ANPH 111 & GZOO 111

Reproductive
System
Prepared by Robert D. Unciano
 Introduction

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
ANATOMY OF THE MALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 TESTES

Each testis is connected to the trunk

via the spermatic cord which houses:

Blood vessels
Nerves
Ductus deferens
TESTES Coverings of the testes
Tunica albuginea—capsule that
surrounds each testes
Septa—extensions of the
capsule that extend into the
testis and divide it into lobules

Each lobule contains one to four

seminiferous tubules

Tightly coiled structures

Function as sperm-forming factories
Empty sperm into the rete testes
THE DUCT Epididymis
Highly convoluted tube 6 m (20 ft) long

SYSTEM Found along the posterior lateral side of the

testes
Temporary storage site for immature sperm
Sperm mature as they journey through the
epididymis
During ejaculation, sperm are propelled to the
ductus deferens

Vas Deferens

Runs from the epididymis via the spermatic

cord through the inguinal canal and arches
over the urinary bladder
Moves sperm by peristalsis into the urethra
THE DUCT
SYSTEM Ampulla—end of the ductus deferens, which
emptiesinto the ejaculatory duct

Ejaculatory duct—passes through the prostate

to merge with the urethra

Vasectomy—cutting of the ductus deferens at the

level of the testes prevents transportation of
sperm (form of birth control)

Ejaculation—smooth muscle in the walls of the

ductus deferens create peristaltic waves to
squeeze sperm forward
THE DUCT
SYSTEM 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

1. Prostatic urethra—surrounded by prostate

gland
2. Membranous urethra—prostatic urethra to
penis
3. Spongy (penile) urethra—runs the length of
the penis to the external urethral orifice
Accessory Organs and Semen
Seminal Glands
(Vesicles)
Located at the base of the bladder
Produce a thick, yellowish secretion
(60% of semen) that contains:
1. Fructose (sugar)
2. Vitamin C
3. Prostaglandins

Duct of each seminal vesicle joins that of

the ductus deferens on each side to
form the ejaculatory duct
 Prostate

Encircles the upper (prostatic)

part of the urethra
Secretes a milky fluid
Helps to activate sperm
Fluid enters the urethra through
several small ducts
Bulbourethral
Gland
Pea-sized glands inferior to the
prostate
Produce a thick, clear mucus
Mucus cleanses the spongy
(penile) urethra of acidic urine
prior to ejaculation
Mucus serves as a lubricant during
sexual intercourse
 Semen

Milky white mixture of sperm and accessory

gland secretions Components of accessory gland secretions
Liquid portion acts as a transport medium to
dilute sperm
Sperm are streamlined cellular “tadpoles”
Fructose provides energy for sperm cells
Alkalinity of semen helps neutralize the acidic
environment of vagina
Semen inhibits bacterias.
Accessory Organs and Semen
 Scrotum

Divided sac of skin outside the

abdomen that houses the testes
Viable sperm cannot be produced at
normal body temperature
Maintains testes at 3°C lower than
normal body temperature
Penis
Male organ of copulation that 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
 Penis

Internally there are three areas of

spongy erectile tissue around the
urethra
Erections occur when this erectile
tissue fills with blood during sexual
excitement
Testosterone
Production
 During
Puberty
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
begins prodding seminiferous
tubules to produce sperm
Luteinizing hormone (LH) begins
activating the interstitial cells to
produce testosterone
Testosterone
Most important hormonal product
of the testes
Stimulates reproductive organ
development
Underlies sex drive
Causes secondary sex
characteristics
Deepening of voice
Increased hair growth
Enlargement of skeletal muscles
Increased bone growth and
density
Female Reproductive System
 Ovaries

Produce eggs (ova) and hormones

(estrogen and progesterone)
Each ovary houses ovarian follicles
consisting of:
Oocyte (immature egg)
Follicle cells—layers of different
cells that surround
the oocyte
 Ovarian follicles
Primary follicle—contains an immature oocyte
Ovaries Vesicular (Graafian) follicle—growing follicle
with a maturing oocyte
Ovulation—the follicle ruptures when the egg is
mature and ready to be ejected from the ovary;
occurs about every 28 days.
The ruptured follicle is transformed into a
corpus luteum

