56 Questions
Which hormone is responsible for the thickening of the endometrium and signaling the anterior pituitary to release LH?
Estrogen
What is the first physical sign of puberty in boys?
Appearance of axillary hair
Where are the Skene’s ducts located and what is their function?
Inside the urethral opening, lubricates the urethra and vaginal introitus
Which structure is responsible for producing an alkaline environment in the vagina?
Corpus of the uterus
What is the function of the Cooper’s ligaments in the breasts?
Support the breast
What is the primary function of the vaginal orifice?
Passageway for sperm to enter the uterus
What does Rugae allow in the female reproductive system?
Allows for stretching during sexual intercourse and delivery of the fetus
What are the three functions of the vagina?
Allows for drainage of menstrual fluids and other secretions, passageway for sperm to enter the uterus, passageway for the delivery of the fetus
Where are spermatozoa produced in males?
Seminfiferous tubules
Which hormone is responsible for causing maturation of the ovum in the ovarian follicle?
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
At what age do girls typically begin developing female curves?
10-14 years
What is the main function of testosterone in males?
Increase muscle mass and strength
Where is testosterone produced in males?
Leydig cells
Which hormone signals Sertoli cells to nourish sperm in males?
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
What are the primary sites where puberty-related changes occur?
Testes and ovaries
Which hormone causes widening of hips in girls?
Estrogen
Where does sperm mature during its stay?
In the epididymis
What is the main function of the seminal vesicles?
Create nourishing fluid for the sperm
What is the function of the Cowper's gland or Bulbourethral gland?
Coat and flush the urethra prior to ejaculation
What is the role of the vas deferens in the male reproductive system?
Carry sperm to the penis for ejaculation
Which organ contains Sertoli cells and Leydig cells?
Testes
What is the composition of semen?
60% fluid from seminal vesicles, prostate, Cowper's, and sperm
Where does spermatogenesis begin?
Testes
What is the main function of the prostate gland?
Secrete alkaline fluid to mix with semen for sperm motility and survival in the vagina
What is the purpose of the urethra in the male reproductive system?
Carry urine to the outside of the body and connect to the prostate gland for ejaculation
What hormone stimulates Leydig cells to release testosterone?
Interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH)
Which hormone is responsible for the enlargement of the vocal cords causing a deeper voice in boys during puberty?
Testosterone
What is the primary function of Leydig cells in the testes?
Production of testosterone
At what age do girls typically begin developing axillary and pubic hair as part of their secondary sex characteristics?
11-14 years
Where are spermatozoa produced in males?
Seminiferous tubules of the testes
Which hormone is responsible for causing maturation of the ovum in the ovarian follicle?
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
What is the primary function of the vas deferens in the male reproductive system?
Transport of sperm to the urethra
Which hormone signals Sertoli cells to nourish sperm in males?
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
What is the first physical sign of puberty in boys?
Development of axillary and pubic hair
What hormone is responsible for widening hips in girls during puberty?
Estrogen
What is the main function of testosterone in males?
Increase muscle mass and strength
Which hormone is responsible for the thickening of the endometrium and signaling the anterior pituitary to release LH?
Estrogen
What is the main function of the seminal vesicles?
Production of alkaline fluid
Where does spermatogenesis begin?
Seminiferous tubules
What is the role of the vas deferens in the male reproductive system?
Carrying semen to the urethra
Which hormone signals Sertoli cells to nourish sperm in males?
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Where are spermatozoa produced in males?
Seminiferous tubules
Which hormone causes widening of hips in girls?
Estrogen
What is the first physical sign of puberty in boys?
Development of axillary hair
What hormone stimulates Leydig cells to release testosterone?
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
What is Rugae?
Folds in the vagina
What is the primary function of the Cowper's gland or Bulbourethral gland?
Alkaline fluid that coats and flushes the urethra prior to ejaculation and during ejaculation
Where does spermatogenesis begin?
Testes
What is the main function of the seminal vesicles?
Creates nourishing fluid, filled with sugar, for the sperm
What hormone stimulates Leydig cells to release testosterone?
Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone (ICSH)
What is the composition of semen?
Mixture of fluid from seminal vesicles, prostate, Cowper's glands, and sperm
Where are the Skene’s ducts located and what is their function?
Secretes fluids that lubricate the urethra and may also be involved in female ejaculation
What are the main hormones of the male reproductive system and their function for spermatogenesis?
Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone (ICSH) stimulates Leydig cells to release testosterone, which stimulates the sperm cells to make sperm.
What is the role of the vas deferens in the male reproductive system?
