THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM Flashcards
primary reproductive organs of the male reproductive system
testes
two functions of the testes
exocrine function (sperm production) and endocrine function (testosterone production)
ducts or glands that aid in delivery of sperm to the body exterior or to the female reproductive tract
accessory reproductive structures
size of testes
golf ball-sized; 4cm long by 2.5cm wide
connective tissue sheath that connects testes to the trunk and encloses blood vessels, nerves, and the ductus deferens
spermatic cord
fibrous connective tissue capsule that surrounds each testis
tunica albuginea
extensions of the tunica albuginea
septa
wedge-shaped; divided by the septa
lobules
“sperm forming factories”
seminiferous tubules
emptied into by the seminiferous tubules; located to one side of the testis
rete testis
first part of the duct system; hugs the posterior surface of the testis and provides a temporary storage site for the immature sperm
epididymis
lies in the soft connective tissue surrounding the seminiferous tubules
interstitial cells
produced by interstitial cells
androgens
most important type of androgen; stimulates adolescent growth spurt, prompts reproductive organs to develop to adult size, underlies sex drive, and causes male secondary sex characteristics to appear
testosterone
What are the accessory organs forming the male duct system?
epididymis, ductus deferens, urethra
How long does it take for the sperm to pass through the epididymis?
20 days
What happens to the sperm as they make their way along the epididymis?
complete maturation and develop the ability to swim
result of the walls of the epididymis contracting to expel sperm into the ductus deferens
ejaculation
What is the path of the ductus deferens?
- runs upwards from the epididymis via the spermatic cord through the inguinal canal
- arches over the superior aspect of the urinary blafder
- loops medially over the ureter and descends along the posterior bladder wall
- expands as the ampulla and empties into the ejaculatory duct which passes through the prostate to merge with the urethra
main function of the ductus deferens
propel live sperm from the epididymis and distal part of the ductus deferens into the urethra
What happens to the ductus deferens during ejaculation?
thick layers of smooth muscle in its walls create peristaltic waves that rapidly squeeze the sperm forward
minor operation where surgeon makes a small incision into the scrotum and cuts and ties off the ductus deferens
vasectomy
extends from the base of the urinary bladder to the tip of the penis; terminal part of the male duct system
urethra
What are the three regions of the urethra?
prostatic urethra, membranous urethra, and spongy (penile urethra)
surrounded by the prostate gland
prostatic urethra
spans the distance from the prostatic urethra to the penis
membranous urethra
runs within the length of the penis and opens to the body exterior
spongy (penile) urethra
where the spongy (penile) urethra exits onto the exterior
external urethral orifice
constricts when ejaculation occurs to prevent urine from entering the urethra and semen from entering the urinary bladder
internal urethral sphincter
What are the accessory glands?
paired seminal vesicles, single prostate gland, and paired bulbourethral glands
produces the bulk of semen
accessory glands
sperm-containing fluid that is propelled out of the male reproductive tract during ejaculation; milky white, somewhat sticky mixture of sperm and accessory gland secretions
semen
description of the seminal vesicle
located at the base of the bladder; 6 cm - 7 cm long and produces 60% of the semen
What substances are found in seminal fluid?
fructose (sugar), vitamin C, and prostaglandins
How is the ejaculatory duct formed?
the seminal vesicle and ductus deferens merge
single, donut-shaped gland about the size of a peach
prostate gland
milky fluid that plays a role in sperm activation
prostate fluid
How is the prostate gland palpated?
through the anterior rectal wall
How does the prostate work during ejaculation?
prostate fluid enters the urethra through several small ducts
increase in size independent of growth
hypertrophy
affects nearly every older man and strangles th prostate
hypertrophy of the prostate
bladder infections
cystitis
effects of hypertrophy
difficulty in urinating and enhances risk in cystitis and kidney damage
How is hypertrophy of the prostate addressed?
- surgery (traditional method)
- using drugs or microwaves to shrink the prostate
- laser treatments to remove excess prostate tissue
- inserting a scope through the urethra and removing all but the outer part of the prostate
inflammation of the prostate; single most common reason men consult a urologist
prostatitis
third most prevalent cancer in men
prostate cancer
tiny, pea-sized glands inferior to the prostate gland
bulbourethral glands
thick clear mucus that drains and cleanses the urethra and acts as a lubricant during intercourse; first secretion to pass down the urethra when a man is sexually excited
secretion of the bulbourethral gland
What is the purpose of the liquid portion of semen?
acts as a transport medium for nutrients and chemicals that protect the spinal cord m and aids their movement
streamlined cellular “tadpoles” containing little cytoplasm or stored nutrients
mature sperm cells
provides essentially all of the energy fuel of the sperm cells
fructose
hormone that enhances sperm motility
relaxin
How much semen is ejected during ejaculation?
