THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

- Composed of organs grouped together for 1 common function – to produce or multiply species of the same
kind.
- The purpose is to ensure the “survival of the species”

Functions of reproductive system:

1. to produce egg and sperm cells (gametes)
2. to transport and sustain these cells
3. to nurture a developing offspring
4. to produce sex hormones

Gametes – are the basic units of sexual reproduction

I. Male Reproductive System

A. Functions:
1. Spermatogenesis – process of sperm formation
2. Production of sex hormone – testosterone
A. controls the development, growth, and maintenance of sex organs
B. causes the development of secondary sex characteristics
C. stimulates the descent of the testes prior to birth
3. Performance of male sexual act
A. erection
B. lubrication
C. emission and ejaculation

B. Components:
- grouped into 3 categories based on function
1. Primary sex organ – the gonads (testes)

2. Secondary sex organs – essential for the transport, motility and nutrients of the sperm cells; consists of 3 categories:
A. sperm-transporting ducts – epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory duct, urethra
B. accessory sex glands – seminal vesicle, prostate gland, cowpers gland
C. copulatory organ – the penis which contains erectile tissue

3. Secondary sexual characteristics – features that are not essential for reproductive process, but are considered as
“sexual attractants”. Includes body physique, body hair, and voice pitch.

Parts of the male reproductive organ:

1. External organs
- Confined in a specific diamond shaped region known as the “perineum”, consists of a urogenital triangle and
anal triangle.

a. Scrotum – a sac or pouch like structure that hangs
from the root of the penis, composed of loosed skin,
superficial fascia, and muscles.
- Vertical septum divides the scrotum into two sacs,
containing a single testis
- function to support and protect the testes and
maintain the temperature of the testes at about
35degrees centigrade.
b. Penis – is the main copulatory organ of the male
reproductive system.
- composed of 3cylindrical columns of erectile tissue:
corpora cavernosa (2), corpora spongiosa (1)
Parts of the penis:
1. root of the penis – attached portion to the
abdominal wall
2. body of the penis – composed of erectile tissue
3. glans penis – cone-shaped terminal portion of the
penis, consists of the followingstructure: corona,
external urethral meatus, prepuce, frenulum

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2. Internal organs:

A. Male gonads (testes) – a paired ovoid structure measuring 5cm in length, enclosed in a fibrous sac called “tunica
albuginea”.

Structures of the gonads:

1. septae – a
partition formed inside the
testes
2. lobules –
compartments formed by the
septae
3. seminiferous
tubules – actual site of
spermatogenesis; formed by
two types of cell.
a. spermatogenic
cells – includes spermatids, spermatogonia, spermatocytes
b. sustentacular (sertoli) cells – provide nourishment for the germinal sperm
4. interstitial cell of leydig – secretes male sex hormone- “testosterone”

B. Spermatic ducts – store and transport sperm cell from the testes to the urethra.

1. epididymis – a 20 ft long flattened coma like tightly coiled organ attached to the posterior surface of the
testis; provides temporary storage site for immature sperm where they begin to gain motility and ability to
fertilize.

2. ductus (vas) deferens – an 18in long fibromuscular tube that conveys sperm cells from the epididymis to
the ejaculatory duct.

3. ejaculatory duct – a 2cm long tube formed by the union of the ampulla of the ductus deferens and duct of
the seminal vesicle; receive secretions from seminal vesicle and eject into the urethra.

4. urethra – the shared terminal duct of the reproductive and urinary systems and measures about 20cm in
length.

C. Accessory sex glands – secrete most of the liquid portion of the semen.

1. Seminal vesicle – a convulated pouch like structure about 2in in length posterior to and at the base of the
urinary bladder; constitute 60% of total semen volume.
- secretes alkaline, viscous fluid that contains fructose, prostaglandins and semenogelin.

