Reproductive System Flashcards
what’s the function for a male reproductive system?
to produce and store sperm and then discharge it into a female to fertilise the egg.
what’s structure of the male reproductive system?
prostate gland
vas deferens
epididymis
testes
urethra
penis
bulbus glandis
describe the prostate gland.
adds secretions to the sperm as it passes along the vas deferens which contains fructose and enzymes which combined with the sperm where the fluid forms semen that carries sperm into the females reproductive tract where ova can be fertilised
describe the vas deferens.
tubes that carry sperm away from the testes
describe the epididymis.
where the sperm matures and is stored
describe the testes.
where the sperm is produced, made up of thousands of small tubes
describe the urethra.
tube that carries sperm, semen and urine
describe the penis.
located on the outside of the body, semen and urine can pass through
describe the bulbus glandis.
called a knot, is an erectile tissue structure on the penis of canid mammals, during copulation the tissue becomes enlarged and locks the male to the female
how do penis differ between species?
they correspond to the shape of the females vagina.
what’s an os penis?
a bone present in some species like cats and dogs to maintain an erection
what are the three columns of erectile tissue?
urethra, bulbus glandis, os penis.
what is the female reproductive system designed for?
to make eggs, provide perfect environment for fertilisation, protection and care for the foetus until birth.
what does the female reproductive system consist of?
ovaries, oviduct, uterus, cervix, vagina, vulva.
describe the ovaries.
the egg, hormones (oestrogen & progesterone) are made here
describe the oviduct.
egg is released from ovary and passed into here where fertilisation occurs, the fertilised egg travels down oviduct to the uterus where it implants in the uterus lining (pregnancy)
describe the uterus.
thick muscular structure where fertilised egg implants, it stretches to accommodate the growth of the foetus and late contracts to expel the foetus at birth. made up of uterine horns and body (shape varies with species)
describe the cervix.
a muscular barrier to seal the uterus which provides protection for the reproductive system from infection
describe the vagina.
shaped to fit the penis during mating, produces acidic mucus to kill bacteria and prevent infection
describe the vulva.
external part of the female reproductive system, in some species the vulva swells up ad is visual sign of oestrous which shows the male they are ready to mate.
what’s the role of the placenta?
provides a connection between the foetus and maternal tissue to provide nutrition, respiration, digestion, protection and excretion. its a temporary organ that develops along with the foetus along with the foetus and is attached to the uterus. contains both foetal (from umbilical cord) and maternal (from uterine wall) blood vessels
what are the different layers of the uterus, describe them?
- perimetrium - supports shape of uterus
- myometrium - muscular layer that contracts
- endometrium - forms inner layer and where implantation occurs
what are the different shapes of the uterus? (species dependent)
- duplex (rabbit) - 2 uterine horns, 2 cervices, 1 vagina.
- bicornuate (pig) - 2 uterine horns (long), common uterine body, 1 cervix.
- bipartite (cow) - smaller uterine horns.