FUNCTIONS OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:

- Production of gametes (sperm cells in testes/oocytes in the ovaries)

- Fertilization
- Development and nourishment of new a new individual (the female reproductive system
nurtures the development of a new individual in the uterus and provides nourishment (milk)
after birth)
- Production of reproductive hormone
GAMETES – also known as sex cells
- These are the testes in males and ovaries in females
MEIOSIS – one cell undergoes two consecutive cell divisions to produce four daughter cells, each having
half as many chromosomes as the parent cell
MEIOSIS I
1. Early prophase I – the duplicated chromosomes become visible chromatids
2. Middle prophase I – crossover happens
3. Metaphase I – pairs of chromosomes align at the center of the cell
4. Anaphase I – chromosome move apart to opposite sides of the cell
5. Telophase I – new nuclei form, and the cell divides
MEIOSIS II
6. Prophase II – each chromosome consists of two chromatids
7. Metaphase II – chromosomes align along the center of the cell
8. Anaphase II – chromatids separate, each is now call a chromosome
9. Telophase II – new nuclei form around the chromosomes
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
DUCTS:
- Epididymis
- Ducta deferentia/vas deferens
- Urethra
ACCESORY GLANDS:
- Seminal vesicles
- Prostate gland
- Bulbourethral glands
SUPPORTING STRUCTURES:
- Penis
- Scrotum
SCROTUM – is a saclike structure containing the testes
 DARTOS MUSCLE – layer of loose connective tissue and a layer of smooth muscle that are beneath
the scrotum’s skin
 CREMASTER MUSCLE – extension of abdominal muscles that enter the scrotum
***they regulate the temperature in the testes for normal sperm cell production
TESTES – or male gonads, are oval organs, each about 4-5 cm long, within the scrotum
 SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES – site of sperm cell development
 SUSTENTACULAR CELLS / SERTOLI CELLS – nourish the germ cells and produce a number of
hormones
 INTERSTITIAL CELLS / LEYDIG CELLS – secrete testosterone (located outside the seminiferous
tubules)
SPERMATOGENESIS – is the formation of sperm cells
SPERMATOGONIA – are the cells from which the sperm cells arise; undeveloped sperm cells
*divides by mitosis – one spermatogonium; one spermatocyte
 *spermatocyte divides by meiosis and forms secondary spermatocyte
*secondary spermatocyte divides by meiosis to form spermatids
*permatids differentiate to form sperm cells
EPIDIDYMIS – series of threadlike tubules that form a comma shaped structure on the posterior side of
the testis
RETE TESTIS – seminiferous tubules of each testis converge into a tubular network
CAPACITATION – final changes in sperm cell; occur after ejaculation of semen into the vagina
VAS DEFERENS / DUCTUS DEFERENS – emerge from the epididymis and ascend along the posterior side
of the testis to become associated with the blood vessels and nerves that supply the testis
- Forms the SPERMATIC CORD: (forms the ff.:)
o Ductus deferens / vas deferens
o Testicular artery and veins
o Lymphatic vessels
o Testicular nerve
SEMINAL VESICLE – sac-shaped glands near the ampulla of the ductus deferens
EJACULATORY DUCT – extends into the prostate gland and ends by joining the urethra within the
prostate gland
URETHRA – extends from the urinary bladder to the distal end of the penis
PARTS OF THE URETHRA:
1. Prostatic Urethra – passes through the prostate gland
2. Membranous Urethra – passes through the floor of the pelvis and is surrounded by external
urinary sphincter
3. Spongy Urethra – extends the length of the penis and opens at its end
PENIS – is the male organ of copulation and functions in the transfer of sperms cells from male to
female
 CORPORA CAVERNOSA – dorsal portion and sides of the penis
 CORPUS SPONGIOSUM – ventral portion of the penis; expands the distal end of the penis to
form a cap (GLANS PENIS)
 PREPUCE / FORESKIN – loose fold of skin that covers the glans penis
PROSTATE GLAND – consists of both glandular and muscular tissue and is the size and shape of a walnut
BULBOURETHRAL GLAND / COWPER GLANDS – pair of small, mucus-secreting glands located near the
base of the penis
OVARIES – small organs suspended in the pelvic cavity
 SUSPENSORY LIGAMENT – ligaments that holds the ovaries in place
 OVARIAN LIGAMENT – attaches the ovaries to the superior margin of the uterus
OVARIAN FOLLICLES – contains the oocytes – the female sex cell
*4th month of development – ovaries contain 5M oogonia (the cells from which oocytes develop)

