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REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY LECTURE
CHARMAINE MAAÑO, PTRP

THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• The reproductive organs of men and women produce
gametes and also contribute to the development of
secondary sex characteristics.
• Male testes produce sperm, whereas female ovaries
produce eggs. When an egg and a sperm join, an embryo
is formed.

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• Gonads or primary sex organs, are the testes in men

and the ovaries in women

GONADS • The gonads produce sex cells or gametes and secrete

hormones
• Although male and female reproductive systems are
different, their joint purpose is to produce offspring.

ANATOMY OF THE MALE

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• The testes has both an

exocrine (sperm-producing)
function and and endocrine
(testosterone-producing)
function.
• The accessory reproductive
structures are ducts or
glands that aid in the
delivery of sperm to the
body exterior or to the
female reproductive tract.

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Spermatic cord

TESTES
• small, oval-shaped organs, each about 4–5 cm
long, within the scrotum
• Each testis is connected to the trunk via the
spermatic cord, a connective tissue sheath that
encloses blood vessel, nerves and the ductus
deferens
• The tunica albuginea surrounds each testis and
extensions of this capsule continues into the
testis dividing into wedge-shaped lobules

Spermatic cord
(blood vessels, nerves,
Ductus deferens) TESTES
Epididymis

Ductus • The tunica albuginea surrounds each testis and

deferens
extensions of this capsule continues into the
testis dividing into wedge-shaped lobules
Rete testis
• Seminiferous tubules – the actual “sperm-
forming factories”; they empty sperm into the
Seminiferous rete testis
tubules
• Sperm travel via the rete testis to enter the first
Tunica albuginea
part of the duct system, the epididymis
(lobules)

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Seminiferous tubules

TESTES
• Interstitial cells (Leydig cells) – located in the soft
connective tissue surrounding the seminiferous
tubules; they produce androgens (testosterone)

Leydig cells

DUCT SYSTEM
• The accessory organs forming the male duct system, which
transports sperm from the body.
• Parts: epididymis, ductus deferens, and urethra

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EPIDIDYMIS
• First part of the duct system and a temporary
storage site for the immature sperm
• While the sperm make their way along the
epididymis (a trip that takes about 20 days), they
Epididymis
mature, developing the ability to swim
• When a man is sexually stimulated and
ejaculates, the walls of the epididymis contract to
expel the sperm into the ductus deferens

DUCTUS DEFERENS
Ductus
deferens
• Also known as “vas deferens”
• It emerges from the tail of the epididymis and
ascends along the posterior side of the testis
medial to the epididymis, where it associates with
Epididymis
the blood vessels and nerves that supply the
testis to form the spermatic cord

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DUCTUS Urinary bladder

DEFERENS Ampulla of
Ductus deferens

Ejaculatory duct
• The end of the ductus deferens Prostate
expands as the ampulla and then
empties into the ejaculatory duct,
which passes through the prostate to
merge with the urethra.
• The main function of the ductus
deferens is to propel live sperm from Urethra
their storage sites into the urethra

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Prostatic urethra

Membranous
urethra
URETHRA
• Terminal part of the male duct system, extending
from the base of the urinary bladder to the tip of
the penis
• It carries both urine and sperm but both do not
leave the urethra at the same time
Spongey • Three (3) parts:
urethra
1. Prostatic Urethra
2. Membranous Urethra
3. Spongy (Penile) Urethra

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URETHRA
• When ejaculation occurs and
sperm enter the prostatic
urethra, the bladder
sphincter (internal urethral
sphincter) constricts
• This event prevents urine
from passing into the urethra
and sperm from entering the
urinary bladder.

