Reproductive System Flashcards
List the three structures of the reproductive system and their function.
gonads = produce gametes and hormones
ducts = transport and store gametes
accessory glands = produce secretions that support gametes
what are the gonads of males?
testes
where are the testes located?
scrotum
what is the scrotum surrounded of?
tunica vaginalis
tunica albuginea
difference of tunica vaginalis and tunica albuginea
tunica vaginalis: outer serous membrane, derived from peritoneum
tunica albuginea: inner fibrous CT capsule, extends inward to divided testes into lobules
What do each lobules contain?
seminiferous tubules and Leydig Cells
What do the seminiferous tubules form when united?
rete testis
What do the seminiferous tubules produce?
sperm (spermatogenesis)
What is the other name for Sertoli cells
sustentocytes
Function of Sertoli cells (5)
surround developing gametes
support and nourish germ cells
protect sperm from immune system by forming blood-testis barrier
produce testicular fluid (for transport)
respond to follicle stimulating hormone
What are Leydig cells?
interstitial cells in CT between seminiferous tubules that secrete testosterone
Where are ducts found?
seminiferous tubules to rete testis
The duct system is composed of what? (4)
epididymis
vas deferens
ejaculatory duct
urethra
Function of the epididymis
store sperm and mature them
posterior border of the testis
Location of the epididymis
posterior border of the testis
Where can the vas deferens be found?
enters pelvic cavity and loops over posterior bladder
what can be done to the vas deferens
vasectomy
What does the spermatic cord contain?
vas deferens, nerves, blood, lymph vessels, muscle
What is formed by the union of vas deferens and duct from seminal vesicle?
ejaculatory duct
what are the three regions of the urethra?
prostatic
intermediate
penile (spongy)
List the locations of the three regions of the urethra.
prostatic = through prostate
intermediate = through urogenital diaphragm
penile = through corpus spongiosum of penis
Where does the penile open at?
glans penis
What are the three parts of the penis?
Root, body, glans penis
What are the three bodies of the erectile tissue?
2 corpora cavernosa
1 corpus spongiosum
Where is the corpora cavernosa located?
dorsal portion of the root and shaft
where is the corpus spongiosum found?
glans and the mid ventral portion of root and shaft surrounding the urethra
the accessory glans is mostly made up of what?
semen ~95%
how many seminal vesicles are there?
2
where are the seminal vesicles located? what is their function? what does it contain?
posterior to bladder
secretes alkaline fluid that contains fructose to nourish sperm
contains ~60% semen
where is the prostate gland found? what does it contain?
inferior to bladder and encircles prostatic urethra
contains ~30% semen
The bulbourethral is also known as?
Cowper’s Gland
Where is the Cowper’s gland located?
below prostate in urogenital diaphragm
What is the Cowper’s gland’s function?
-secrete thick alkaline mucus to neutralize acid urine in urethra
-lubrication
-contain ~5% semen
Where does the sperm production occur?
seminiferous tubules
what are the final sperms called? how many are there?
spermatozoa, 4
What do you call the differentiation of spermatids?
spermiogenesis
What does spermiogenesis do?
develop flagella and acrosomes
lose most cytoplasm
What are the three body parts of the spermatozoa
head, body, and tail
what is the head of the spermatozoa made up of?
-nucleus with 23 chromosomes
-acrosome on top of the nucleus that contains digestive enzymes that aid in penetrating the oocyte
what does the body of the spermatozoa contain?
a large number of mitochondria
what is the purpose of the flagellum? what is it made out of?
-to propel the sperm
-microtubules
how many semen is released at ejaculation?
2-5 mL that contains around 20-150 million sperm per mL
What is the pH of the semen?
7.2 - 7.6
What does the semen contain?
sperm, testicular fluid, and accessory gland secretions
What are the gonads if females called?
ovaries
where are ovaries located?
pelvic cavity on the lateral side of the uterus
what are the 4 layers if the ovaries?
ovarian mesothelium
tunica albuginea (fibrous CT)
ovarian cortex
ovarian medulla
What is the tunica albuginea made out of?
fibrous CT
What are ovarian follicles?
Found in the ovarian cortex which are layers of cells that surround an immature egg to provide support and protection
what does the ovarian medulla contain?
blood and lymph vessels, nerves, CT
the ovaries are held in place by: (3)
ovarian ligament
suspensory ligament
mesovarium
What is the broad ligament?
-suspensory + ovarium
-part of the parietal peritoneum
What are the three sections of uterine (fallopian) tubes?
infudibulum
ampulla
isthmus
what are the finger-like projections found in the infudibulum ?
fimbriae
where does fertilization occur?
ampulla
isthmus connects to what?
uterus
what is the mucosa of the uterine tubes made out of?
simple columnar epithelium with cilia or microvilli that secretes nutrient fluid
what is a uterus?
a hollow organ
what are the three parts of the uterus?
fundus
body
cervix
what opens to the vagina
cervix
name the three supportive membranes.
broad ligaments
round ligaments = fibrous CT attached to anterior wall
uterosacral ligaments = peritoneum attached to sacrum
What are the three layers of the uterus?
perimetrium
myometrium
endometrium
what does the endometrium contain?
endometrial glands that secrete a nutritive fluid
what are the two layers of the endometrium?
stratum functionalis
stratum basalis
what stratum sheds monthly?
stratum functionalis
what undergoes mitosis to replace functionalis and is permanent?
stratum basalis
what is the vagina’s function?
birth canal, passageway for sperm and/or menstrual flow
what are the three layers of the vagina?
mucosa, muscularis externa, adventitia (no serosa)
what is the gamete production of females called?
oogenesis
what does the primary oocyte form?
1 ovum and 2-3 polar bodies
what are polar bodies?
discarded nuclear material
how many oogonia are present in a 6 month fetus?
~7 million
at what phase are primary oocytes arrested?
meiosis, prophase I
how many oocytes remain at puberty?
~400,000
at what phase does the secondary oocyte begin? what phase does it gets arrested?
meiosis II, arrested in metaphase II
how many secondary oocyte are ovulated from puberty to menopause?
~500
What are the stages of follicular development?
- Primordial follicle
- Primary follicle
- Secondary follicle
- Vesicular follicle
- Corpus luteum
- Corpus albicans
What happens in the primordial follicle?
primary oocyte is surrounded by a single layer of flat follicular cells
What happens at primary follicle?
-single layer becomes cuboidal; now called granulosa cells that proliferate to become stratified
-secrete zona pellucida arround oocyte
- theca cells form from surrounding tissue
-can reach this stage anytime from birth to menopause
What happens at the secondary follicle?
-at puberty, ovarian cycles begin
-under influence of rising FSH, granulosa proliferate more and start to secrete fluid
-estrogen secretion
What happens at the vesicular follicle?
happening at the surface of the ovary in which the fluid filled spaces unite into a single large antrum
-estrogen triggers the release of leutinizing hornome that causes the completion of meiosis I and ovulation
What is corona radiata?
granulosa cells that still surround oocyte
what is ovulation
release of secondary oocyte from follicle to peritoneal cavity
What happens at corpus luteum?
follicle that remains after ovulation
produces high levels of estrogen and progesterone to support fetal development
What is the function of corpus albicans?
if there’s no pregnancy , the follicle degenerates into corpus albicans
scar tissue and no hormones are released
what are mammary glands?
modified swear glands that produces milk
what are the small compartments of the mammary glands and what do they contain?
lobules that contain alveoli which opens via duct at nipple
the mammary gland is surrounded by?
fat
where is the mammary gland attached to?
deep fascia (epimysium) by suspensory ligaments
