Reproductive Systems

Question 1

Path of sperm

Answer 1

Sperm produced in testes, pass to epididymis (all fit into scrotum outside of abdomen), becomes vas deferens, winds around bladder, forms ampulla, joins seminal gland (ejaculatory duct) opens into urethra, surrounded by prostate – prostatic urethra – prostate adds secretions, becomes membranous urethra – then penile urethra – ends in external urethral orifice

Question 2

Seminiferous tubules

Answer 2

Highly coiled

Sperm production factories

Question 3

Rete testes

Answer 3

Where the seminiferous tubules join, and then continue up as head of epididymis

Question 4

Epididymis

Answer 4

Uncoiled is 6m long
Takes 20 days for sperm to get through
Stores the sperms
The ones here are the ones expelled in ejaculation

Question 5

Seminal gland/vesicle

Answer 5

Adds up to 60% volume of fluid
Behind the urinary bladder
Secretes fructose (gives energy to sperm for motility) and prostaglandins (induces uterine contractions)
Suppress immune response of female repro tract

Question 6

Prostate

Answer 6

Adds 1/3 of volume
Muscles to push secretions in the vessel
Helps in sperm motility, liquefaction, and clotting

Question 7

3 parts of the penis

Answer 7

Corpus spongiosum on the ventral side

Corpus cavernosa on the sides

Question 8

Bulbourethral glands/ Cowper’s gland

Answer 8

Found in membranous urethra
Secrete mucus before ejaculation
Lubricate and neutralize urine

Question 9

3 parts of the urethra

Answer 9

Prostatic (leaves bladder and inside prostate)
Membranous (after prostate, surrounded by muscle, short, prone to injury)
Penile (in erectile tissue of the penis)

Question 10

Benign prostatic hypertrophy

Answer 10

Enlarged prostate
Difficulty urinating
Not invasive condition
Common in older males
Closes the prostatic urethra so urine cannot flow out
3 main ones: frequency, urgency, hesitancy
Detect via digital rectal examination

Question 11

Prostate specific antigen (PSA)

Answer 11

Tumor marker

Increased levels suggest presence of a tumor

Question 12

Where is the ovary located?

Answer 12

Posterior to broad ligament
Lateral to uterus
Inside the bony pelvis

Question 13

Broad ligament

Answer 13

From the fallopian tube there is a curtain hanging down - this is the broad ligament
Ovary is behind it

Question 14

Differences between menstrual, uterine, and ovarian cycle

Answer 14

Ovarian: changes in the ovaries
Uterine: changes in the uterus
Menstrual: covers both

Question 15

What causes ovulation?

Answer 15

Surge in LH

Question 16

What hormones are predominant in which parts of the ovarian cycle?

Answer 16

Estrogen: pre ovulation
Progesterone: post ovulation

Question 17

Irrespective of the length of the menstrual cycle, which phase will always be of a fixed duration? Why?

Answer 17

Post ovulatory phase is ALWAYS 14 days
Because the corpus luteum is only active for 14 days
Secretes the progesterone, and without this hormone the glands cannot survive and the endometrium gets shed off

Question 18

How long is the corpus luteum active if there IS a pregnancy?

Answer 18

3 months

And then the placenta takes over hormone function

Question 19

What hormone does the urinary pregnancy test look for?

Answer 19

HCG

Question 20

What is the usual site of fertilization?

Answer 20

Ampulla of the fallopian tubes

Question 21

What is the most common cause of infertility for males/females?

Answer 21

Males: sperm motility (seminal and prostate glands or epididymis)
Females: PID, hormonal causes, etc

Question 22

Interstitial cells of the testes

Answer 22

Produce sex hormones