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 2. Prostate gland – single, doughnut shaped gland about the size of a chestnut, inferior to the bladder and
surrounds the prostatic urethra, constitute 25-30% of total semen volume and considered as a health
destroyer.
- secretes milky, slightly acidic fluid for sperm motility and viability

3. Cowpers gland (bulbo-urethral gland) – about the size of a pea, inferior to prostate gland on either side of
membranous urethra within the urogenital diaphragm.
- secretes alkaline, mucus substance that protects the sperm by neutralizing acids in the urethra, and also
lubricates the end of the penis and lining of the urethra which decreases the number of sperm injured during
ejaculation.

Definition of terms:
1. Semen – literally mean “seed”, a milky white, sticky mixture of sperm and seminal fluid.
2. Inhibin – a hormone secreted by the sertoli cell that regulates the production of sperm cell
3. Inguinal hernia – a rupture or separation of a portion of the inguinal area of the abdominal wall resulting in the
protrusion of a part of the small intestine due to gravity.
4. Cryptorchidism – inability of the testes to descend
5. Vasectomy – a principal method for sterilization of males, in which a portion of each vas deferens is removed.
6. Castration – a surgical removal of the testes.

II. The Female Reproductive System

Components of the female reproductive system:

1. Ovaries – primary sex organ, which produce ova and female sex hormone
2. Uterine tubes (oviduct) – which transport sperm to ova and transport fertilized ova to uterus
3. Uterus (womb) – which nourishes and protects embryo and fetus
4. Vagina (birth canal) – site of sperm deposition
5. Vulva/pudendum – collective term for external genitalia in female; have a protective function and play a role in
sexual arousal
6. Mammary glands – contained in the paired breasts, produce milk for the newborn baby.

A. Internal Organs

1. Ovaries (Ovarium= egg receptacle) – the female gonads, paired exocrine and endocrine organ, measuring about
3cm long, 2cm wide and 1cm thick
- located in the pelvic part of the abdomen, one on each side of the uterus.
- Attached to the broad ligament by the mesovarium, anchored to the uterus by the ovarian ligament and
attached to the pelvic wall by the suspensory ligament.

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Functions of the ovaries:
1. for the production, development, and expulsion of the ova
2. for the production and secretion of female sex hormones
a. estrogen – promote the proliferation and growth of specific cells in the body, and responsible for the
development of secondary sex characteristics
b. progesterone – concerned for the final preparation of the uterus for pregnancy and the breasts for
lactation.

Structures of the ovaries:

1. germinal epithelium – covers the surface of the ovary
2. tunica albuginea – a whitish capsule found deep to the germinal epithelium
3. stroma – a region of connective tissue deep to the tunica albuginea composed of outer layer the cortex and a
deeper vascular layer known as the medulla.
4. ovarian follicles – found with in the cortex, consist of oocytes
5. mature (graafian) follicle – large-fluid filled follicle that soon will rupture and expel a secondary oocyte, a
process called “ovulation”.
6. corpus luteum – contains the remnants of an ovulated mature follicle, produces sex hormones, relaxin and
Inhibin.

2. Uterine Tubes – a 10cm (4in) long tube that extend laterally from the uterus and positioned between the folds of the
broad ligament.
- it transport oocytes from the ovaries to the uterus
- also known as the fallopian tubes or oviducts

Parts of the uterine tube:

1. infundibulum – a funnel shaped, open ended portion of the uterine tube closed to the uterus but not attached to
it; consist of a fimbriae, a fringed, finger like processes that project from the margins of the infundibulum.
2. ampulla – the widest, longest portion making up 2/3 of the tube; actual site of fertilization
3. isthmus – narrowest portion, and opens into the uterus

3. Uterus – a hollow, thick walled, muscular organ with the shaped of an inverted pear.
- the normal site of menstruation, implantation of a fertilized ovum, development of the fetus during pregnancy,
and labor.
- in a non-pregnant state, the size of the uterus is 3in long, 2 in wide at its broadest and 1in thick
- Attached to the lateral wall of the pelvis by two broad ligaments

