Male and Female Reproductive Systems PDF

# Male Reproductive System ## Spermatogenesis - **Sperm Production** - **Sperm - 3 parts:** - **Head:** Contains 23 chromosomes, acrosome (coating of head containing an enzyme that digests the membrane of the egg). - **Middle Piece:** Contains the mitochondria that produce ATP....

# Male Reproductive System ## Spermatogenesis - **Sperm Production** - **Sperm - 3 parts:** - **Head:** Contains 23 chromosomes, acrosome (coating of head containing an enzyme that digests the membrane of the egg). - **Middle Piece:** Contains the mitochondria that produce ATP. - **Flagella:** Provides motility (needs ATP). - **Semen:** Consists of sperm and secretions from seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands. - pH: 7.4 - 2-4 ml expelled - Each ml contains 100 million sperm cells - **Takes place in the testes** - **Spermatogonia (sperm-generating cells) are found in the seminiferous tubules and become sperm.** - **FSH initiates sperm production.** - **Testosterone (directed by LH) promotes maturation of sperm.** - **Inhibin decreases secretion of FSH.** - **Production begins at puberty (10-14 y/o).** - **Millions are formed each day; production decreases but never ceases.** ## Testes - **Located in the scrotum (sac of skin) between the upper thighs** - **Temperature is 96 degrees (maintain sperm viability).** - **In the male fetus, the testes develop near the kidneys and descend after birth.** - **No descending cryptorchidism** - **Divided into lobes** - **Each contains its own seminiferous tubule (where sperm production takes place).** - **Sustentacular cells:** Located among seminiferous tubules, produce inhibin when stimulated by testosterone. - **Interstitial cells:** Also located in the seminiferous tubules, produce testosterone when stimulated by LH. - **Epididymis:** Long coiled tube on the posterior of each testis. - **Maturation of sperm and functionality of flagella occur here.** - **Uses smooth muscle to propel sperm into the ductus deferens.** - **Ductus deferens (vas deferens):** Extends from the epididymis in the scrotum into the abdominal cavity through the inguinal canal. - **Smooth muscle layer contracts in peristaltic waves as part of ejaculation.** - **Ejaculatory Duct:** Receives sperm from the ductus deferens and secretion from the seminal vesicle of each teste. - **Seminal Vesicles:** Behind the bladder. - **Secretion contains fructose to provide energy source for sperm.** - **Alkaline (enhances sperm motility).** - **Each duct joins at the ductus deferens on each side to help form the ejaculatory duct.** - **Prostate:** Muscular gland below the urinary bladder. - **Surrounds the 1st inch of the urethra.** - **Made of glandular tissue that secretes alkaline fluid (maintain sperm motility).** - **Smooth muscle contracts to contribute to expulsion of semen from urethra.** - **Can become enlarged impairing urination start or flow, prostatectomy - sx removal of part or all of prostate.** - **Cancer of prostate - 2nd most common cancer among men.** - **Bulbourethral glands (Cowper’s glands):** Located below the prostate gland. - **Empties into the urethra.** - **Produces an alkaline secretion (coats the inside of the urethra before ejaculation to neutralize acidic urine).** - **Flow of Sperm/Semen:** - **Seminiferous tubules → rete testis (tubular network) → epididymis → ductus deferens (goes into the abdominal cavity through the inguinal canal up over the urinary bladder and behind it) → ejaculatory duct → urethra.** - **Male Urethra:** Last duct the semen travels through before expulsion. # Female Reproductive System ## Penis - **Longest part.** - **Extends through the external portion-penis** - **Distal end of penis-glans penis** - **3 masses of cavernous tissue:** - Blood sinuses - Connective tissue - Smooth muscle - **When blood is minimal-penis is flaccid.** - **During sexual stimulation, the arteries of the penis dilate, fill with blood, and penis becomes erect and firm to penetrate vagina (parasympathetic responce).** - **Glans penis covered with skin-foreskin.** - **Can be removed sx through circumcision.** ## Oogenesis - **Process of egg cell formation.** - **Uses meiosis.** - **Begins in the ovaries:** - **Pair of oval structures about 1.5 inches on either side of the uterus in the pelvic cavity.** - **Broad ligament holds the ovaries in place.** - **Regulated by hormones** - **FSH initiates:** - **Growth of ovarian follicles (contain oogonium-egg generating cells)** - **Several hundred thousand primary follicles present at birth.** - **Only 300-400 will mature during childbearing years.** - **Production begins at puberty.** - **Continues throughout life until menopause.** - **Several follicles will grow at the same time; whichever releases first will be ovulated, and others deteriorate.** - **Each primary ovarian follicle contains an oocyte (potential egg).** - **Follicle cells surround the oocyte and secrete estrogen (matures egg (ovum)).** - **Produced every 28 days.** - **A mature follicle is called a Graafian follicle.** - **Will rupture to release the mature ovum.** - **Influenced by LH.** - **Called ovulation.** - **Ruptured follicle then becomes the corpus luteum.** - **Begins to secrete estrogen AND progesterone.** - **Production is cyclical.** ## Fallopian Tubes - **4 inches long.