Reproductive System Anatomy Flashcards
What is the structure of the reproductive system?
Muscular ducts and associated glands form genitalia
What is the function of the reproductive system?
Produce gametes, allow gametes to meet for reproduction, provide hormones for development and maintenance of the body, allow sexual function
What is the function of external genitalia?
Protect internal genitalia, create a mechanism for sperm/egg interaction, provide sexual pleasure
What are the components of male external genitalia?
Scrotum, penis, glans, prepuce (foreskin)
What are the components of female external genitalia?
Vulva; labia minora/majora, clitoris
What is the function of the testes?
produce sperm and sex hormones (testosterone, inhibin)
Describe the path taken by sperm to exit the body
testes-epididymis-vas deferens-ejaculatory duct-prostatic urethra-spongy urethra-exit through external urethral orifice
What is the spermatic cord?
A projection of the vas deferens that contains the pampiniform plexus (blood supply to testes) and the cremaster muscle for thermoregulation of testes
What structures secrete seminal fluids?
Prostate gland, seminal vesicle, bulbourethral glands
What is the function of the ovaries?
Produce eggs and sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, inhibin)
Describe the path eggs take to exit the body
ovary-caught by fimbriae of fallopian tube-ampulla of fallopian tube-isthmus of fallopian tube-body of uterus-os of uterine cervix-vagina-exit through vaginal opening
What tissues hold the female internal genitalia in place?
broad ligament anchors uterus to pelvic floor, suspensory ligaments hold the ovaries to the body wall, ovarian ligaments keep ovaries close to fallopian tubes
What is the site of fertilization?
Ampulla of fallopian tube
Describe the histology of the testes
Coiled seminiferous tubules (walls make of sustentacular cells), connective tissues, interstitial cells
What are interstitial/Leydig cells?
cells that compose about 20% of the testes; testosterone-producing cells
What are sustentacular/Sertoli cells?
cells that make up the walls of the semeniferous tubules; support spermatogenesis and form blood-testes barrier
What is the blood-testes barrier?
Cell structure in the testes that prevents the immune system from attacking developing sperm
What are follicle cells?
Cells that surround eggs and secrete estrogen and progesterone
What type of cell develops into a mature follicle?
primordial follicle
What is the corpus luteum?
Structure formed in the ovaries after release of a mature follicle; if an embryo implants, a hormone that maintains it prevents it from shedding. If no implantation occurs, it dies and sheds triggering menses
What hormones contribute to the ovarian cycle?
FSH, LH, estrogen, progesterone
Where are the hormones of the ovarian cycle produced?
Ant. pit.- FSH, LH
Follicle cells- estrogen, progesterone
What cells bind FSH and LH?
Follicle cells; eggs also bind LH
What cells bind estrogen?
Uterine lining, mammary glands, brain, muscles, LOTS of different cells throughout the body
