Unit 17: Reproductive System Flashcards
What are the gonads?
They produce gametes and hormones
Testes and Ovaries
The testes are surrounded by 2 layers (tunics). What are they?
Tunica vaginalis: outer layer, serous membrane derived from peritoneum
Tunica albuginea: inner layer, fibrous CT, extend inwards to divide testis
The seminiferous tubules in each lobule produces sperm (spermatogenesis). The tubules unite to form rete (network) testis. What are the walls of the tubules composed of?
Spermatogenic cells: germ cells in various stages of development
Sustenocytes: surround, nourish, and protect developing gametes
Which cells protect developing sperm in the seminiferous tubules from the immune system, toxins, and drugs, as well as produce testicular fluid?
Sustenocytes
What does each lobule contain, aside from seminiferous tubules?
Interstitial endocrine (Leydig) cells,
which is CT between tubules that
secrete testosterone
What are the 4 main ducts of the testicular system?
Epididymis: sperm storage and maturation, posterior border of testes
Vas (ductus) deferens: transports sperm from epididymis during ejaculation
Ejeculatory duct: union of vas deferens and duct from seminal vesicle
Urethra: transports urine and semen out of the body
What are the 3 parts that
make up the penis?
Root
Body (shaft)
Gland penis (enlarged tip)
Accessory glands of the male reproductive system contribute secretions during sexual arousal. 95% of semen comes from these glands. Name these glands
Seminal vesicles (2): posterior to bladder, secretes nutrients to sperm
Prostate gland: inferior to bladder, nourishes and activates sperm motility
Bulbourethral glands (2): inferior to prostate, lubricates urethra &glans penis
Spermiogenesis is the differentiation of the spermatids into sperm. What are these differences?
Develop flagella and acrosomes
Lose most cytoplasm
A spermatozoa is made of a head, body (midpiece), and tail (flagellum). Break down the composition of the head
The head contains the nucleus (23 chromosomes (n)). The top of the nucleus is covered by the acrosome, which is a modified lysosome that contains enzymes required to penetrate secondary oocyte
Give some facts about semen
Sperm and testicular fluid only makes up 5%, the majority from accessory glands
It is slightly alkaline and contains about 20-150 million sperm per mL. About 2-5 mL are released during ejaculation
What are the 4 layers that make up the ovaries?
Surface (germinal) epithelium: cuboidal epithelial cells
Tunica albuginea: dense CT
Ovarian cortex: contains CT and ovarian follicles
Ovarian medulla: vessels, nerves, CT
What are the 3 sections of the uterine (fallopian) tubes?
Infundibulum: suspended over each ovary, with finger-like projections called fimbriae that cover the ovaries
Ampulla: where fertilization occurs
Isthmus: connects to uterus
What 5 structures form the ovarian reproductive system?
Gonads/ovaries
Uterine (fallopian) tubes
Uterus (“womb”)
Vagina (birth canal)
Vulva
The histology of the uterine tubes consists of the mucosa, muscularis externa (smooth muscle), and serosa (visceral peritonium). 2 types of cells make up the simple col. epi. What are they?
Ciliated cells: help move fertilized/developing egg through the tube
Non-ciliated secretory cells w/ microvilli: secrete fluids with nutrients for egg
The uterus is a hollow, muscular organ located superior to the bladder. What are its 3 main parts?
Fundus (superior)
Body (uterine cavity)
Cervix (inferior)
This structure has following histology:
Mucosa: thick strat. squa. epi. with rugae
Muscularis externa: smooth muscle
Adventitia: fibroelastic CT
The vagina (birth canal), which is connects the uterus to the external genitalia and is the organ of copulation
What are the 3 layers of the histology for the uterus?
Endometrium
Myometrium (smooth muscle)
Perimetrium (visceral peritoneum)
The uterus endometrium is a mucous membrane of epithelium that lines the inner surface of the uterus and a specialized lamina propria, which consists of 2 vascularized layers. What are these layers?
Functional layer (stratum fuctionalis): superficial, develops at puberty and shed monthly (menstruation). Contains endometrial glands that secrete nutritive fluid for the embryo
Basal layer (stratum basalis): permanent, undergoes mitosis to replace the statum functionalis
The vulva contains these reproductive structures that lie external to the vagina
Mons pubis: overlies and cushions pubic symphesis (adipose tissue)
Labia majora/minora: 2 folds that cover the minora / small inner folds that surround the vestibule
Vestibule: contains vaginal opening and external urethral orifice
Greater vestibular glands: lubricates
Clitoris: mainly internal, contains erectile tissue, same tissue as the penis
At puberty, ovarian cycles and reproductive hormone secretion begins. Each month, primary follicles continue to form and pass through one or more of these stages
Secondary follicle
Vesicular (antral follicle)
Prevulatory (Graafian) follicle
Corpus luteum
Corpus albicans
What is the procedure known as Tubal Ligation?
A surgical procedure that prevents the passage of gametes through the uterine tube (does not affect menstrual cycles)
What is ectopic pregnancy?
When the embryo implants in the uterine tube, which can lead to a rupture of the uterine tube (can be life threatening) and impaired future fertility
