Reproductive system

• Gonads


  Primary sex organs
• Testes


  • In males
  • Produce gametes (sex cells)
  • Secrete hormones
• Ovaries


  • In females
  • Produce gametes (sex cells)
  • Secrete hormones
• Sperm


  Male gametes
• Ova (eggs)


  Female gametes
• Anatomy of the male reproductive system

  1. Testes

  2. Duct system

  3. Accessory organs and semen
• Testes


  • Connected to trunk via spermatic cord
  • Coverings: tunica albuginea, septa
  • Contain seminiferous tubules
• Duct system


  1. Epididymis

  2. Vas deferens

  3. Ampulla

  4. Ejaculatory duct

  5. Urethra
• Vasectomy


  Cutting of the ductus deferens to prevent transportation of sperm (form of birth control)
• Ejaculation


  Smooth muscle in walls of ductus deferens create peristaltic waves to squeeze sperm forward
• Parts of the urethra

  • Prostatic urethra
  • Membranous urethra
  • Spongy (penile) urethra

  
• Accessory organs


  • Seminal glands (vesicles)
  • Prostate
  • Bulbourethral gland
• Semen


  Milky white mixture of sperm and accessory gland secretions
• Scrotum


  • Divided sac of skin outside abdomen that houses testes
  • Maintains testes at 3°C lower than normal body temperature
• Penis


  • Male organ of copulation
  • Regions: shaft, glans penis, prepuce
  • Internally has 3 areas of spongy erectile tissue
• Testosterone production during puberty

  1. FSH begins producing sperm

  2. LH begins producing testosterone
• Testosterone


  • Most important hormonal product of testes
  • Stimulates reproductive organ development
  • Underlies sex drive
  • Causes secondary sex characteristics
• Female reproductive system


  1. Ovaries

  2. Duct system

  3. Uterus

  4. Vagina

  5. External genitalia and perineum
• Ovaries


  • Produce eggs and hormones
  • House ovarian follicles
• Ovulation


  Follicle ruptures when egg is mature and ready to be ejected from ovary
• Ovarian support


  • Suspensory ligaments
  • Ovarian ligaments
  • Broad ligaments
• Uterine (Fallopian) tubes


  • Form initial part of duct system
  • Receive ovulated oocyte
  • Provide site for fertilization
  • Empty into uterus
• Uterus


  • Receives, retains, nourishes fertilized egg
  • Uterine support: broad ligament, round ligament, uterosacral ligament
  • Regions: body, fundus, cervix
• Layers of the uterus

  • Endometrium
  • Myometrium
  • Perimetrium
• Vagina


  • Passageway from cervix to exterior of body
  • Serves as canal for baby or menstrual flow
  • Female organ of copulation
• External genitalia and perineum

  • Mons pubis
  • Labia majora
  • Labia minora
  • Vestibule
  • Clitoris
  • Perineum
• Estrogen


  • Produced by follicle cells
  • Causes secondary sex characteristics in females
• Progesterone


  • Produced by corpus luteum
  • Helps maintain pregnancy
  • Prepares breasts for milk production
• Mammary glands


  • Modified sweat glands
  • Function is to produce milk
  • Stimulated by sex hormones to increase in size
  • Structures: areola, nipple, lobes, lobules, alveolar glands, lactiferous ducts, lactiferous sinus