Ovary support
Suspensory ligaments- secure the ovaries to
the lateral walls of the pelvis
Ovarian ligaments- anchor ovaries to the uterus
medially
Broad ligaments- a fold of peritoneum, enclose
and hold the ovariesin place
Duct System
 Uterine
(Fallopian) tubes
Form the initial part of the duct
system
Receive the ovulated oocyte from
the ovaries
Provide a site for fertilization
Empty into the uterus
Little or no contact between
ovaries and uterine tubes
Supported and enclosed by the
broad ligament
 Uterine
(Fallopian) tubes
Uterine (fallopian) tube structure
Infundibulum: Distal, funnel-shaped end
Fimbriae: Fingerlike projections of the
infundibulum
Receive the oocyte from the ovary
Cilia located inside the uterine tube
transport the oocyte
 Uterus

Situated between the urinary

bladder and rectum
Size and shape of a pear, in a
woman who has never been
pregnant
Receives, retains, nourishes a
fertilized egg
Uterus Uterine support
Broad ligament- suspends the uterus in the
pelvis
Round ligament -anchors the uterus anteriorly
Uterosacral ligament- anchors the uterus
posteriorly

Regions of the uterus

Body—main portion
Fundus—superior rounded region above where
uterine tube enters
Cervix—narrow outlet that protrudes into the
vagina
Uterus Layers of the uterus
Endometrium
Inner layer (mucosa)
Site of implantation of a fertilized egg
1. Sloughs off if no pregnancy occurs
(menstruation or menses)

Myometrium - the middle layer of smooth

muscle that contracts during labor

Perimetrium (visceral peritoneum)- the

outermostserous layer of the uterus
 Vagina
Passageway that extends from cervix
to exterior of body and is located
between urinary bladder and rectum
Serves as the canal that allows a baby
or menstrual flow to leave the body
Female organ of copulation
Receives the penis during sexual
intercourse
Hymen—partially closes the vagina
until it is ruptured
External Genitalia
and Perineum Mons Pubis

Fatty area overlying the pubic symphysis

Covered with pubic hair after puberty

Labia – skin folds

Labia majora
-Hair-covered skin folds
-Enclose the labia minora
-Also encloses the vestibule
Labia minora—delicate, hair-free
folds of skin
External Genitalia
and Perineum Vestibule

Enclosed by labia majora

Contains external openings of
the urethra and vagina

Greater vestibular glands

One is found on each side of the

vagina
Secretions lubricate vagina
during intercourse
 Clitoris
Contains erectile tissue
Corresponds to the male penis

The clitoris is similar to the penis in that it is:

Hooded by a prepuce
Composed of sensitive erectile tissue
Swollen with blood during sexual
excitement
The clitoris lacks a reproductive duct
 Perineum

Diamond-shaped region between the

anterior ends of the labial folds, anus
posteriorly, and ischial tuberosities
laterally
Hormone Production by the
Ovaries
 Estrogen
Estrogens are produced by follicle cells
Cause secondary sex characteristics
Enlargement of accessory organs of the
female reproductive system
Development of breasts
Appearance of axillary and pubic hair
Increase in fat beneath the skin,
particularly in hips and breasts
Widening and lightening of the pelvis
Onset of menses (menstrual cycle)
Progesterone
Progesterone is produced by the
corpus luteum
Production continues until LH
diminishes in the blood
Does not contribute to the
appearance of secondary sex
characteristics
Helps maintain pregnancy
Prepares the breasts for milk
production
MAMMARY
GLAND
Mammary
Glands
Present in both sexes, but function
only in females
Modified sweat glands
Function is to produce milk to
nourish a newborn
Stimulated by sex hormones (mostly
estrogens) to increase in size
Mammary
Glands
Areola—central pigmented area
Nipple—protruding central area of
areola
Lobes—internal structures that
radiate around nipple
Lobules—located within each
lobe and contain clusters of
alveolar glands
Mammary
Glands
Alveolar glands—produce milk
when a woman is lactating
(producing milk)
Lactiferous ducts—connect
alveolar glands to nipple
Lactiferous sinus—dilated portion
where milk accumulates
 Thank you!

This is my final presentation for this

sem!

It is an honor to serve you

Nursing Blk 2, 3, 7, 8, 10 & I am so proud of you all!
Psych Blk 2!

One of the best journey in my life I love you all Future Nurses &
and I got to share it with you! Psychologists!

Signing off! Robert D. Unciano