
Q

Ovaries

A

▪ Produce eggs (ova) and hormones (estrogen and progesterone)
Does not contain ducts
Each ovary houses ovarian follicles consisting of:
▪ Oocyte (immature egg) ▪ Follicle cells—layers of different cells that surround the oocyte

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24
Q

Ovarian follicles

A

Primorteal follicles – most plentiful and least mature. Single layer of cells surrounding the oocyte
▪ Primary follicle—contains an immature oocyte. Slightly larger than primorteal follicles
▪ Vesicular/ secondary (Graafian) follicle—growing follicle with a maturing oocyte.
▪ Ovulation—the follicle ruptures when the egg is mature and ready to be ejected from the ovary; occurs about every 28 days
▪ The ruptured follicle is transformed into a corpus luteum, which eventually degenerates

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25
Q

Ovary support

A

▪ Suspensory ligaments secure the ovaries to the lateral walls of the pelvis
▪ Ovarian ligaments anchor ovaries to the uterus medially
▪ Broad ligaments, a fold of peritoneum, enclose and hold the ovaries in place

26
Q

Components of the female duct system

A

▪ Uterine (fallopian) tubes ▪ Uterus ▪ Vagina

27
Q

What is the uterine fallopian tubes

A

▪ Form the initial part of the duct system
▪ Receive the ovulated oocyte from the ovaries
▪ Provide a site for fertilization
▪ Empty into the uterus
▪ Little or no contact between ovaries and uterine tubes
▪ Supported and enclosed by the broad ligament

28
Q

Structure of uterine fallopian tubes

A

Infundibulum ▪ Distal, funnel-shaped end
Fimbriae ▪ Fingerlike projections of the infundibulum ▪ Receive the oocyte from the ovary ▪ Cilia located inside the uterine tube transport the oocyte

29
Q

What is the uterus

A

▪ Situated between the urinary bladder and rectum
▪ Size and shape of a pear, in a woman who has never been pregnant
▪ Receives, retains, nourishes a fertilized egg
Expel foetus by forceful muscular contractions

30
Q

Regions of the uterus

A

▪ Body—main portion, holds foetus
▪ Fundus—superior rounded region above where uterine tube enters
▪ Cervix—narrow outlet that protrudes into the vagina

31
Q

Layers/walls of the uterus

A

▪ Endometrium ▪ Inner layer (epithelial cells, connective tissue and mucosa) ▪ Site of implantation of a fertilized egg ▪ Sloughs off if no pregnancy occurs (menstruation or menses) every 28 days - menstruation
▪ Myometrium is the middle layer of smooth muscle that contracts during labour, thick
▪ Perimetrium (visceral peritoneum) is the outermost serous layer of the uterus, flexible

32
Q

Vagina

A

▪ Passageway that extends from cervix to exterior of body and is located between urinary bladder and rectum
▪ Serves as the canal that allows a baby or menstrual flow to leave the body
▪ Female organ of copulation
▪ Receives the penis during sexual intercourse
▪ Hymen—partially closes the vagina until it is ruptured

33
Q

Parts of the Female external genitalia

A

▪ Mons pubis ▪ Labia ▪ Clitoris ▪ Urethral orifice ▪ Vaginal orifice ▪ Greater vestibular glands

34
Q

Mons pubis

A

▪ Fatty area overlying the pubic symphysis ▪ Covered with pubic hair after puberty

35
Q

Labia - skin folds

A

▪ Labia majora ▪ Hair-covered skin folds ▪ Enclose the labia minora ▪ Also encloses the vestibule
▪ Labia minora—delicate, hair-free folds of skin

36
Q

Vestibule

A

▪ Enclosed by labia majora ▪ Contains external openings of the urethra and vagina

37
Q

Greater Vestibular glands

A

▪ One is found on each side of the vagina ▪ Secretions lubricate vagina during intercourse

38
Q

Clitoris

A

▪ Contains erectile tissue
▪ Corresponds to the male penis
The clitoris is similar to the penis in that it is: ▪ Hooded by a prepuce ▪ Composed of sensitive erectile tissue ▪ Swollen with blood during sexual excitement
▪ The clitoris lacks a reproductive duct

39
Q

Perineum

A

▪ Diamond-shaped region between the anterior ends of the labial folds, anus posteriorly, and ischial tuberosities laterally

40
Q

Oogenesis and ovarian cycle

A

Oogenesis is the process of producing ova (eggs) in a female
▪ Oogonia are female stem cells found in a developing fetus
▪ Oogonia undergo mitosis to produce primary oocytes that are surrounded by cells that form primary follicles in the ovary
▪ Primary oocytes are inactive until puberty
▪ Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) causes some primary follicles to mature each month
▪ Cyclic monthly changes constitute the ovarian cycle
Meiosis starts inside maturing follicle ▪ First meiotic division produces a larger secondary oocyte and a smaller first polar body ▪ A vesicular follicle contains a secondary oocyte (maturation from a primary follicle takes about 14 days)
▪ Ovulation of a secondary oocyte occurs with the release of luteinizing hormone (LH)
▪ Secondary oocyte is released and surrounded by a corona radiata
▪ Meiosis is completed after ovulation only if sperm penetrates the oocyte ▪ Ovum is produced ▪ Two additional polar bodies are produced
▪ Once ovum is formed, the 23 chromosomes can be combined with the 23 chromosomes of the sperm to form the fertilized egg (zygote)
▪ If the secondary oocyte is not penetrated by a sperm, it dies and does not complete meiosis to form an ovum