OOGENESIS
1. Primary oocyte (2M at birth then decreases to 300 000-400 000)
Only 400 will complete development and be released from the ovaries
Others degenerate after partial development
2. The surviving primary oocytes become surrounded by a single layer of granulosa cells (wc
creates the primordial follicle) and are present until puberty
3. Granulosa cells increase in number and size (happens after puberty)
4. Secondary follicles form when fluid filled vesicles develop and theca cells arise on the outside
5. Mature follicles form when the vesicles create a single antrum
6. Secondary oocyte is formed and a nonviable polar body (before ovulation; completion of
meiosis I)
 7. Begins meiosis II but stops at metaphase II (chromosomes align at the center)
8. During ovulation, the secondary oocyte is released from the ovaries
9. Secondary oocyte only completes meiosis II if fertilized by a sperm
10. Granulose cells divide rapidly, and enlarge to form the corpus luteum
11. Corpus luteum degenerates and forms a scar, or the corpus albicans

UTERINE TUBES / FALLOPIAN TUBE – extend from the area of the ovaries to the uterus
 FIMBRIAE – long, thin, processes located at the opening of each uterine tube
UTERUS – located in the pelvic cavity and as big as a medium-sized pear
 FUNDUS – the superior part of the uterus
 BODY – main part of the uterus
 CERVIX – narrower part of the uterus
3 LAYERS OF THE UTERINE WALL
1. PERIMETRIUM – or serous layer; is formed from the visceral peritonium
2. MYOMETRIUM – or muscular layer; consists of smooth muscles, and builds up most of the
uterine wall
3. ENDOMETRIUM – innermost layer of the uterus, consists of simple columnar epithelial cells with
an underlying connective tissue
VAGINA – is the female organ of copulation
- Allows menstrual flow and childbirth
 HYMEN – thin mucous membrane that may completely close the vaginal orifice
EXTERNAL GENITALIA
1. VULVA – external female genitalia
2. VESTIBULE – the space into which both the vagina and urethra open
3. LABIA MINORA – pair of thin, longitudinal skin folds
4. CLITORIS – small, erectile structure located in the anterior margin of the vestibule
5. LABIA MAJORA – two prominent, rounded forms of skin
6. MONS PUBIS – elevation of tissue over the pubic symphysis
CLINICAL PERINEUM – the space between the vagina and anus
MAMMARY GLANDS – are organs of milk production and are located in the breast
 NIPPLE
 AREOLA – circular, pigmented area
*enlarges during puberty due to hormone progesterone
 LOBES – is mainly composed of adipose tissues which gives the breast its shape
 LACTIFEROUS DUCT – opens independently to the surface of the nipple
 LOBULES – produces milk
o ALVEOLI – secretory sacs
o MYOEPITHELIAL CELLS – surrounds the alveoli and contract to expel milk from the
alveoli
FETAL DEVELOPMENT:
PRIMARY GERM LAYERS (implantation)
EMBRYONIC SHIELD:
 Amniotic cavity lined with the ECTODERM
 Yolk sac (supply nourishment only until implantation) lined with ENTODERM
o Provide the source of red blood cells until the embryo’s hematopoietic system is mature
enough to perform this function (until 12 th week of intrauterine life)
3rd week – fetal blood exchange nutrients with the maternal circulation across the chorionic villi
- Respiratory and digestive tract exists as a single tube
End of 4th week – septum begins to divide the esophagus and trachea; lung buds appear on the trachea
7th week – diaphragm forms
8 weeks – all organs are complete ; end of embryonic period)
16th day – network of blood vessels and single heart tube
24th day – first beat of the heart
6-7th week – septum that divides the heart into chambers ; heart valves (7 th week)
10th-12th week – heartbeat may be heard using a DUS
11th week – ECGs may be recorded, but still unofficial (becomes official only on 20 th week = conduction is
more regulated)
28th week – sympathetic nervous system is matured
- Heart rate is 5bpm (baseline)
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