The Reproductive System

The Reproductive System

∙ Gonads – primary sex organs

∙ Testes in males
∙ Ovaries in females
∙ Gonads produce gametes (sex cells) and
secrete hormones
∙ Sperm – male gametes
∙ Ova (eggs) – female gametes
Male Reproductive System

∙ Testes
∙ Duct system
∙ Epididymis
∙ Ductus deferens
∙ Urethra
Male Reproductive System

∙ Accessory organs
∙ Seminal vesicle
∙ Prostate gland
∙ Bulbourethral gland
∙ External genitalia
∙ Penis
∙ Scrotum
Male Reproductive System
Testes

∙ Coverings of
the testes
∙ Tunica
albuginea –
capsule that
surrounds
each testis
Testes
∙ Coverings of
the testes
(continued)
∙ Septa –
extensions of
the capsule that
extend into the
testis and divide
it into lobules
Testes
∙ Each lobule contains one to four
seminiferous tubules
∙ Tightly coiled structures
∙ Function as sperm-forming factories
∙ Empty sperm into the rete testis
∙ Sperm travels through the rete testis to
the epididymis
∙ Interstitial cells produce androgens such
as testosterone
Epididymis

∙ Comma-shaped, tightly coiled tube

∙ Found on the superior part of the testis
and along the posterior lateral side
∙ Functions to mature and store sperm
cells (at least 20 days)
∙ Expels sperm with the contraction of
muscles in the epididymis walls to the
vas deferens
Ductus Deferens (Vas Deferens)

∙ Carries sperm from the epididymis to the

ejaculatory duct
∙ Passes through the inguinal canal and
over the bladder
∙ Moves sperm by peristalsis
∙ Spermatic cord – ductus deferens, blood
vessels, and nerves in a connective
tissue sheath
Ductus Deferens (Vas Deferens)

∙ Ends in the ejaculatory duct which

unites with the urethra
∙ Vasectomy – cutting of the ductus
deferens at the level of the testes to
prevent transportation of sperm
Urethra

∙ Extends from the base of the urinary

bladder to the tip of the penis
∙ Carries both urine and sperm
∙ Sperm enters from the ejaculatory duct
Urethra

∙ Regions of the urethra

∙ Prostatic urethra –surrounded by
prostate
∙ Membranous urethra – from prostatic
urethra to penis
∙ Spongy (penile) urethra – runs the
length of the penis
Seminal Vesicles

∙ Located at the base of the bladder

∙ Produces a thick, yellowish secretion
(60% of semen)
∙ Fructose (sugar)
∙ Vitamin C
∙ Prostaglandins
∙ Other substances that nourish and activate
sperm
Prostate Gland

∙ Encircles the upper part of the urethra

∙ Secretes a milky fluid
∙ Helps to activate sperm
∙ Enters the urethra through several small
ducts
Bulbourethral Glands

∙ Pea-sized gland inferior to the prostate

∙ Produces a thick, clear mucus
∙ Cleanses the urethra of acidic urine
∙ Serves as a lubricant during sexual
intercourse
∙ Secreted into the penile urethra
Semen
∙ Mixture of sperm and accessory gland
secretions
∙ Advantages of accessory gland
secretions
∙ Fructose provides energy for sperm cells
∙ Alkalinity of semen helps neutralize the
acidic environment of vagina
∙ Elements of semen enhance sperm motility
External Genitalia

∙ Scrotum
∙ Divided sac of skin outside the abdomen
∙ Maintains testes at 3°C lower than normal
body temperature to protect sperm viability
External Genitalia
∙ Penis
∙ Delivers sperm into the female reproductive
tract
∙ Regions of the penis
∙ Shaft
∙ Glans penis (enlarged tip)
∙ Prepuce (foreskin)
∙ Folded cuff of skin around proximal end
∙ Often removed by circumcision
Spermatogenesis