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ACCESSORY GLANDS
• The accessory glands produce the bulk of semen, the sperm-containing fluid that is
propelled out of the male’s reproductive tract during ejaculation
1. SEMINAL VESICLES
2. PROSTATE
3. BULBORETHRAL GLANDS

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Ampulla of ductus deferens

Seminal vesicle

SEMINAL VESICLES
• Large hollow glands located at the base of the bladder
• They produce about 60% of seminal fluid or the fluid
portion of the semen
• The seminal fluid is thick, yellowish and is rich in sugar
(fructose), vitamin C, prostaglandins, and other substances
that nourish and activate the sperm passing through the
tract

Ejaculatory duct

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PROSTATE
• It is a walnut-shaped gland which
encircles the upper part of the urethra
(prostatic urethra)
• It produces a thin, milky secretion
called prostate fluid which plays a role
in activating sperm
• During ejaculation, the fluid enters the
urethra through several small ducts

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BULBORETHRAL GLANDS
• Tiny, pea-sized glands inferior to the prostate gland
• They produce a thick, clear mucus that drains into the
spongey/penile urethra when a man becomes sexually
excited
• It cleanses the urethra of trace acidic urine prior to
ejaculation, and it serves as a lubricant during sexual
intercourse

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SEMEN
• A milky white, sticky mixture of sperm and accessory gland
secretions
• The liquid portion acts as a transport medium for nutrients and
chemicals that protect the sperm and aid their movement
• The fructose in seminal fluid provides the energy fuel of
sperms
• It also contains antibiotic chemicals that destroy certain
bacteria, the hormone relaxin, and enzymes that enhance
sperm motility
• Amount of semen propelled during ejaculation is usually
around only 2-5mL, but there are 50-150 million sperm in each
milliliter.

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EXTERNAL
GENITALIA
• Scrotum – a divided sac of
skin that acts as a pouch for
the testis and hangs between
the legs at the root of the
penis
• It provides and maintains
a lower temperature (3˚C
or 5.4˚F) for the testis
which is necessary for
production of a healthy
sperm

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EXTERNAL GENITALIA
• Penis – functions to deliver sperm into the female
reproductive tract
• Glans penis – enlarged rounded tip or head of
the penis
• Prepuce or foreskin – loose skin covering the
penis which is usually surgically removed in a
procedure called circumcision
• Frenulum – elastic band of tissue connecting
the prepuce to the glans

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EXTERNAL GENITALIA
• Internally, the spongy urethra is surrounded by three
elongated areas of erectile tissue, a spongy tissue that fills
with blood during sexual excitement
• This event, called erection, helps the penis serve as the
male organ of copulation (sexual intercourse) to deliver the
semen into the female reproductive tract
• Ejaculation is the discharge of semen from the male
reproductive tract

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BENIGN PROSTATIC
HYPERPLASIA (BPH)
• It is a common condition in men
as they get older, in which the
prostate gland is enlarged but
not cancerous.
• This troublesome condition
makes urination difficult and
enhances the risk of bladder
infections (cystitis) and kidney
damage.

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PROSTATE CANCER
• Third most prevalent cancer in men
• Most cases of prostate cancer are slow-growing, but it can
also be a swift and deadly killer
• It's not clear what causes prostate cancer but doctors know
that prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate
develop changes in their DNA
• Risk factors: Older age (above 50), Family history, Obesity
• Complications: Erectile dysfunction, Urinary incontinence,
metastasis of cancer

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MALE REPRODUCTIVE
FUNCTIONS

• Spermatogenesis
• Testosterone Production

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SPERMATOGENESIS
• Sperm production or spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules
begins during puberty and continues throughout life
• Spermatogonia – primitive stem cells found in the outer edge of each
tubule that begin spermatogenesis
• These cells go through rapid mitotic divisions from birth until puberty to
produce more stem cells
• During puberty, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is secreted to stimulate
spermatogenesis in testes

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SPERMATOGENESIS
• Type A Daughter Cell – remains at the tubule to
maintain the stem cell population
• Type B Daughter Cell – transported towards the
tubule, where it becomes a primary spermatocyte

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SPERMATOGENESIS
• MEIOSIS – special type of cell division that
occurs only in the gonads (testes and ovaries)
• It has two (2) successive divisions (meiosis I and
meiosis II) that will result in to four (4) spermatids or
gametes
• Spermatids are non-functional sperm that contain
half of the genetic material present in the original
primary spermatocyte

