Reproductive System (Midterms)

• Reproductive System

  • "genital system"
  • biological system made up of all the anatomical organs involved in sexual reproduction
• Important accessories to Reproductive System (Non-living substances):

  • Fluids
  • Hormones
  • Pheromones
• Pheromones

  • secreted by the body which will be given to another individual
  • useful if two individuals are of the same species (e.g. monkey to monkey or person to person)
• Involved in producing offspring (children):

  • Tissues
  • Glands
  • Organs
• Nuremberg Law

  • you cannot clone an individual
• Female Genitalia

  1. Ovaries
  2. Fallopian tubes
  3. Uterus
  4. Cervix
  5. Vagina
  6. Breast
• Male Genitalia

  1. Prostate
  2. Testes
  3. Penis
  4. Seminal vesicle
  5. Prostate gland
  6. Vas deferens
• Fistula

  • abnormal connection between vagina and urinary bladder
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

  • prostate is enlarged but not cancerous
• Functions of Male Reproductive System

  • produce egg and sperm cells (transport and sustain these cells)
  • nurture the developing offspring
  • produce hormones
• Lactiferous duct

  • connects the lobes of the mammary glands to the nipple for the secretion of milk to the infant
• 1st trimester

  • most delicate stage of gestation
• Vagina

  • receptacle of penis
• Penis

  • pumping organ to release sperm and to urinate
• Male External Genitalia

  1. Penis
  2. Scrotum
  3. Testes
• Male Internal Genitalia

  1. Epididymis
  2. Vas deferens
  3. Ejaculatory duct
  4. Seminal vesicles
  5. Prostate gland
  6. Urethra
• Penis

  • male organ of copulation and the passageway for urine
• Sexual excitement

  • leads to venous congestion which causes distention and erection
• Scrotum

  • protects and supports the testes and sperm
• Testes

  • paired reproductive organs in the scrotum which hangs outside the human body
• Normal sperm production

  • requires cooler outside temperature
• Parts of the Sperm

  1. Head
  2. Middle piece
  3. Tail
• Ejaculation

  • ejection of sperm from penis
  • 300-500 million sperm
• Epididymis

  • stores sperm as it develops the power of motility
  • has the capability to fertilize the female ovum
• Vas deferens

  • stores most sperm
  • where sperm continues to mature
• Seminal vesicles

  • produce a yellowish, alkaline fluid rich in basic sugar and protein
• Seminal fluid (semen)

  • enhances sperm motility by nourishing the sperm and improving pH
• Ejaculatory duct

  • passageway through which semen enters the urethra
• Prostate gland

  • secreted fluid during sexual activity to add volume to semen
  • enhance sperm motility
  • neutralize male urethral and vaginal acidity to enhance fertility
• Urethra

  • passageway for semen during ejaculation
  • canal for urine during voiding
• Bulbourethral glands

  • secretes alkaline fluid that also neutralizes the acid secretions found in the urethra to ensure the safe passage of sperm
• Testosterone

  • secreted by testicular interstitial cells (Leydig's cells)
• Testicular interstitial cells (Leydig's cells)

  • essential for the development and maintenance of male sex organs and secondary sex characteristics
• Testosterone secretion

  • begins in the utero and increases at puberty
  • controlled by luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secreted by anterior pituitary gland
• Vesiculography

  • use of special x-ray equipment and dye to examine the seminal vesicles and related structures
  • most often used when prostate disease or cancer is suspected in men
  • radiographic exam of the seminal vesicle
• Prostatography

  • safe adjuvant radiologic procedure to obtain a 3-dimensional image of prostatic hypertrophy
• Scrotal ultrasonography

  • most common initially performed noninvasive examination used to image the male reproductive system
• MRI of scrotum

  • recommended for the characterization of paratesticular and intratesticular lesions
  • best imaging for testes
• Cystography

  • radiographic examination of prostate gland
• Most common radiographic exams to diagnose problem:

  • Computed tomography (CT) or Computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan
  • Fluoroscopy (including upper GI and barium enema)
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)