∙ Production of sperm cells

∙ Begins at puberty and continues
throughout life
∙ Occurs in the seminiferous tubules
Anatomy of a Mature Sperm Cell

∙ The only
human
flagellated cell
∙ DNA is found
in the head
Testosterone Production

∙ The most important hormone of the

testes
Testosterone Production
∙ Functions of testosterone
∙ Stimulates reproductive organ development
∙ Underlies sex drive
∙ Causes secondary sex characteristics
∙ Deepening of voice
∙ Increased hair growth
∙ Enlargement of skeletal muscles
∙ Thickening of bones
Female Reproductive System

∙ Ovaries
∙ Duct System
∙ Uterine tubes (fallopian tubes)
∙ Uterus
∙ Vagina
∙ External genitalia
Female Reproductive System
Ovaries
∙ Composed
of ovarian
follicles
(sac-like
structures)
∙ Structure of
an ovarian
follicle
∙ Oocyte
∙ Follicular cells
Ovarian Follicle Stages
∙ Primary follicle – contains an immature
oocyte
∙ Graafian (vesicular) follicle – growing
follicle with a maturing oocyte
∙ Ovulation – when the egg is mature the
follicle ruptures
∙ Occurs about every 28 days
∙ The ruptured follicle is transformed into a
corpus luteum
Support for Ovaries

∙ Suspensory ligaments – secure ovary to

lateral walls of the pelvis
∙ Ovarian ligaments – attach to uterus
∙ Broad ligament – a fold of the
peritoneum, encloses suspensory
ligament
Support for Ovaries
Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes

∙ Receive the ovulated oocyte

∙ Provide a site for fertilization
∙ Attaches to the uterus
∙ Does not physically attach to the ovary
∙ Supported by the broad ligament
Fallopian Tube Function

∙ Fimbriae – finger-like projections at the

distal end that receive the oocyte
∙ Cilia inside the uterine tube slowly move
the oocyte towards the uterus
(takes 3–4 days)
∙ Fertilization occurs inside the uterine
tube
Uterus

∙ Located between the urinary bladder

and rectum
∙ Hollow organ
∙ Functions of the uterus
∙ Receives a fertilized egg
∙ Retains the fertilized egg
∙ Nourishes the fertilized egg
Support for the Uterus

∙ Broad ligament – attached to the pelvis

∙ Round ligament – anchored interiorly
∙ Uterosacral ligaments – anchored
posteriorly
Support for the Uterus

Figure 16.8b

Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Slide 16.28b
Regions of the Uterus

∙ Body – main portion

∙ Fundus – area where uterine tube
enters
∙ Cervix – narrow outlet that protrudes
into the vagina
Walls of the Uterus
∙ Endometrium
∙ Inner layer
∙ Allows for implantation of a fertilized egg
∙ Sloughs off if no pregnancy occurs
(menses)
∙ Myometrium – middle layer of smooth
muscle
∙ Serous layer – outer visceral
peritoneum/perimetrium
Vagina

∙ Extends from cervix to exterior of body

∙ Behind bladder and in front of rectum
∙ Serves as the birth canal
∙ Receives the penis during sexual
intercourse
∙ Hymen – partially closes the vagina until
it is ruptured
External Genitalia (Vulva)

∙ Mons pubis
∙ Fatty area
overlying the
pubic symphysis
∙ Covered with
pubic hair after
puberty
Figure 16.9
External Genitalia (Vulva)

∙ Labia – skin folds

∙ Labia majora
∙ Labia minora

Figure 16.9
External Genitalia

∙ Vestibule
∙ Enclosed by labia majora
∙ Contains opening of the urethra and the
greater vestibular glands (produce mucus)
∙ Clitoris
∙ Contains erectile tissue
∙ Corresponds to the male penis
Oogenesis

