Reproductive system

• External genitalia

  • collectively called vulva
  • protects internal organs
  • plays a role in sexual arousal and intercourse
• Labia majora

  • two large folds forming the boundary of the vulva
  • composed of skin, fibrous tissue, and fat
  • contains a large number of sebaceous and eccrine glands
• Labia minora

  • two smaller folds of skin between the labia majora, containing numerous sebaceous and eccrine sweat glands
  • open into the vestibule
• Vestibule

  • cleft between labia minora
• Clitoris

  • corresponds to the penis in males and contains sensory nerve endings and erectile tissue
• Vestibular glands

  • aka bartholin's glands
  • situated on each side near the vaginal opening
  • secretes mucus that keeps the vulva moist
• Perineum

  • roughly triangular area extending from the base of the labia minora to the anal canal
  • consists of connective tissue, muscle, and fat
  • gives attachment to the muscles of the pelvic floor
• Vagina

  • fibromuscular tube lined with stratified squamous epithelium
  • opens to the vestibule at its distal end; uterine cervix protrudes into the proximal end
  • acts as receptacle during sexual intercourse
  • provides elastic passageway during childbirth
• Hymen

  • thin layer of mucous membrane that partially occludes the opening of the vagina
  • normally incomplete to allow passage of menstrual flow
  • stretched or completely torn away by sexual intercourse, insertion of a tampon, or childbirth
• Lactobacillus acidophilus

  • secretes lactic acid
• pH in the vagina

  • 3.5-4.9 - inhibits growth of bacteria
• Uterus

  • hollow muscular pear-shaped organ, flattened anteroposteriorly
  • lined with endometrium - thickened during mens
  • menstrual cycle
  • fertilization and implantation
  • pregnancy support
  • labor and delivery
• Progesterone and Estrogen Levels

  • decrease significantly just prior to menstruation due to the degeneration of the corpus luteum
• Uterine tubes

  • aka fallopian tubes
  • tubes that transport ova from the ovaries to the uterus
  • lined with ciliated epithelium
  • propel the ovum from the ovary to the uterus by peristalsis and ciliary movement
  • fertilization of the ovum
• Ovaries

  • female gonads
  • attached to the upper part of the uterus by ovarian ligament
  • production of ova (eggs)
  • releases hormones such as estrogen and progesterone
• Breast

  • aka mammary gland
  • accessory organ
  • consists of varying amounts of glandular tissue responsible for milk production
• Nipple

  • small conical eminence at the center of the breast
• Areola

  • pigmented area surrounding the nipple
• Montgomery's tubercles

  • numerous sebaceous glands on the surface of areola
  • lubricates the nipples during lactation
• flow of milk:

  mammary glands > lactiferous ducts > lactiferous sinuses > nipple
• functions of female repro:

  • formation of ova
  • provision of suitable environments for fertilization and fetal development
  • childbirth
  • lactation
• Scrotum

  • pouch of pigmented skin, fibrous and connective tissue, and smooth muscle
  • divided into two compartments, each contains one testis, one epididymis
  • houses the testes and regulates temperature which is crucial for sperm production
• Testes

  • male reproductive glands and are equivalent of the ovaries in the female
  • 200-300 lobules
  • production of sperm in the seminiferous tubules of the testes
• Spermatic cord

  • suspend the testes in the scrotum
• Vas deferens

  • aka deferent duct
  • joined by the duct from the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct
  • transports mature sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts
• Seminal vesicle

  • two small fibromuscular pouches
  • 60% volume of semen
  • secretes seminal fluid during ejaculation
  • seminal fluid contains fructose to fuel the sperm during their journey through the female reproductive tract
• Ejaculatory ducts

  • two tubes, about 2 centimeters long, each formed by the union of the duct from a seminal vesicle and a deferent duct
  • pass through the prostate gland and join the prostatic urethra, carrying seminal fluid and sperm to the urethra
• Epididymis

  • coiled tube where sperm mature and are stored
• Urethra

  • provides a common pathway for the flow of urine and semen
  • has 2 sphincters - internal and external
• Prostate gland

  • contains 30% volume of semen
• functions of male repro:

  • production, maturation, and storage of sperm
  • delivery of sperm in semen into the female reproductive tract
• Internal sphincter

  • ring of smooth muscle at the neck of the bladder above the prostate gland
• External sphincter

  • ring of skeletal muscle surrounding the membranous part
• Penis

  • root anchors the organ, shaft (body) is the externally visible, movable portion of the organ
  • formed by 3 cylindrical muscles - corpus spongiosum & (2) corpora cavernosa
  • organ for sexual intercourse
  • contains the urethra
• Menopause

  • irreversible cessation of the reproductive cycle and menses after the ovaries permanently fail to respond to gonadotropin
  • occurs naturally around age 51 but often occurs earlier in smokers
  • late 40s and early 50s – filipinos
• symptoms of menopause are due to the lack of estrogen
• symptoms of menopause:

  • vasomotor instability
  • atrophic changes of the vagina and urethra
  • menopausal syndrome
• treatment for menopause:

  • lifestyle changes
  • hormone therapy
  • herbal therapy
• herbal therapy: black cohosh

  • addresses hot flushes
• herbal therapy: ginseng

  • cope up with stress