Reproductive System Anatomy & Physiology PDF

 The reproductive systems in both the male and female consist of primary and secondary sex organs and sex glands. The primary function of the reproductive systems is to perpetuate the species through sexual or germ cell fertilization and reproduction.  The uterus is a hol...

 The reproductive systems in both the male and female consist of primary and secondary sex organs and sex glands. The primary function of the reproductive systems is to perpetuate the species through sexual or germ cell fertilization and reproduction.  The uterus is a hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ about the size of a woman’s clenched fist. The top is tipped forward in a normal ‘anteflexion’ position. It can be divided into the body or corpus, and the bottom cervix. The rounded top portion, above the fallopian tubes, is called the fundus. The uterus is supported and held in position by a number of ligaments. Trauma, disease, or multiple pregnancies can weaken these ligaments and result in abnormal positioning.  The uterus wall has 3 layers: the outside layer Outer layer called the (Perimetrium) perimetrium, the Thick layer of muscle muscular inside (Myometrium) layer called the Mucous lining myometrium, and (Endometrium) the mucous membrane lining the uterus called The cervical opening is about the endometrium. the diameter of a pencil.  The uterus has 3 functions: 1.The endometrium sheds the lining of the uterus every 21 to 40 days by menstruation 2.It provides a place for the protection and nourishment of the fetus during pregnancy 3. It contracts during labor to expel the fetus  Tube widens to form the End of tube is ampulla (am pyu lah) called the infundibulum The isthmus is (in fun DIB yū lum) the portion that connects to uterus Fimbria (fihm bree ah) are Opening the finger-like projections is called around the opening that trap the the egg as it leaves the ostium ovary (ah stē um)  The fallopian tube is 4-6 inches long. The egg, released from the ovary, is captured by the fimbria and brought into the fallopian tube. The egg is moved along inside the tube by muscular contractions and the waving action of cilia. It takes an egg about 3-4 days to travel the length of the tube. If an egg is fertilized, it occurs here. The two ovaries are attached to each side of the uterus by a ligament. They are oval-shaped, about the size of a large olive, and lie close to the fimbria at the end of the fallopian tubes. Each ovary is filled, already at birth, with egg- containing sacs called follicles. Each egg is called an ovum.  Once every 21 days, one follicle in one ovary ripens. This mature follicle is a graafian (GRAW fee un) follicle. The follicle ruptures in response to hormones from the After the follicle ruptures, it pituitary gland, becomes a mass of yellow releasing the cells called the corpus ovum/egg… a process luteum. This is a temporary, called ovulation. progesterone-producing structure.  The vagina extends from the cervix to the outside of the body. It is a 3 ½ inch long muscular tube that expands in length and width during sexual arousal. The vagina is the female organ for copulation (sexual intercourse), receiving the seminal fluid from the male penis. It is also a passageway for menstruation or the birth of a fetus.  The vulva is 5 organs making up the external genitalia of the female: 1. Mons pubis: triangular-shaped pad of fatty tissue over the pubis bone, covered with pubic hair 2. Labia majora: 2 large folds of adipose tissue on the sides of the vaginal opening 3. Labia minora: 2 smaller folds of adipose tissue on the inside of the labia majora 4. Vestibule: area between labia with openings for the vagina, urethra, and two excretory ducts for Bartholin’s glands (provide lubricant) 5. Clitoris: sensitive fold of tissue partially covered by hood  The perineum is the area located between the vaginal opening and the anus. It is a muscular sheet that can be torn during childbirth. Perineum Some doctors avoid uncontrolled tearing of the perineum by making a surgical incision called an episiotomy.  The breasts are the mammary glands, varying in size according to age, heredity, and the amount of fatty tissue present. Each breast has 15-20 glandular lobes separated by connective tissue. After childbirth, the pituitary gland stimulates these lobules with the hormone prolactin… and they produce milk. The dark-colored circle at the tip of the breast is called the areola (ah REE ah lah). It contains sebaceous glands to keep the skin conditioned. In the center is the nipple, where ducts from the lobules open. The first secretion from Colostrum contains the breast is not a true nutrients and the milk, but a thin yellowish mother’s immunities substance called that can protect baby.  