Female Reproductive System Overview

Female Reproductive System

• Consists of: ovaries, uterine tubes (oviducts/fallopian tubes), uterus, cervix, vagina, external genitalia, and associated glands
• Ovaries:
  • Surface covered by a single layer of cells called the germinal epithelium
  • Divided into outer cortex and inner medulla
  • Cortex contains connective tissue stroma that houses ovarian follicles in various stages of development
  • Medulla contains loose connective tissue and blood vessels
• Ovarian follicles:
  • Primordial follicle: most primitive, composed of a single layer of squamous follicular cells (granulosa cells) surrounding the primary oocyte
  • Primary follicle: follicular cells become cuboidal in shape, with 2 types (unilaminar and multilaminar) depending on the number of layers of follicular cells surrounding the primary oocyte
  • Secondary (antral) follicle: similar to primary follicles, but with accumulations of liquor folliculi, forming a fluid-filled antrum
  • Graafian (mature) follicle: undergoes ovulation, releasing the secondary oocyte from the graafian follicle
• Follicular atresia: degenerative process in which follicular cells and oocytes undergo apoptosis and removal by phagocytic cells
• Corpus hemorrhagicum and corpus luteum:
  • Corpus hemorrhagicum: formed from the remnants of the graafian follicle, characterized by the presence of blood in its antrum
  • Corpus luteum: a temporary endocrine gland secreting hormones (progesterone, estrogen, and relaxin)
• Oviducts (Fallopian Tubes):
  • Lined by simple columnar epithelium with secretory and ciliated cells
  • Act as a conduit for spermatozoa to reach the primary oocyte and to convey the fertilized egg to the uterus
  • Regions: infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus, and intramural region
• Uterus:
  • A muscular organ consisting of a fundus, body, and cervix
  • Histologic structure: endometrium, myometrium, and perimetrium

Male Reproductive System

• Consists of: testes, intratesticular and extratesticular genital ducts, accessory glands, and penis
• Testes:
  • Located in the scrotum
  • Surrounded by an irregular DWFCT: tunica albuginea
  • Divided into testicular lobules containing sparse CT with endocrine interstitial cells (Leydig cells) and seminiferous tubules
• Seminiferous tubules:
  • Where sperm production occurs
  • Sertoli (sustentacular) cells provide support, protection, and nutrition to developing spermatogenic cells, and produce and release androgen-binding protein (ABP) and the hormone inhibin
• Spermatogenesis:
  • Process of producing haploid male gametes
  • 3 phases: spermatocytogenesis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis
• Epididymis:
  • Lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia
  • Regions: head, body, and tail
• Ductus (vas) deferens:
  • Lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium with stereocilia
  • Delivers spermatozoa from tail of epididymis to ejaculatory duct
• Ejaculatory duct:
  • Lined by simple columnar epithelium
  • Delivers spermatozoa and seminal fluid to prostatic urethra
• Male accessory glands:
  • Seminal vesicle: produces a viscous, yellow fructose-rich seminal fluid
  • Prostate gland:
    • Largest male accessory sex gland
    • Consists of a varying number of individual tubuloalveolar glands
    • 2 topographical parts: body (corpus prostatae) and disseminate part (pars disseminata prostatae)
  • Bulbourethral gland (Cowper's gland): secretes a thick, slippery fluid containing galactose and sialic acid, coating and lubricating the urethra

Penis

• Composed of three columns of erectile tissue: dorsally (2 columns of corpora cavernosa) and ventrally (corpus spongiosum)
• 2 types: vascular and fibrous