The Reproductive System Flashcards
What are the functions of the reproductive system?
Production of androgens (sex hormones), production, storage and nourishment of gametes and introduction of male gametes into female reproductive tract
What are the main components of the male reproductive system?
Testes, scrotum, ducts, glands and penis
What ducts are involved in the male reproductive system?
Epididiymal duct, vas deferens and urethra
What glands are involved in the male reproductive system?
Seminal vesicles, prostate and bulbourethral
Which division process produces gametes?
Meiosis
What is spermiogenesis?
The development of spermatids into mature spermatozoa
What is contained in the acrosome in the sperm head?
Enzymes that break down the walls of the unfertilised egg
What are sertoli cells required for?
The maturation of a spermatozoa
Sertoli cells secrete testicular fluid. What is in testicular fluid?
Inhibin, androgen-binding proteina and mullerian-inhibiting substance
What is the effect of a high sperm count on the release of inhibin?
Inhibin increases
How many mL per ejaculation (male)?
2-5mL
What happens in the epididymis?
It is the site of storage and maturation of spermatozoa
What is the vas deferens?
It is the duct for transport of sperm
What are the main internal genitalia of the female reproductive system?
Ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina
What are the main external genital of the female reproductive system?
Mons pubis, labia and clitoris
What is oogenesis?
The production or development of an ovum
How many eggs on average will a woman release in a lifetime?
300
The fallopian tube has 4 parts what are they?
Infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus and intramural segment
At the end of the fallopian tubes there are ciliated….. what do they do?
Fimbriae move to produce currents and peristalsis
What are the functions of the fallopian tubes?
Convey the oocyte from peritoneal cavity to the uterus and is the site of fertilisation (usually ampulla)
The uterus is made up of 3 parts, what are they?
Fundus, body and cervix
Uterus has 3 membranes, what are they?
Perimetrium (covers peritoneum), myometrium (smooth muscle layer) and endometrium (mucous membrane)
The endometrium has two zones, the functional zone and the basal zone. Which zone is shed monthly?
The functional zone
On which day of the menstrual cycle is the egg usually released?
Day 14
The mammary glands consist of…
Adipose tissue, glandular tissue and fibrous tissue
Which tissue in the mammary glands produce milk?
Glandular tissue – this tissue increases during pregnancy to prepare for lactation
Where is prolactin released and what does it do?
Released in the anterior pituitary and it stimulates the mammary glands to produce milk
What do acini cells in the mammary glands do?
Synthesise milk proteins and lipids
Where is oxytocin released from and what does it do?
It is released from the posterior pituitary and it stimulates contractions in the uterus and stimulates ejection by mammary gland.
What is the role of FSH?
Growth and development of follicles, causes release of oestrogen and inhibin by ovaries
What does a high concentration of LH do?
Increases collagenase activity and increases prostaglandin levels. Prostaglandins cause ovarian walls to contract to extrude the oocyte.
What is the main role of LH?
Causes ovulation and forms corpus luteum
What is the role of progesterone and where is it released from?
Released from the corpus luteum in the ovary and prepares body for pregnancy. Causes lining of womb to thicken
How does the combined pill work?
Contains progestin which mimics progesterone and contains oestrogen. It inhibits GnRH which inhibits LH therefore no ovulation
What happens during the menopause?
There is a decrease in oestrogen therefore ovulation ceases and no more menstruation
Vaginal fluid has an acidic pH of 4.3, what happens to the pH when sperm enters the vagina?
The pH rises to 7.2 in 10 seconds and acts as a buffer
What is the name of a fertilised egg?
Zygote
How many days after fertilisation does the embryo attach to the lining of the endometrium?
8 days
What percentage of fertilised eggs do not develop to maturity?
50%