The onset of the menstrual cycle, or menarche, begins at puberty and ceases at menopause. The cycle has 3 phases: The follicular phase is characterized by menstruation, when the thickened lining of the endometrium is shed because no egg was fertilized or implanted. Just prior to this phase is a premenstrual period characterized by hormonal and physical changes.  The ovulatory phase comes next. Estrogen is the hormone produced by the ovaries, which stimulates the maturation of a follicle and thickens the endometrium. The luteal phase follows ovulation, and is characterized by the development of the corpus luteum, the secretion of progesterone, the preparation of the endometrium for implantation of a fertilized egg, and the formation of a thick mucous to block the cervix once the egg passes out of the fallopian tube.  At the moment of conception, a single sperm with 23 chromosomes (carrying genetic information from the father)penetrates/fertilizes a single egg with 23 The fertilized egg chromosomes (carrying genetic implants in the uterus. information from the mother). Progesterone The resulting cell, a zygote, now production increases to has 46 chromosomes. The cell signal a pregnancy; it begins dividing and is also can be detected in called a blastocyst. From week urine and blood. 2-8, it is called an embryo.  The embryo is suspended in an amniotic sac surrounded by fluid during the 280 day gestation period. The umbilical cord attached at the navel connects it to the placenta, where it gets nutrients and oxygen. During the 1st trimester, all parts of the embryo are formed. During the second trimester all parts start to function; during the last trimester the embryo is now called a fetus and the main task is growth.  Labor, characterized by muscle contractions, dilation (to 10 cm) and effacement (thinning)of the cervix, and expulsion of the mucous plug that formed in the cervix, signals the onset of parturition… the childbirth process. The cephalic, or head-first delivery, is the most common. Breech is a The umbilical cord is cut backward presentation; and clamped, and placenta Caesarian is delivery (afterbirth) is delivered through an incision in the following birth of the baby. abdomen.  The newborn may be covered with traces of vernix caseosa (cheesy coating) or lanugo (downy hair) that protected the skin before birth. The health of the baby is immediately evaluated on the APGAR scale. Color, heartbeat, reflexes, muscle tone, and breathing are scored on a scale of 0-10.  Pregnancy can be complicated by certain conditions: 1.Placenta previa is the development of the placenta over the opening of the cervix 2.Preeclampsia is a pregnancy- induced hypertension (high blood pressure) 3. Spontaneous abortion or miscarriage is the loss of a fetus during the first 20 weeks, often due to abnormalities, trauma, or lifestyle choices. The scrotum is a pouch of skin suspended from the perineal area and divided into two sacs… each containing one testicle and epididymis. The scrotal tissue contracts in the absence of sufficient heat, pulling the testes up closer to the body where the temperature maintains the viability of sperm.  The urethra runs the length of the penis from the bladder to the meatus (me Ā tus). The flaccid penis fills with blood during arousal, causing an erection and allowing for the function of copulation/intercourse. A lubricant, smegma,is produced under the prepuce on the penis. This foreskin may be circumcised/ removed for hygiene or religious reasons. It covers the glans/head that is filled with nerve endings.  The oval-shaped testes are located in the scrotum, and are each divided into 250 lobules. Coiled within the lobule are seminiferous tubes where the sperm are formed. The mature sperm are stored in the epididymis, a tube 13-20 feet in length, coiled and lying on the side of each testicle.  The acrosome (AK roh zome) covering the head of the sperm contains enzymes that help it penetrate the ova. The head carries Sperm carry either an the genetic X/female OR Y/male material. The chromosome. Since all ova midpiece supplies carry the X/female energy. The tail or chromosome, the male sperm flagellum (flah JELL does influence the baby’s sex. um) provides  The vas deferens are muscular tubes transporting sperm from the epididymis to the seminal vesicles. The seminal vesicles produce a slightly alkaline fluid that mixes with the sperm and becomes part of the semen ejaculated during the male orgasm. It protects the sperm from the acidity of the urethra. The prostate gland also secretes an alkaline fluid that mixes with the sperm as part of the semen. Enlargement of the prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia, obstructs the flow of urine through the urethra. The Cowper’s or bulbourethral glands (bull boh yur REE thral) produce another mucous- alkaline secretion in the urethra, excreted from the glands just before ejaculation.