HS-FPH101 Track 2

Foundations to Public Health

THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

ANATOMY OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Gonads – primary sex organs
o Testes in males
▪ Capable of producing sperm
o Ovaries in females
▪ Responsible for continuous development of ova
every month
• Gonads produce gametes (sex cells) and secrete
hormones
o Sperm – male gametes
o Ova (eggs) – female gametes
▪ Both play an important role in reproduction among
male and females
▪ Involves the presence of 23 chromosomes
▪ The union of these cells deploy 46 chromosomes
that is capable of continuous division to form a full
pledged individual
▪ Fusion takes place during fertilization and produces
a product called zygote
▪ Hormones are responsible for secondary sex
characteristics
Males Females
Testosterone Estrogen and Progesterone
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Testes
• Duct system
o Epididymis
o Vas deferens
o Urethra
• Accessory Organs
o Seminal glands
o Prostate
o Bulbourethral glands
• External genitalia
o Penis
o Scrotum
TESTES
• Each testis is connected to the trunk via the spermatic cord
• Main Characteristics: external manifestation of the organs
which houses
o Testes and Penis
o Blood vessels – supply oxygenation
o Makes it different from the female reproductive
o Nerves – play a role in allowing the activities to take
system
place as commanded by the nervous system
o Ductus (vas) deferens – ensure that the contents
that is released by the sperm will eventually be
directed towards the area where it has to be released
(passageway)
▪ Require continuous nourishment and oxygenation in
order to perform its vital processes
• Coverings of the testes
o Tunica albuginea – capsule that surrounds each
testis
▪ The testes are in an external manifestation because
it needs to have the appropriate temp. to ensure
viability of sperm (away from core)
o Septa – extensions of the capsule that extend into
the testis and divide it into lobules
▪ Appropriate partition between the lobules and proper
spacing of these structures as extension

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o Ejaculation – smooth muscle in the walls of the

ductus deferens create peristaltic waves to squeeze
sperm forward
▪ Reason why there is a trajectory in release
o Vasectomy – cutting of the ductus deferens at the
level of the testes and prevents the transportation of
sperm (form of birth control); Voluntary Surgical
Contraception (VSC) – 99.9% effective
• Urethra
o Extends from the base of the urinary bladder to the
tip of the penis
o Carries both urine and sperm
▪ Sperm originates from testes
▪ Urine originates from urinary bladder
o Sperm enters from the ejaculatory duct
Regions of the Urethra
Prostatic urethra Surrounded by prostate gland
Membranous urethra Prostatic urethra to penis
Spongy (penile) urethra Runs the length of the penis to the
external orifice
o Ejaculation causes the internal urethra sphincter to
• Each lobule contains 1-4 seminiferous tubules close
o Tightly coiled structures ▪ Prevents urine from passing into the urethra
o Function as sperm-forming factories ▪ Prevents sperm form entering the urinary bladder
o Empty sperm into rete testis ACCESSORY GLANDS AND SEMEN
• Sperm travels from the rete testis to the epididymis • Seminal vesicles
o Articulations between the lobules and epididymis o Located at the base of the bladder
o Proximal to testes o Produce a thick yellowish secretion (60% semen)
• Interstitial cells in the seminiferous tubules produce that contains
androgens s.a testosterone ▪ Fructose
• The testes is able to produce its own sex hormone through ▪ Vit. C
the influence of the pituitary gland ▪ Prostaglandins
o Testosterone – secondary sex characteristics ▪ Other substances that nourish and activate sperm
DUCT SYSTEM (promotion of motility)
• The duct system transports sperm from the body and o Duct of each seminal vesicle joins that of the ductus
includes deferens on each side to form the ejaculatory duct.
o Epididymis • Prostate
o Ductus deferens o Encircles the upper (prostatic) part of the urethra
o Urethra o Secretes a milky fluid
• Epididymis ▪ Helps to activate sperm
o Highly convoluted tube 6m (20ft long) ▪ Fluid enters the urethra through several small ducts
o Found along the posterior lateral side of the testes ▪ Contributes to an amount in semen
o First part of the male duct system • Bulbourethral glands
o Temporary storage for immature sperm o Pea sized gland inferior to the prostate (below the
o Sperm mature as they journey through the prostate)
epididymis o Produce a thick, clear mucus
o During ejaculation, sperm are propelled to the ductus ▪ Mucus cleanses the spongy (penile) urethra of acidic
deferens urine prior to ejaculation (acidity of urine is not
▪ Forceful release of sperm during orgasm (peak of favorable for alkaline sperm)
sexual intercourse) ▪ Mucus serves as a lubricant during sexual
▪ Enclosed in semen (sperm) intercourse
▪ Testes → epididymis → ductus deferens • Semen
• Ductus (vas) deferens o Milky white mixture of sperm and accessory gland
o Runs from the epididymis via the spermatic cord secretions
through the inguinal canal and arches over the o Components of accessory gland secretions
urinary bladder (fr the epididymis) ▪ Liquid portion acts as a transport medium to dilute
▪ Ampulla – end of the ductus deferens, which empties sperm
into the ejaculatory duct ▪ Sperm are streamlined cellular tadpoles (flagella)
▪ Ejaculatory duct – passes through the prostate to ▪ Fructose provides energy for sperm cells
merge with the urethra; makes the release of urine ▪ Alkalinity of semen helps neutralize the acidic
and semen possible environment of vagina
o Since there is a same portal for the release of urine ▪ Semen inhibits bacteria
and semen they are of the same structure before
release
o Moves sperm by peristalsis into the urethra

