Reproductive system Flashcards
define sex:
biological characteristics that define humans as female or male
define intersex:
people born with physical/ biological sex characteristics not fitting traditional male/female
general function of reproductive organs:
- produce gametes
- for fertilisation
- females: growth of embryo and fetus
male reproductive organs: grouped based on function
- gonads
- ducts
- accessory sex glands
- supporting structures
male reproductive organs: gonads
testes
male reproductive organs: ducts
- epididymis
- ductus (vas) deferens
- ejaculatory ducts
- urethra
male reproductive organs: accessory sex glands
- seminal vesicles
- prostate glands
- bulbourethral glands
male reproductive organs: supporting structures
penis, scrotum
copulatory organs
scrotum: physical features
- highly pigmented skin
- highly vascular
- scrotum internally divided - scrotal septum
- externally divided- scrotal raphe
scrotum: name musculature
dartos muscle,
cremaster muscle
scrotum: dartos muscle
- smooth muscle
- wrinkles/relaxes skin of scrotum
scrotum: cremaster muscle
- skeletal muscle
- elevates/ lowers testes
testes: general features
oval paired glands
- produce sperm and hormonse
testes: covered by
serous covering: tunica vaginalis (extension of peritoneum)
fibrous capsule: tunica albuginea (DICT)
testes: tunica albuginea
extends inwards, divides tested into lobules
testes: lobules contains, and pathway
- contain 2-3 seminiferous tubules
rete testis-> efferent ducts -> ductus epidiymis
testes: seminiferous tubules features
- produce sperm
- enveloped by loose ct rich in blood, lymphatic vessels, nerves
seminiferous tubules cell types: eg
spermatogenic cells (form sperm) - Sertoli cells (sustentacular cells- support, protection, nourishment)
Leydid cells:
found in btw seminiferous tubules ,
- produce testosterone
epididymis: features
- located on posterior border of each testis
- has head, body, tail
- highly coiled tube, enveloped by smooth m. cells
- Psudostratified columnar epithelium- stereocilia
- site of sperm maturation -> acquire motility, ability to fertilise
epididymis: storage of sperm:
- several months
- phagocytised if not used
- sperm propelled into ductus (vas) deferens during arousal: peristaltic movements of smooth m.
ductus deferens: features
continuation of duct of epididymis: conveys sperm to urethra, stores sperm
ductus deferens: ampulla
- dilated terminal portion of ductus deferens
- ends: joining duct of seminal gland = ejaculatory duct (carries sperm to urethra)
ductus deferens: two layers and features
mucosa: PCE
muscularis: thick muscular wall, 3 layers of muscle -> firm cordlike
spermatic cord: features
- supporting structures of male reproductive system
features:
- ductus deferens
- testicular artery
- veins (pampiniform plexuses)
- nerves
- lymphatics
accessory sex glands: seminal vesicles features: location, secretions, %
- located posterior to base of urinary bladder
- secretes alkaline fluid, high in fructose (energy source for sperm, neutralise acidic env. male urethra, female reproductive tract)
- secretes clotting agents too, mix with sperm-> no leaking out
- 60% of semen
- unites with ampulla (ductus deferens) = ejaculatory duct opening in prostatic urethra
accessory sex glands: prostate - location, secretion, features
- inferior to urinary bladder
- surrounds prostatic urethra
milky, slightly acidic secretion: (activates sperm)
- citric acid (ATP)
- protein digesting enzymes
- 25% semen
prostate: cells
- collection of tubuloacinar glands (cuboidal, p.columnar epithelium)
- fibromuscular stroma
- surrounded by fibroelastic capsule which penetrates through gland = septa