Connected to the epididymis as a passageway to the ejaculatory duct
What is the function of the prostate gland?
Located below the bladder with the urethra passing through it, secretes alkaline fluid to mix with semen for sperm motility and survival in the vagina
What is the function of the Urethra in the male reproductive system?
Stores sperm for 2-10 days and carries sperm to penis for ejaculation
Study Notes
- Puberty is the stage when reproductive systems develop and become capable of reproduction.
- Boys' growth spurt typically begins between ages 10 and 16.
- Secondary sex characteristics in boys develop under testosterone influence: axillary and pubic hair growth, deeper voice, long bone growth, increased RBCs, increased basal metabolic rate, and penis and testes growth.
- Girls start developing secondary sex characteristics between ages 10 and 14: breast development and menarche occur 2-2.5 years later.
- In girls, secondary sex characteristics develop under estrogen influence: axillary and pubic hair, widening hips, breast bud development, and growth spurt.
- Spermatozoa are produced in the seminiferous tubules of the testes, and testosterone is produced in the Leydig cells.
- Testosterone has effects such as increased muscle mass and strength, growth of long bones, enlargement of the vocal cords causing a deeper voice, and distribution of body hair.
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is secreted by the anterior pituitary and causes maturation of the ovum in the ovarian follicle. In males, it signals Sertoli cells to nourish sperm.
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) is secreted by the anterior pituitary and causes follicle rupture in females, releasing the ovum (ovulation). In males, it's also known as ICSH (interstitial-cell stimulating hormone), which stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone.
- Estrogen is produced in the ovaries and responsible for secondary sex characteristics, thickening of the endometrium, and signaling the anterior pituitary to release LH. It also helps keep calcium in the bones to prevent osteoporosis and plays a role in maintaining the menstrual cycle.
- Progesterone is secreted by the corpus luteum in the ovaries and thickens the endometrium, making it nutrient-rich for fetal growth. It converts the breast into a milk-producing organ.
- Puberty for girls starts with breast development and menarche 2-2.5 years later, causing confusion and body image issues. It ends with regular menstrual cycles and the complete maturation of the physical body for reproduction.
- Puberty for boys begins with secondary sex characteristic development, which takes longer and can start later. It first appears as axillary hair, followed by penis and testes enlargement, nocturnal emissions, and ends with the maturation of sperm.
- The female external genitalia includes the mons pubis, labia minora, labia majora, fourchette, and clitoris, all of which function in sexual arousal and lubrication.
- The vaginal vestibule contains the urethral meatus, vaginal introitus, hymen, Bartholin's glands, and Skene's ducts, all of which play a role in lubrication and protection during sexual intercourse.
- The internal genitalia includes the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and cervix, all of which contribute to the female reproductive process.
- The male external genitalia include the penis, scrotum, testes, epididymis, and ductus vas deferens, all of which function in the production and transportation of sperm.
- The true pelvis and false pelvis work together to support the growing uterus and guide the fetus into the true pelvis, which dictates the bony limits of the birth canal. The pelvic inlet is oval-shaped and widest from side to side.
- The main hormones for breast development and lactation are estrogen, progesterone, oxytocin, and prolactin.
- The penis is an external organ of reproduction that contains the urethra and has spongy erectile tissue.
- The scrotum contains the testes, epididymis, and spermatic cord and keeps the testes cooler than the body to protect the sperm.
- The testes manufacture sperm cells and contain Sertoli and Leydig cells.
- The epididymis stores sperm for 2-10 days and carries sperm to the penis for ejaculation.
- The ductus vas deferens is a passageway that connects the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.
- The ejaculatory ducts combine sperm with seminal fluid to become semen.
- The seminal vesicles create a nourishing fluid for the sperm and make up 60% of semen.
- The prostate gland secretes an alkaline fluid that mixes with semen for sperm motility and survival.
- Cowper's gland secretes an alkaline fluid that coats and flushes the urethra prior to and during ejaculation.
- The urethra is a long tube that begins in the bladder and carries urine to the outside of the body, also connecting with the prostate gland for semen ejaculation.
- Semen is a mixture of fluid from the seminal vesicles, prostate, Cowper's gland, and sperm.
- The spermatogenesis process begins with a sperm cell containing 46 chromosomes and duplicates and splits into four cells with 23 chromosomes.
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates Sertoli cells to secrete nourishment for sperm cells, and interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH) stimulates Leydig cells to release testosterone, which stimulates the sperm cells to make sperm.
Test your knowledge of the stages and processes of puberty, reproductive system development, and the roles of hormones in the male and female reproductive systems.
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