2 ml to 5 ml
How much sperm is found per milliliter of semen?
50 to 150 million sperm
inability of the male to conceive a child
male infertility
one of the first series of tests done when a couple is unable to conceive a child
semen analysis
What sperm count makes impregnation improbable?
less than 20 million sperm
What organs are included in the male external genitalia?
scrotum and penis
divided sac of skin with sparse hairs that hangs outside the abdominal cavity, between the legs and the roof of the penis
scrotum
Why are the testes dangling out of the body?
viable sperm can only be produced in a temperature 3°C lower than body temperature
functions to deliver sperm into the female reproductive tract
penis
The penis consists of…
the shaft and the glans penis
enlarged tip of the penis
glans penis
loose skin of the penis that is folded downwards to form a sleeve of skin around the proximal end of the glans penis
prepuce or foreskin
procedure where foreskin is removed shortly after birth
circumcision
spongy tissue that fills with blood during sexual excitement
erectile tissue
causes the penis to enlarge and helps it serve as the male organ of copulation to deliver semen into the female reproductive tract
erection
other term for sexual intercourse
copulation
What is the chief role of the male in the reproductive process?
produce sperm and the hormone testosterone
sperm production which begins during puberty and continues throughout life
spermatogenesis
primitive stem cells found in the periphery (outer edge) of each tubule that begins the process of spermatogenesis
spermatogonia
What happens to spermatogonia from birth until puberty?
go through rapid mitotic divisions to build up the stem cell line and produce more stem cells
secreted in increasing amounts by the anterior pituitary gland during puberty
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
products of each division of a spermatogonium from puberty onwards
type A daughter cell (stem cell) and type B daughter cell
daughter cell that remains at the tubule periphery to maintain the stem cell production
type A daughter cell
daughter cell that gets pushed into the tubule lumen, where it becomes a primary spermatocyte that will undergo meiosis
type B daughter cell
where type B daughter cell gets pushed into
tubule lumen
special type of nuclear division that occurs only in the gonads
meiosis
How does meiosis differ from mitosis?
consists of two successive divisions of the nucleus (meiosis I and II) and results in four daughter cells or gametes
gametes in spermatogenesis
spermatids
How many chromosomes are in a spermatid?
23 chromosomes
last stage of sperm development where excess cytoplasm is sloughed off and what remains is reshaped into the three regions of the sperm
spermiogenesis
What are the three regions of the fully formed sperm?
the head, midpiece, and tail
contained in the sperm head
nucleus with compacted DNA
anterior to the nucleus; produced by the golgi apparatus and is similar to a large lysosome
acrosome
What happens when an acrosome comes into close contact with an oocyte?
membrane breaks down and releases enzymes that help sperm penetrate the capsule of follicle cells surrounding the egg
form the long tail; arises from centrioles in the midpiece
filaments
wrapped tightly around the filaments and provides the ATP needed for the rolling, one-sided movements of the tail that propel sperm along the female reproductive tract
mitochondria
How does the sperm move?
rolling, one-sided movement of the tail; accomplished as the head of the sperm rotates while the tail beats to one side
How long does the entire learning process from the formation of a primary spermatocyte to the release of immature sperm in the lumen take?
64 to 72 days
antibiotics that can suppress sperm formation
penicillin and tetracycline
can cause production of abnormal sperm
radiation, lead, certain pesticides, marijuana, tobacco, and excessive alcohol
released by the anterior pituitary gland; stimulates the interstitial cells for testosterone production
lutinizing hormone (LH)
What are the male secondary sex characteristics?