• In the last stage of spermatogenesis, all the

excess cytoplasm of the spermatids are
sloughed off and a tail is now formed which
allows the sperm to propel itself

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TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION
• During puberty, the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is secreted and
activates the interstitial cells or Leydig cells to produce testosterone
continuously for the rest of a man’s life
• Testosterone stimulates the adolescent growth spurt that prompts
development of reproductive organs, sex drive and secondary sex
characteristics
• Secondary sex characteristics (masculine): Deepening of the voice,
increased hair growth all over the body, enlargement of skeletal
muscles and bone growth

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ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• Ovaries are the primary

female reproductive organs
that produce both an
exocrine product (eggs or
ova) and endocrine product
(estrogen and progesterone)
• The other organs of the
female reproductive system
serve as accessory structures
to transport, nurture
reproductive cells and/or the
developing fetus

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Ovaries

OVARIES

• The two ovaries are small,

paired oval-shaped organs that
lie on the posterior wall of the
pelvis lateral to the uterus
• The ovaries produce the egg
cells, called the ova or oocytes
which are then transported to
the fallopian tubes

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Ovarian follicles
OVARIES oocyte

• Inside an ovary, many tiny

sac-like structures called
ovarian follicles are present
and each follicle consists of
an immature egg, called an
oocyte

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OVARIES Primary follicle growing follicles

• Antrum – fluid-filled central

region developed within a
mature follicle
• Vesicular or Graafian follicle
– mature and enlarged follicle
with a developing egg inside
ready to be ejected from the
ovary Graafian
follicles

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OVARIES Primary follicle growing follicles

• Ovulation – process in which

a mature egg is released from
the ovary. After it's released,
the egg moves down the
fallopian tube.
• Ovulation generally occurs
every 28 days but it can occur
more or less in some women Graafian
follicles
• After ovulation, the ruptured
follicle is transformed into a
very yellow-body structure Corpus luteum ovulation
Ruptured
called a corpus luteum follicle Secondary oocyte

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POLYCYSTIC
OVARIAN
SYNDROME (PCOS)
• PCOS is a condition in which the
ovaries produce an abnormal
amount of androgens
(testosterone), that are supposedly
less in women and the presence of
cysts in the ovaries
• Possible causes: genes, obesity,
insulin resistance, inflammation
• Complications: Irregular periods,
Excess hair growth (hirsutism),
Acne, Hair loss, Weight gain,
Darkening of skin, Headaches

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DUCT SYSTEM

• Uterine or Fallopian Tubes

• Uterus
• Vagina

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UTERINE/FALLOPIAN
TUBES

• Initial part of the duct system

that receives the ovulated
oocyte from the ovaries
• They provide a site for
fertilization of the egg and
sperm and sends the
fertilized egg to the uterus for
implantation

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UTERINE/FALLOPIAN
TUBES
• Infundibulum – funnel-shaped distal
expansion of each fallopian tube
• Fimbriae – finger-like projections that
partially surround the ovary and create
fluid currents during ovulation to carry
the oocyte into the fallopian tube
• The oocyte is carried toward the uterus
by a combination of peristalsis and the
rhythmic beating of cilia

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Fundus

UTERUS

• Also known as the “womb” is a hollow organ

located in the pelvis between the urinary bladder
and rectum
Body
• It functions to receive, retain, and nourish a
fertilized egg
• During pregnancy, the uterus increases
tremendously in size to accommodate the
growing fetus
Cervix • Body – major portion of the uterus
• Fundus – rounded region above the entrance
of fallopian tubes
• Cervix – narrow outlet protruding into the
vagina
Vagina

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UTERUS
• The uterus has a thick wall composed of
three (3) layers:
1. Endometrium – innermost layer;
site for implantation of fertilized
egg
• The endometrial lining sloughs
off periodically (every 28 days)
in response to changes in the
levels of hormones
(Menstruation)
2. Myometrium – bulky middle layer
composed of bundles of smooth
muscle
• It contracts rhythmically during
childbirth to force the baby out
of the mother’s body
3. Perimetrium – outermost serous
layer