Anatomical regions of the uterus:

1. fundus – uppermost dome-shaped region above the entrance of the uterine tubes
2. body – enlarged main portion
3. cervix – inferior constricted portion opening into the vagina
4. uterine cavity – space within the fundus and body regions of the uterus
a. cervical canal – extends thru the cervix and opens into the vagina
b. isthmus of the uterus – junction of uterine cavity with the cervical canal

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 c. uterine ostium – opening of the cervical canal into the vagina

Layers of the uterine wall:

1. perimetrium – outermost layer
2. myometrium – muscular layer
3. endometrium – innermost layer
a. superficial stratum functionale – layer that is shed as “menses” during menstruation
b. deeper stratum basale – vascular and serves to regenerate stratum functionale after each
menstruation.

4. Vagina – a fibro-muscular tubular organ, about 3-4 in long and extends from the cervix of the uteus to the outside.

Parts of the vagina:

1. fornix – a deep recess surrounding the projection of the cervix into the vagina
2. vaginal orifice – exterior opening
3. hymen – a thick fold of mucous membrane partially covers the orifice

Layers of the vaginal wall:

1. outer fibrous layer
2. middle muscular layer
3. iner mucosal layer – consists of a series of a folded membrane or ridges called “vaginal rugae”.

B. External Genitalia:

1. Mons pubis – an elevation of adipose tissue covered by skin and coarse pubic hair that cushions the pubic
symphysis, anterior to the vaginal and urethral openings.

2. Labia majora (labia majus) – two longitudinal folds of skin from the mons pubis that extends inferiorly and
posteriorly.; homologous to the scrotum and are covered by pubic hair.
- present of adipose tissue, sebaceous and apocrine glands.

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3. Labia minora (labia minus) – found medial to labia majora, a smaller folds of skin which is devoid of pubic hair and
fats, with a lots of sebaceous glands.

4. Clitoris – a small, cylindrical mass of erectile tissue and nerves.

- homologous to the penis in male, capable of enlargement.
- located at the anterior junction of the labia minora; consists of the following parts:
a. prepuce – foreskin formed by the labia minora that covers the clitoris
b. glans – exposed portion of the clitoris

5. Vestibule – the region between the labia minora; consists of the following parts
a. hymen
b. vaginal orifice
c. external urethral orifice
d. paraurethral (skene’s) gland – homologous to prostate gland in male
e. greater vestibular (bartholin’s) gland – homologous to cowpers gland in male

C. Mammary glands – are modified sweat glands that produce milk

Parts of the mammary glands:

1. nipple
2.lactiferous ducts – where milk emerges
3. areola – circular pigmented area of the skin
surrounding the nipple

Phases of female reproductive cycle:

- duration is 24-35 days

1. Menstrual Cycle d. premenstrual phase – occurs 1 day prior to

- usually lasts 28 – 35 days menstrual flow
- referred to as endometrial cycle
- divided into 4 phases 2. Ovarian Cycle
a. menstrual phase – or menstruation lasts for the 1st - Consists of events at the ovary coincident
5days (3-5 days) of the cycle. with the endometrial cycle.
b. proliferative phase – the time between menstruation - with 2 phases:
and ovulation; it lasts from days 6-13 in a 28-day a. follicular phase – induces the proliferate phase of
cycle, also known as the estrogenic phase the menstrual cycle
c. postovulatory ( secretory) phase – the most Ovulation – extrusion of the ovum from within the
constant in duration and lasts for 14days, from days ovary
15-28 in a 28-day cycle; b. luteal phase

Definition of terms:
1. hysterectomy – a surgical removal of the uterus
2. colposcopy – a procedure used to evaluate the status of the mucosa of the vagina and cervix.
3. episiotomy – a perineal cut made with surgical scissors, cut to enlarge the vaginal opening to make room for the
fetus to pass.
4. tubal ligation – surgical procedure by cutting the uterine tubes.