Reproductive System Flashcards
What is the primary reproductive system function?
Reproduction
What are the male and female gametes?
Sperm- male
Oocytes- female
What is the result of fertilization when the gametes have merged together?
A zygote
Where are gametes/hormones produced in the male?
Testes
Where are gametes/hormones produced in the female?
Ovaries
What are the components of the reproductive system?
Gonads (Testes/Ovaries)
Reproductive tract
Accessory glands
External genitalia
What are the principal structures of the male reproductive system?
Scrotum (Testis and epididymis)
Ductus deferens
Urethra- transports urine and seminal fluid
Glands- Seminal gland, Prostate gland, Bulbo-urethral gland
Penis
What are the three different regions of the male urethra?
Prostatic urethra
Membranous urethra
Spongy urethra
What should happen with the testes by birth?
The testes should both have descended into the scrotum by birth.
Cryptorchidism is the condition where one or both of the testes have failed to descend from the abdomen.
What temperature do sperm develop at?
Sperm develop at slightly below body temperature.
What are the contents of the spermatic cord?
Blood vessels, nerves, ductus deferens
Genitofemoral nerve, deferential artery, ductus deferens, pampiniform plexus, testicular artery
Where is the cremaster muscle located?
The cremaster muscle wraps around the spermatic cord and the corresponding testis.
What is the cremasteric reflex?
It involves rubbing the skin of the inner thigh and seeing a reflexive elevation of the ipsilateral testis.
What is located in between the seminiferous tubules?
Endocrine cells that produce testosterone (Leydig cells)
The Male Reproductive Tract- explain the epididymis, capacitation, ductus deferens, and urthra
The Epididymis
Capacitation- in order to fertilize an oocyte, spermatozoa must undergo this maturation process; involves biochemical modifications of the spermatozoa
Ductus Deferens (Vas Deferens)
Urethra
What does ejaculate material (semen) consist of?
Sperm cells
Seminal fluid:
- 60% from seminal vesicles
- 30% from the prostate
- 5% from the bulbo-urethral glands
- 5% from the epididymis
Enzymes
Anatomy of the Penis
Root
Body (shaft)
Glans penis
Erectile tissue and blood vessels- two posterior corpora cavernosa, one anterior corpus spongiosum
Erection of the penis
- Parasympathetic nerves are activated
- Smooth muscles in the arterial walls relax
- Arterial vessels and within the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum become engorged with blood
- Erection occurs
Semen release and ejaculation
Sympathetic activity- emission
Ejaculation- contractions of ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus
Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System
Ovaries
Uterine tubes (Fallopian tubes)
-Fimbriae
Uterus
- Cervix
Vagina
External genitalia
- Labia minor/majora, clitoris
Breasts
Structures you need to know- female reproductive system
Broad ligament
Fimbriae
Uterine tube
Components of the Ovaries
Broad ligament
Mesovarium
Ovarian ligament
Suspensory ligament
What three processes occur in the female reproductive system?
Oogenesis- oocytes
Ovarian cycle
Uterine cycle
Gross Anatomy of the Uterus
Body
Fundus
Uterine cavity
Isthmus
Internal os
Cervix
- Cervical canal
External os
Cervix is the site for what?
Pap smear: clinical test for cervical cancer in women
The Uterine Cycle
The menstrual cycle/menstruation/menses- process of shedding the uterine lining; preparation for possible pregnancy
Menarche- when menstruation occurs for the first time
Menopause- egg production (ovulation) stops
Three phases:
- Menstrual phase
- Proliferative phase
- Secretory phase
Menstrual phase
Start of a new cycle
Days 1-7
Ovulation
Day 14
What causes milk ejection from the breast?
Oxytocin secreted by the pituitary gland
Female Climacteric (Menopause)
Decline in estrogen levels results in:
- Reduced size of the uterus
- Reduced size of the breasts
- Thinning of the vaginal walls
- Weakening of the supportive tissues of the reproductive organs
- Osteroporosis
- Hot flashes
- Typically occurs at age 45-55
Male Climacteric
- Testosterone levels begin to decline (not as rapidly as estrogen however)
- Occurs gradually between ages 50 and 60)
- Reproduction in sexual activity
