Reproductive Systems Flashcards
Male Reproductive System
scrotum: skin and superficial fascia which surround the testes and epididymus
position of testes in scrotum provides an environment 3.1 degrees centigrade cooler than core body temperature for proper sperm development
dartos muscle: layer of smooth muscle responsible for wrinkling the scrotal skin
cremaster muscle: bands of skeletal muscle which contract to elevate the testes and relax to lower the testes
Blood Vessels and Nerves
testicular arteries supply blood to testes
testicular veins form the pampiniform plexus which surrounds testicular arteries and absorb heat from these arteries which helps cool the testes
testes innervated by parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions of ANS
The Spermatic Cord
the inferior part of the spermatic cord lies in teh scrotum and the superior part runs through the inguinal canal, an obliquely oriented trough in the anterior abdominal wall
spermatic cord contains: portion of ductus deferens, testicular blood vessels (artery and vein pampiniform plexus), nerves
The Testes and Epididymis
tunica vaginalis: serous sac in which the testes and epididymis are partially enclosed
tunica albuginea: fibrous capsule of the testes
septal extensions o fhte tunica albuginea divides each testis into 250-300 wedge-shaped lobules which contain seminiferous tubules
Sequence of Structures Sperm Passes Through From Site of Sperm Production to Urethra
seminiferous tubules straight tubules (tubuli recti) rete testes efferent ductules epididymis head epididymis body (ductus) epididymis tail ductus (vas) deferens ejaculatory ducts urethra
Epithelia From Testes to Vas Deferens
seminiferous tubules: stratified epithelium
straight tubules (tubuli recti): simple cuboidal epithelium
rete testes: simple cuboidal epithelium
efferent ductules: simple columnar epithelium
epididymis: mainly tall columnar pseudostratified epithelium with stereocilia
ductus (vas) deferens: mainly columnar pseudostratified epithelium
Seminiferous Tubules
separated by areolar connective tissue
has stratified epithelium which consists of:
spermatogenic cells: sperm-forming cells (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids) form 400 million sperm per day
columnar sustentocyte (Sertoli cells): support cells which provide nutrients to sperm, secrete androgen-binding protein, and have tight junctions which form the blood-testes border
Myoid Cells
several layers of smooth muscle like myoid cells surround seminiferous tubules and contract rhythmically to help squeeze sperm and testicular fluid through the tubulues into the epididymis
Interstitial (Leydig) Cells
located in loose connective tissue in between seminiferous tubules secrete androgens (mainly testosterone)
The Epididymis
comma shaped organ that arches over the posterior and lateral side of the testis
duct of epididymis is 6 meteres long (when uncoiled)
sperm mature in epididymis
the luminal surface bears tufts of stereocilia whcih are long immotile microvilli provide a large surface area to reabsorb testicular fluid and transfer nutrients and secretions to the development sperm
with ejaculation, sperm from as far down as the epididymis tail are projected through the ductus (vas) deferens, ejaculatory ducts, and urethra
The Ductus (Vas) Deferens
thick muscularis with three layers of muscle to facilitate movement of sperm and generates strong peristaltic waves during orgasm that rapidly propel sperm through the ductus deferens to the urethra
Ejaculatory Duct
the distal end of the ductus deferens forms ampulla which joins with the seminal vesicle gland duct to form the ejaculatory duct
each ejaculatory duct runs into the prostate
accessory sex glands (seminal vesicle gland, prostate, and bulbourethra glands) provide seminal plasma which mixes with sperm
The Urethra
sperm moves from ejaculatory ducts through urethra
three parts of male urethra: prostatic urethra in prostate, membranous urethra in urogenital diaphragm, spongy urethra in penis, urethra orifice
The Male Perineum
contains: scrotum, root of penis, anus
diamond-shaped area between pubic symphysis anteriorly, coccyx posteriorly, ischial tuberosities laterally
The Penis (External Anatomy)
shaft: body
glans penis: distal expanded end
prepuce: foreskin which is removed during circumcision
Erectile Bodes
engorge with blood to enable male to have an erection
one corpus spongiosum which surrounds spongy urethra
two coropora cavernosa that contain blood sinuses and make up most of the penis volume
Male Sexual Response