deepening of the voice as the larynx enlarges, increased hair growth all over the body, particularly in the axillary and public regions and on the face, enlargement of skeletal muscles mass typical of the male physique, and increased heaviness of the skeleton due to bone growth in size and density
condition where testosterone is not produced in a young man so his secondary sex characteristics never appear and his other reproductive organs remain childlike
sexual infantilism
inability of interstitial cells to produce testosterone results in a decrease in size and functions of his reproductive organs
castration of the adult male
occurs because testosterone is necessary for the final stages of sperm production
sterility
primary female reproductive organ; resemble almonds in their shape but are nearly twice as large
ovaries
products of the ovaries
exocrine (eggs or ovum) and endocrine (progesterone and estrogens)
function of the other organs of the female reproductive system
accessory structures to transport, nurture, or serve the needs of reproductive cells and the developing fetus
tiny saclike structures in the ovary
ovarian follicles
found in each follicle; an immature egg
oocyte
fluid-filled central region developed as the follicle matures and enlargens
antrum
term for the follicle at the stage where it matures and develops an antrum
vesicular or Graafian follicle
event where the developing egg is ready to be ejected
ovulation
ruptured follicle found after ovulation; eventually degenerates
corpus luteum
How often does ovulation generally occur?
every 28 days; can occur more or less frequently in some women
anatomical location of the ovaries
flank the uterus laterally; secures to the lateral walls of the pelvis by the suspensory ligaments and are anchored to the uterus medially by the ovarian ligaments; enclosed and held in place by the broad ligament
secures the ovaries to the lateral walls of the pelvis
suspensory ligaments
anchors the ovaries to the uterus medially
ovarian ligaments
fold of peritoneum that encloses the ovaries in between the uterine tubes; suspends the uterus in the pelvis
broad ligament
What are the organs that are part of the duct system of the female reproductive system?
uterine tubes, uterus, vagina
form the initial part of the duct system; receives the ovulated oocyte and the usual site where fertilisation occurs
uretine or fallopian tubes
anatomical description of the uterine tubes
10 cm long and extends medially from an ovary to empty into the superior region of the uterus; enclosed and supported by the broad ligament
funnel-shaped distal end of the uterine tubes
infundibulum
fingerlike projection of the infundibulum that partially surrounds the ovary
fimbriae
How does the oocyte expelled from the ovary travel through the uterine tubes?
waving fimbriae create fluid currents that carry the oocyte into the uterine tube; oocyte is carried towards the uterus by a combination of peristalsis and the rhythmic beating of cilia from the endothelial lining of the uterine tube
Where are many potential eggs lost?
peritoneal cavity
How long does the journey to the uterus take?
3 to 4 days
How long does a viable oocyte last?
at most 24 hours
What is the path of the sperm through the female reproductive system?
upwards through the vagina and uterus to reach the uterine tubes; swim against the current of the cilia
severe inflammation caused by gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted bacteria spreading from the reproductive tract and infecting the peritoneal cavity; can cause scarring and closure of the uterine tubes, which is one of the major causes of female infertility
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
hollow organ located in the pelvis between the urinary bladder and rectum that functions to receive, retain, and nourish a fertilised egg and aid in childbirth
uterus
description of the uterus before pregnancy
size and shape of a pear
description of the uterus during pregnancy
increases trumendously in size and can be felt well above the umbilicus
anchors uterus anteriorly
round ligament
anchors uterus posteriorly
uterosacral ligament
major portion of the uterus
body
rounded region of the uterus superior to the entrance of the uterine tubes
fundus
narrow outlet of the uterus that protrudes inferiorly into the vagina
cervix
three layers of the uterus
endometrium, myometrium, perimetrium
inner layer or mucosa where the young embryo burrows itself and resides during its development
endometrium
process where the young embryo burrows itself in the endometrium
implantation
process where endothelial lining sloughs off every 28 days in response to changes in the level of ovarian hormones in the blood
menstruation, menses, or “period”
cancer that is relatively common among women between ages 30 and 50
cervical cancer
risk factors of cervical cancer
sexually transmitted diseases such as human papillomavirus (HPV), frequent cervical inflammation, multiple pregnancies, and many sexual partners
major cause of cervical cancer
human papillomavirus (HPV)
most important test for detecting cervical cancer
pap smear
How can you test for HPV?
pap smear or from a blood sample
three-dose vaccine that provides protection from the most common types of HPV-induced cancer
Gardasil
bulky middle layer of uterus that is composed of interlacing bundles of smooth muscle; contracts rhythmically to force the baby out of the mother’s body
myometrium
outermost serous layer of the uterus wall
perimetrium or visceral peritoneum
female organ for copulation that receives the penis during intercourse; provides a passageway for the delivery of an infant and for the menstrual flow to leave the body
vagina
anatomical description of the vagina
thin-walled tube 8 to 10 cm long; lies between the bladder and rectum and extends from the cervix to the body exterior
thin fold of mucosa that closes the distal end of the vagina
hymen