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EXTERNAL GENITALIA FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• Scrotum •Ovaries
o Divided sac of skin outside the abdomen that houses •Duct system
the testes o Uterine (fallopian) tubes
▪ External covering of testes o Uterus
o Viable sperm cannot be produced at normal body o Vagina
temperature • External genitalia
▪ thermoregulation • Concept of reproduction
o Maintains testes at 3 deg C lower than normal body o Most intricacies are associated with women
temp o Pregnancy
• Penis • Main Characteristic: internally deviated
o Male organ of copulation that delivers sperm into the o Pregnancy – space is important (abdomen)
female reproductive tract (for sexual penetration) o Since uterus needs to accommodate the growing
Regions of the Penis offspring
Shaft body o Acts as reception during sexual intercourse to
Glans Penis Enlarged tip facilitate the entry of the penis
Prepuce (foreskin) Folded cuff of skin around
the proximal end
Often removed by
circumcision
o Internally, there are three areas of spongy erectile
tissues around the urethra
▪ Vasocongestion; increased presence of blood
o Erections occur when erectile tissue fills up with
blood during sexual excitement
▪ Reason why it turns red and structure becomes
harder than usual

OVARIES
• Produce eggs (ova) and hormones (estrogen and
progesterone)
o Estrogen – main hormone for secondary sex
characteristics
o Progesterone – play a role for pregnancy
• Each ovary houses ovarian follicles consisting of
o Oocyte (immature egg)
o Follicle cells – layers of diff cells that surround the
oocyte
▪ Maturation of the egg

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Ovarian Follicles Cervix Narrow outlet that protrudes into the vagina
Primary Follicle Contains an immature oocyte Play a role in accommodating the penis during
Vesicular (Graafian) follicle
Growing follicle with a maturing intercourse
oocyte
Ovulation The follicle ruptures when the egg Layers of the uterus
is mature and ready to be ejected Endometrium Inner layer
from the ovary; occurs about Site of implantation
every 28 days Sloughs off if no pregnancy occurs
The ruptured follicle is transformed into a corpus luteum (menstruation or menses)
• Ovary support Myometrium Middle layer of smooth muscle that contracts
o Suspensory ligaments secure the ovaries to the during labor
lateral walls of the pelvis Perimetrium Outermost serous layer of the uterus
o Ovarian ligaments anchor ovaries to the uterus (visceral Creates the shape of the uterus
medially peritoneum)
o Broad ligaments, a fold of peritoneum, enclose and • Vagina
hold the ovaries in place o Passageway that extends from the cervix to the
interior of the body and is located between the
urinary bladder and rectum
o Serves as canal that allows a baby or menstrual flow
to leave the body
o Female organ of copulation
▪ Males – penis; used as structure of copulation
▪ Can extend until cervix depending on degree of
penetration
o Receives the penis during sexual intercourse
o Hymen – partially closes vagina until it is ruptured
▪ Associated with virginity; but it is not significant since
it can rupture through other means like strenuous
work
EXTERNAL GENITALIA AND FEMALE PERINEUM
DUCT SYSTEM
• Uterine (fallopian) tubes
o Form the initial part of the duct system
o Receive the ovulated oocyte from ovaries
(maturation)
o Provide a site for fertilization (union between
gametes)
▪ Happens primarily in the upper outer turn (ampulla)
which is the main site for fertilization
o Empty into uterus
o Little or no contact between ovaries and uterine
tubes
o Supported and enclosed by the broad ligament
Uterine (fallopian) tube structure
Infundibulum Distal, funnel shaped end
Fimbriae Fingerlike projections of
the infundibulum
Receive oocyte from • Mons pubis
ovary o Fatty area overlying the pubic symphysis
Cilia located inside the o Covered with pubic hair after puberty
uterine tube transport the • Labia
oocyte o Skin folds that cover other structure
• Uterus o Labia majora
▪ Site of implantation ▪ Hair covered skin folds
o Situated between the urinary bladder and rectum ▪ Enclose the labia minora
o Size and shape of a pear (in a woman who has never ▪ Encloses the vestibule
been pregnant) o Labia minora
o Receives, retains and nourishes a fertilized egg ▪ Delicate, hair free folds of skin
o Uterine Support • Vestibule
▪ Broad ligament suspends the uterus in the pelvis o Enclosed by labia majora
▪ Round ligament anchors the uterus anteriorly o Contains external openings of the urethra and
▪ Uterosacral ligament anchors the uterus posteriorly vagina (different passageway of vaginal secretions
Regions of the uterus and urine)
Body Main portion o Grater vestibular glands
Fundus Superior rounded region above where the ▪ One is found on each side of vagina
uterine tube enters ▪ Secretions lubricate vagina during intercourse

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▪ Maintains acidic environment

• Clitoris
o Contains erectile tissue
o Corresponds to male penis
o The clitoris is similar to the penis in that it is:
▪ Hooded by a prepuce
▪ Composed of sensitive erectile tissue
▪ Swollen with blood during erectile excitement
(vasocongestion)
o Lacks a reproductive duct
• Urethral orifice
• Vaginal orifice
• Greater vestibular glands
• Perineum
o Diamond shaped region between the anterior ends
of the labial folds, anus posteriorly and ischial
tuberosities laterally
▪ Ischial tuberosities – associated with the pelvis
MAMMARY GLANDS
• Present in both sexes but function only in females
o Modified sweat glands
• Function: produce milk to nourish newborn
• Stimulated by sex hormones (mostly estrogen) to increase
in size

Parts of the Mammary Glands

Areola Central pigmented area
Nipple Protruding central area of areola
Lobes Internal structures that radiate around
nipples
Lobules Located within each lobe and contains
clusters of alveolar glands
Alveolar glands Produce milk when a woman is lactating
Lactiferous ducts Connect alveolar glands to nipple
Lactiferous sinus Dilated portion where milk accumulates

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