41
Q

Difference between meiosis in males and females

A

▪ Males—produces four functional sperm ▪ Females—produces one functional ovum and three tiny polar bodies

42
Q

Sex cell size and structure

A

▪ Sperm are tiny, motile, and equipped with nutrients in seminal fluid
▪ Egg is large, is nonmotile, and has nutrient reserves to nourish the embryo until implantation

43
Q

Estrogen

A

▪ Estrogens are produced by follicle cells
Cause secondary sex characteristics:
▪ Enlargement of accessory organs of the female reproductive system ▪ Development of breasts ▪ Appearance of axillary and pubic hair ▪ Increase in fat beneath the skin, particularly in hips and breasts ▪ Widening and lightening of the pelvis ▪ Onset of menses (menstrual cycle)

44
Q

Progesterone

A

▪ Production continues until LH diminishes in the blood
▪ Does not contribute to the appearance of secondary sex characteristics
▪ Other major effects: Helps maintain pregnancy ▪ Prepares the breasts for milk production

45
Q

Uterine menstrual cycle

A

▪ Cyclic changes of the endometrium, about 28 days in length
▪ Regulated by cyclic production of estrogens and progesterone by the ovaries
▪ FSH and LH, from the anterior pituitary, regulate the production of estrogens and progesterone by the ovaries
▪ Ovulation typically occurs about midway through cycle, on day 14

46
Q

What are the stages of the menstrual cycle

A

▪ Menstrual phase ▪ Proliferative stage ▪ Secretory stage

47
Q

Menstrual phase

A

Day 1-5: menstrual phase
▪ Functional layer of the endometrium is sloughed
▪ Bleeding occurs for 3 to 5 days
▪ Ovarian hormones are at their lowest levels
▪ By day 5, growing ovarian follicles are producing more estrogen

48
Q

Proliferative stage

A

Day 6-14: proliferative stage
▪ Regeneration of functional layer of the endometrium ▪ Endometrium is repaired, thickens, and becomes well vascularized
▪ Estrogen levels rise
▪ Ovulation occurs in the ovary at the end of this stage

49
Q

Secretory phase

A

▪ Levels of progesterone rise and increase the blood supply to the endometrium, which becomes more vascular ▪ Endometrium increases in size and readies for implantation
▪ If fertilization does occur: ▪ Embryo produces a hormone that causes the corpus luteum to continue producing its hormones
▪ If fertilization does NOT occur: ▪ Corpus luteum degenerates as LH blood levels decline ▪ The phases are repeated about every 28 days

50
Q

What are mammary glands

A

▪ Present in both sexes, but function only in females
▪ Modified sweat glands
▪ Function is to produce milk to nourish a newborn
▪ Stimulated by sex hormones (mostly estrogens) to increase in size

51
Q

Components of the mammary gland

A

▪ Areola—central pigmented area, surrounds nipple
▪ Nipple—protruding central area of areola
▪ Lobes—internal structures that radiate around nipple
▪ Lobules—located within each lobe and contain clusters of alveolar glands
▪ Alveolar glands—produce milk when a woman is lactating (producing milk)
▪ Lactiferous ducts—connect alveolar glands to nipple
▪ Lactiferous sinus—dilated portion where milk accumulates

52
Q

Pregnancy and embryonic development

A

▪ Pregnancy—time from fertilization until infant is born
▪ Conceptus—developing offspring ▪ Embryo—period of time from fertilization until week 8 ▪ Fetus—week 9 until birth
▪ Gestation period—from date of last period until birth (approximately 280 days)

53
Q

How to accomplish fertilisation

A

▪ An oocyte is viable up to 24 hours after ovulation
▪ Sperm are viable up to 48 hours after ejaculation ▪ For fertilization to occur, sexual intercourse must occur no more than 2 days before ovulation and no later than 24 hours after
▪ Sperm cells must make their way to the uterine tube for fertilization to be possible ▪ Sperm cells are attracted to the oocyte by chemicals

54
Q

What happens when sperm reaches the oocyte

A

▪ Enzymes break down the follicle cells of the corona radiata around the oocyte
▪ Sperm undergo an acrosomal reaction
▪ Membrane receptors on the oocyte pull in the head of the first sperm cell to make contact
▪ Oocyte undergoes second meiotic division to produce an ovum and a polar body
▪ Fertilization occurs when the genetic material of a sperm combines with that of an oocyte
Zygote is the first cell of the new individual

55
Q

Male infertility

A
  1. Insufficient healthy term

2. Inability of sperm to be released

56
Q

Female infertility

A
  1. Failure to ovulate
  2. Inability of egg to reach uterine tube and travel to uterus
  3. Unsuccessful implantation
57
Q

Treatment for infertility

A
  1. Lifestyle changes – consuming less alcohol and tobacco, drugs
  2. Reducing stress
  3. Drugs to induce ovulation
  4. Surgery to correct anatomical abnormalities
58
Q

HIV and AIDS

A

the deadliest, acquired immune deficiency syndrome caused by human immune deficiency virus

59
Q

Gonorrhea

A

pain during urination, unusual discharge of fluid from penis or vagina or no symptom

60
Q

Chlamydia

A

no symptom, infertility, bacterial infection, aptopic pregnancy

61
Q

Genital Herpes

A

herpes symplex virus. May cause blisters or sores around mouth or genital. No cure and condition is manageable with anti viral drugs

62
Q

Common cancers of the reproductive system

A

prostate, breast, uterine, ovarian, cervical

LSB142 Anatomy and Physiology (15 decks)

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