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VAGINA
• Thin-walled tube between the bladder and rectum and
from the cervix to the body exterior
• It is often called the “birth canal” since it provides a
passageway for the delivery of an infant and for menstrual
flow to leave the body
• It is also the female organ of copulation because it receives
the penis (and semen) during sexual intercourse

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VAGINA
• The distal end of the vagina is
partially closed by a thin fold
of the mucosa called the
hymen
• The hymen is very
vascular and tends to
bleed when it is ruptured
during the first sexual
intercourse

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EXTERNAL
GENITALIA
• The whole female external
genitalia is known as the
“vulva”
• Mons pubis – fatty,
rounded area above the
pubic symphysis
• Labia majora and labia
minora – skin folds
enclosing regions of the
vulva
• Clitoris – small protruding
structure that corresponds
to the male penis;
contains erectile tissue

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CERVICAL
CANCER
• A relatively common cancer
among women between the
ages of 30 and 50.
• Risk factors: sexually
transmitted diseases such as
human papillomavirus (HPV),
frequent cervical inflammation,
multiple pregnancies, and
many sexual partners
• Complications: Blood spotting,
heavy menstrual bleeding, pain
and bleeding during and after
sexual intercourse, persistent
pelvic and back pain

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FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE
FUNCTIONS
• Oogenesis and Ovarian Cycles
• Hormone Production by Ovaries
• Uterine (Menstrual) Cycle
• Pregnancy and Embryonic Development

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OOGENESIS
• Production of female gametes or ova occurs in
a process called oogenesis
• Oogonia – female stem cells that only exist
before birth (fetus)
• By birth, the oogonia no longer exist, and
a female’s life- time supply of primary
oocytes (approximately 1 million of
them) is already in place in the ovarian
follicles, awaiting the chance to undergo
meiosis to produce functional eggs
• Primary Oocyte – daughter cells preparing for
maturation
• During puberty, FSH stimulates primary follicles
to grow and mature and then ovulation occur
each month (ovarian cycle)

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OOGENESIS
• Secondary Oocyte – immature
ovum
• The secondary oocyte only completes
meiosis II if it is fertilized by a sperm
cell.
• The completion of meiosis II forms an
oocyte and a second polar body.

• Polar bodies – cell that separates from

an oocyte during meiosis and that contains
a nucleus produced in the first or second
meiotic division and very little cytoplasm

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FERTILIZATION
• Fertilization occurs at the moment the genetic material of a
sperm combines with that of an ovum to form a fertilized
egg, or zygote.
• Once a single sperm has penetrated the oocyte, the oocyte
nucleus completes the second meiotic division, forming the
ovum and a polar body.
• The zygote represents the first cell of the new individual
ready for development into embryo then fetus.

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FERTILIZATION

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HORMONE PRODUCTION BY THE OVARIES

• The follicle cells of the growing and mature follicles produce
estrogens, which stimulate the female secondary sex characteristics
• Secondary Sex Characteristics: development of breasts appearance
axillary and pubic hair, increased deposits of fat (hips and breasts),
widening of pelvis, menstrual cycle
• Progesterone – prepares the tissue lining of the uterus to allow the
fertilized egg to implant and helps to maintain the endometrium
throughout pregnancy; menstrual cycle

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PREGNANCY AND EMBRYONIC

DEVELOPMENT
• Pregnancy – events that occur from the time of fertilization
(conception) until birth and the pregnant woman’s
developing offspring is called the conceptus
• Development occurs during the gestation period which
extends from the last menstrual period until birth,
approximately 280 days (9mos).

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PREGNANCY AND
EMBRYONIC
DEVELOPMENT
• Embryonic period – from
fertilization to the 8th week; the
conceptus is now called an embryo
• Fetal period – from 9th week
through birth; the embryo is now
called a fetus

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• Marieb, E. and Keller, S., 2018. Essentials of Human

Anatomy & Physiology. 12th ed. Pearson Education
REFERENCES: Limited, pp. 567-583

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Thank you for your time and all

your efforts this semester!
Good Luck on your FINAL
EXAMS! 😊
HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY LECTURE
CHARMAINE MAAÑO, PTRP

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