erection: parasympathetic control which causes blood to engorge the penis
ejaculation: sympathetic control which causes smooth muscle to contract throughout reproductive ducts and glands
during ejaculation the bulbospongiosus skeletal muscle of the penis contracts
Female Reproductive System
produces gametes (ova) prepares to support a developing embryo undergoes changes according to the menstrual cycle includes: ovaries, uterine (fallopian) tubes, uterus, vagina
The Ovaries
ovaries are small, almond-shaped organs which produce ova
held in place by ligaments and mesenteries: mesovarium of broad ligament, suspensory ligament of ovary, ovarian ligament
The Ovaries (Internal Structure)
tunica albuginea: fibrous capsule of the ovary covered in simple columnar epithelium
ovarian cortex: contains follicles (multicellular sacs) which house developing oocytes
granulosa cells: in developing follicles produces estrogen before ovulation
graafian follicle: mature follicle from which ova is released (ovulated)
after ovulation, corpus luteum develops from follicle and produces progesterone and estrogen during weeks 3 & 4 of mestrual cycle
ovarian medulla: loose connective tissue
The Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes
receive ovulated oocyte
oocyte is moved by peristaltic waves of smooth muscle and beating cilia of the simple columnar epithelium lining the ridges of the lumen
parts of the uterine (fallopian) tube: infundibulum (distal end of uterine tube, surrounded by fimbrae), ampulla (middle part of uterine tube, usual site of fertilization), isthmus (medial part of uterine tube next to uterus)
The Uterus
lies anterior to rectum, posterior to bladder
parts of the uterus: fundus (rounded superior portion), body of uterus, cervix (“neck of uterus”) containing:
cervical canal (communicated with vagina inferiorly)
internal os (opening connecting with uterine cavity)
external os (inferior opening of cervix)
Supports of the Uterus
mesometrium: part of broad ligament, anchors uterus to lateral pelvic walls
lateral ligaments: horizontal from cervix and vagina
round ligaments: bind uterus to the anterior pelvic wall
uterosacral ligaments: attached to anterior sacrum
Uterine Wall (Composition)
perimetrium: outer serous membrane layer
myometrium: the bulky middle layer of smooth muscle which produces contractions during labor and delivery
endometrium: inner mucosal lining of uterine chamber with simple columnar epithelium with secretory and ciliated cells; where implantation of embryo occurs
Endometrium (Layers)
functional layer: undergoes cyclic changes during menstrual cycle in response to ovarian hormones and is shed during menstruation and then is regenerated
basal layer: thin layer that is not shed and is responsible for forming new functional layer after menstruation
straight tubular uterine glands: change in length as the endometrium thickens and thins
Uterine Wall
uterine arteries: send branches to the uterine wall which branch into arcuate arteries which branch into radial arteries
radial arteries reach the endometrium and branch into: straight arteries (to basal layer) and spiral arteries (to functional layer)
The Vagina
consists of three coats:
- adventitia: fibrous connective tissue
- muscularis: smooth muscle
- mucosa: marked by transverse folds (consists of lamina propria stratified squamous epithelium)
fornix: recess formed at the superior part of the vagina
hymen: external vagina opening
Femal External Genitalia and Perineum
mons pubis labia majora labia minora prepuce of clitoris clitoris glans vestibule urethral orifice hymen opening of the duct of the greater vestibular gland anus
Deep Structures of Female External Genitalia
public symphisis body of clitoris: have paired copus cavernosa which engorge with blood during sexual excitement crura of clitoris bulbs of vestibule: homologous with corpus spongiosum and engorges with blood during sexual arousal and may help grip the penis greater vestibular gland urethral orifice vaginal orifice fourchette
Female Sexual Response
erection: parasympathetic control which causes blood to engorge the clitoris and the bulbs of vestibule
orgasm: sympathetic control which causes uterine smooth muscle to contract
during orgasm the bulbospongiosus skeletal muscle along the distal vagina contracts
Mammary Glands
nipple areola opening of lactiferous duct lactiferous ducts with sinuses where milk accumulates lobules containing milk producing alveoli lobes containing multiple lobules adipose surrounding lobes pectoris major muscle underlies breast