∙ The total supply of eggs are present at

birth
∙ Ability to release eggs begins at puberty
∙ Reproductive ability ends at menopause
∙ Oocytes are matured in developing
ovarian follicles
Menstrual (Uterine) Cycle
∙ Cyclic changes of the endometrium
∙ Regulated by cyclic production of
estrogens and progesterone
∙ Stages of the menstrual cycle
∙ Menstrual stage – functional layer of the
endometrium is shed
∙ Proliferative stage – regeneration of
functional layer
∙ Secretory stage – endometrium increases
in size and readies for implantation
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian and Uterine
Cycles
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian and Uterine
Cycles
Hormone Production by the Ovaries
∙ Estrogens
∙ Produced by follicle cells
∙ Cause secondary sex characteristics
∙ Enlargement of accessory organs
∙ Development of breasts
∙ Appearance of pubic hair
∙ Increase in fat beneath the skin
∙ Widening and lightening of the pelvis
∙ Onset of menses
Hormone Production by the Ovaries

∙ Progesterone
∙ Produced by the corpus luteum
∙ Production continues until LH diminishes in
the blood
∙ Helps maintain pregnancy
Mammary Glands

∙ Present in both sexes, but only function

in females
∙ Modified sweat glands
∙ Function is to produce milk
∙ Stimulated by sex hormones (mostly
estrogens) to increase in size
Anatomy of Mammary Glands
∙ Areola – central pigmented area
∙ Nipple – protruding central area of
areola
∙ Lobes – internal structures that radiate
around nipple
∙ Alveolar glands – clusters of milk
producing glands within lobules
∙ Lactiferous ducts – connect alveolar
glands to nipple
The Effects of Pregnancy on the
Mother
∙ Pregnancy – period from conception
until birth
∙ Anatomical changes
∙ Enlargements of the uterus
∙ Accentuated lumbar curvature
Effects of Pregnancy on the Mother

∙ Physiological changes
∙ Gastrointestinal system
∙ Morning sickness is common due to
elevated progesterone
∙ Heartburn is common because of organ
crowding by the fetus
∙ Constipation is caused by declining
motility of the digestive tract
Effects of Pregnancy on the Mother

∙ Physiological changes
∙ Urinary System
∙ Kidneys have additional burden and
produce more urine
∙ The uterus compresses the bladder
Effects of Pregnancy on the Mother

∙ Physiological changes
∙ Respiratory System
∙ Nasal mucosa becomes congested and
swollen
∙ Vital capacity and respiratory rate
increase
Effects of Pregnancy on the Mother

∙ Physiological changes
∙ Cardiovascular system
∙ Body water rises
∙ Blood volume increases by 25 to 40
percent
∙ Blood pressure and pulse increase
∙ Varicose veins are common
Childbirth (Parturition)
∙ Labor – the series of events that expel
the infant from the uterus
∙ Initiation of labor
∙ Estrogen levels rise
∙ Uterine contractions begin
∙ The placenta releases prostaglandins
∙ Oxytocin is released by the pituitary
∙ Combination of these hormones produces
contractions
Initiation of Labor
Stages of Labor

∙ Dilation
∙ Cervix becomes dilated
∙ Uterine contractions begin and increase
∙ The amnion ruptures
Stages of Labor

∙ Expulsion
∙ Infant passes through the cervix and vagina
∙ Normal delivery is head first
∙ Placental stage
∙ Delivery of the placenta
Stages of Labor
Developmental Aspects of the
Reproductive System

∙ Gender is determined at fertilization

∙ Males have XY sex chromosomes
∙ Females have XX sex chromosomes
∙ Gonads do not begin to form until the
eighth week
Developmental Aspects of the
Reproductive System
∙ Reproductive system organs do not
function until puberty
∙ Puberty usually begins between ages
10 and 15
∙ The first menses usually occurs about
two years after the start of puberty
∙ Most women reach peak reproductive
ability in their late 20s
Developmental Aspects of the
Reproductive System

∙ Menopause occurs when ovulation and

menses cease entirely
∙ Ovaries stop functioning as endocrine
organs
∙ There is a no equivalent of menopause
in males, but there is a steady decline in
testosterone