Female Reproductive System PDF

MALE reproductive system MALE reproductive system The glands produce prostatic fluid and store it for expulsion during ejaculation(the secretory products are acid phosphatase, citric acid, amylase, and fibrinolysin. As with the seminal vesicle, the structure and function of the prostate depend on t...

MALE reproductive system MALE reproductive system The glands produce prostatic fluid and store it for expulsion during ejaculation(the secretory products are acid phosphatase, citric acid, amylase, and fibrinolysin. As with the seminal vesicle, the structure and function of the prostate depend on the level of testosterone Which one of prostatic secretion is important for diagnosis of prostatic cancer Bulbourethral glands: (Cowper’s glands) The bulbourethral glands, are paired small glands proximal to the membranous urethra and empty into it They are tubuloalveolar glands lined with mucus-secreting simple cuboidal epithelium. Skeletal and smooth muscle cells are present in the septa that divide each gland into lobes. they produce a watery slightly mucoid fluid containing this fluid provides a lubricating function  Penis: The main components of the penis are three cylindrical masses of erectile tissue, plus the urethra, surrounded by skin. Two of these ”the corpora cavernosa of the penis” are placed dorsally. The corpus spongiosum is ventrally located and surrounds the urethra Most of the penile urethra is lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium; in the glans penis, it becomes stratified squamous epithelium. Mucus-secreting glands of Littre are found throughout the length of the penile urethra  Erectile tissue is a tissue with a large number of venous spaces lined with endothelial cells and separated by trabeculae of connective tissue fibers and smooth muscle cells The corpora cavernosa of the penis are covered by a layer of dense connective tissue, the tunica albuginea Female reproductive system Female reproductive system Consist of two ovaries, two oviducts, uterus, cervix, vagina and the external genetalia. The structure of the human female reproductive system changes from childhood into reproductive maturity and then menopause and it is under direct control of the trophic hormones. In addition to the changes that occur by age the female reproductive system undergo structural and functional modifications at different stages in the monthly menstrual cycle.  Ovaries: Are almond shaped bodies approximately 3 cm. long, 1.5 cm. width and one cm. thick. They have two major functions: they are the source of mature ova they are endocrine glands producing steroid hormones that prepare the endometrium for conception. The surface of the ovary is covered by a single layer of cuboidal or low columnar epithelium. These cells commonly flatten with increasing age and when the ovary is enlarged. This epithelium is called Germinal Epithelium, however it is a misleading name because those cells are not the source of the mature gametes. The germinal epithelial cells have prominent microvilli  Atretic follicle: Most ovarian follicles undergo atresia this process is characterized by: cessation of mitosis in granulose cells detachment of granulose cells from the basal lamina death of the oocytes, after cell death macrophages will invade the follicle & phagocytose its debris. at later stages fibroblasts will occupy the area of follicle to form corpus fibrosum, that may persist for a long time.  Ovulation: At ovulation the graffian follicle is so large that it distort the surface of the ovary, even it appear to the naked eye as a small cystic mass bulging from the ovarian surface covered by only thin layer of germinal epithelium & a very thin layer of cortical stroma. The stimulus for ovulation is a surge of LH which will also induce completion of the 1st stage of meiosis. Before ovulation the oocyte will break free from its attachment to the follicular wall & float freely in the follicular fluid surrounded by corona radiate. Ovulation occur approximately in the middle of the menstrual cycle (around the day 14 of a 28 day cycle). Usually only one oocytes is liberated with each cycle.  Corpus Luteum: After ovulation the granulose cells & the cells of the theca interna layer reorganize themselves to form a temporary endocrine organ called corpus luteum which become embedded within the cortical region. The clot filled lumen of the follicle that results from ovulation will undergo progressive organization & the blood will coagulate & then invaded by connective tissues to form the center of corpus luteum. The granulose cells will increase greatly in size & they make about 80% of the parenchyma of the corpus luteum & now these cells are called granulose lutein cells ,these are large cells with abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum & they are distended with lipid droplets (features characteristic for steroid secreting cells) they secret progesterone.  Fate of corpus luteum: Depend whether pregnancy is established or not. The corpus luteum is programmed to act for 10-12 days after its formation. Its action is stimulated by the presence of LH. if no further hormonal stimulation occur (decrease in LH concentration) & pregnancy doesn’t occur the cells of corpus luteum start to degenerate. so there will be decrease in the granulose & theca lutein cells with the appearance of vacuoles on their cytoplasm, this will lead to gradual decrease in progesterone & estrogen concentration in the blood with its effect on the endometrium.  If pregnancy occur: After implantation of the embryo & formation of trophoblast cells a signal to the corpus luteum is given by the human chorionic gonadotropin (secreted by the trophoblastic cells & have a similar action to LH). Thus H.C.G will rescue the corpus luteum from degeneration & further growth of corpus luteum occur with more secretion of progesterone & it is called corpus luteum of pregnancy, this structure persist for 4-5 months & then degenerate & replaced by corpus albicans.  Oviduct : ( uterine tubes) Are two muscular tubes of great mobility. Each one is about 12 cm. in length & they are the site of fertilization of the ovum by spermatozoa.  The wall of the oviduct is formed of three layers: Mucosa thick muscularis layer (inner circular & outer longitudinal) serosa composed of the visceral peritoneum  END …..