** - **Have 2, one on each lateral end that enclose an ovary.** - **Fimbriae: Fringelike projections that create currents in the fluid surrounding the ovary to pull the ovum into the fallopian tube.** - **Medial end opens into the uterus.** - **Smooth muscle creates peristaltic waves to keep the ovum moving toward the uterus.** - **Fertilization takes place here.** - **If not fertilized, the ovum will die w/in 24-48 hours and disintegrate.** - **If fertilized, the ovum becomes a zygote and is swept into the uterus for implantation over 4-5 days.** - **Ectopic pregnancy: Embryo becomes implanted anywhere other than the uterus (i.e. fallopian tube, ovary, etc.); other places besides the uterus cannot sustain life for a prolonged period.** ## Uterus - **3 inches long, 2 inches wide.** - **Above the urinary bladder and between the ovaries.** - **Covered by the broad ligament.** - **5 Parts:** - **Fundus:** Upper portion above the entry of the fallopian tubes. - **Body:** Large central portion. - **Cervix:** Opens into the vagina. - **Myometrium:** Smooth muscle layer that increases in size during pregnancy and contracts for labor and delivery. - **Endometrium:** - **Basilar layer:** Adjacent to the myometrium; vascular, permanent layer. - **Functional layer:** Regenerated and lost during the menstrual cycle. - **Influenced by estrogen and progesterone from the ovaries to increase blood vessel growth in preparation for pregnancy.** ## Vagina - **Muscular tube, 4 inches in length.** - **Extends from the cervix to the vaginal orifice in the perineum.** - **Behind the urethra but in front of the rectum.** - **Partially covered by a thin membrane that is ruptured during sexual intercourse - hymen.** - **Functions:** - **Receive sperm from penis during sexual intercourse.** - **Exit for menstrual flow.** - **Birth canal at end of pregnancy.** - **Contains a normal bacterial flora - creates an acidic pH and inhibits growth of pathogens.** ## External Genitalia - **"Vulva"** - **Includes:** - **Clitoris:** Small mass of erectile tissue in front of the urethra for sexual stimulation. - **Labia majora:** Lateral pair of skin folds (outer folds). - **Labia minora:** Medial pair of skin folds inside the labia majora. - **Mons pubis:** Pad of fat over the pubic symphysis covered with pubic hair. - **Vestibule:** Area between the labia minora that contains the opening of the urethra and vagina. - **Bartholin's glands:** In the floor of the vestibule, opens onto the vaginal opening; keeps the mucosa moist and lubricates vaginal sexual intercourse. ## Mammary Glands - **Produces milk for offspring.** - **Glandular tissue surrounded by adipose tissue.** - **Alveolar glands:** Produce milk after pregnancy. - **Enters the lactiferous ducts and meets at the nipple.** - **Areola:** Skin around the nipple that is pigmented. - **During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone prepare the glands for milk production.** - **Oxytocin:** Stimulates the release of milk. - **Prolactin:** Makes the milk after pregnancy. ## Menstrual Cycle - **3 phases:** - **Menstrual phase:** - **Loss of functional layer of endometrium (menstruation, menses).** - **Lasts 2-8 days w/average of 3-6.** - **Secretion of FSH is increasing.** - **Several follicles begin to develop.** - **Follicular phase:** - **FSH stimulates growth of ovarian follicles and estrogen secretion by follicle cells (maturing of ovum).** - **LH secretion is increasing but slower.** - **Estrogen stimulates blood vessel growth in the endometrium to regenerate the functional layer.** - **Ends with ovulation (sharp increase in LH causes the rupture of the mature ovarian follicle).** - **Luteal phase:** - **LH causes the ruptured follicle to become the corpus luteum (secretes inhibin (blocks secretion of FSH) and relaxin (inhibits contractions of the myometrium-helps with implanting)) causing estrogen AND progesterone to be secreted.** - **Progesterone stimulates further growth of blood vessels in the endometrial functional layer and promotes storage of nutrients.** - **As progesterone increases, LH decreases.** - **If ovum is not fertilized, the secretion of progesterone decreases.** - **Without progesterone, the endometrium cannot be maintained and will slough off.** - **FSH begins to increase and the cycle begins again.** ## Terms - **Renal medulla:** Inner layer composed of loops of Henle and collecting tubules. - **Renal cortex:** Outer layer contains renal corpuscles and convoluted tubules. - **Renal pelvis:** Apex of each pyramid, an expansion of the ureter within the kidney. - **Calyces:** Funnel shape expansions of renal pelvis (medial aspect of kidney). - **Glomerular filtration rate:** Total volume of renal filtrate that the kidney forms in 1 minute, average 100-125 ml/min. - **Ectopic pregnancy:** Implantation of fertilized egg outside of uterus (commonly in the fallopian tube). - **Fundus:** Upper portion above the entry of the fallopian tubes. - **Clitoris:** Small mass of erectile tissue anterior to the urethral orifice. - **Menstruation:** Periodic discharge of bloody fluid from the uterus that occurs at regular intervals from puberty to menopause. - **Prostatectomy:** Surgical procedure to remove prostate gland. - **Prostatic hypertrophy:** Enlargement of the prostrate; may be benign or malignant.