3-5-2023 Reproductive

System
Health Education – Content Creation
Workship

Diego Carranza, Iván Loyola, Montserrat

Monterrubio and Itziar Solana
5°A
 Index

Female Reproductive System.............................................2

Female Reproductive System Physiology…………………….. 4
Male Reproductive System………………………………………. 7
Male Reproductive System Physiology……………………….. 11

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Female Reproductive System
The ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, vulva, mammary glands,
and breasts are all parts of the female reproductive system. These
organs work together to produce sex hormones, transport gametes,
and produce gametes. The female reproductive system also supports
the growth of kids during pregnancy and infancy and makes it possible
for ova to be fertilized by sperm.

Ovaries
On the left and right sides of the pelvic cavity, lateral to the superior
part of the uterus, are two tiny glands called ovaries that are about the
size and shape of almonds. The female gametes, or ova, which are
also referred to as "eggs," are produced by the ovaries, along with
female sex hormones including progesterone and estrogen. Oocyte
cells, which progressively develop during a woman's early life and
mature after puberty, are used to make ova. Each month, an adult
ovum is released during ovulation. Before reaching the uterus, the
ovum travels from the ovary to the fallopian tube, where it may be
fertilized.

Fallopian Tubes
The fallopian tubes are a pair of muscular tubes that connect the edge
of the ovaries to the left and right superior corners of the uterus. The
infundibulum, the funnel-shaped structure where the fallopian tubes
terminate, is covered in tiny finger-like protrusions known as fimbriae.
To collect released ova and deliver them to the uterus, the fimbriae
sweep across the outside of the ovaries. Each fallopian tube's interior
is lined with cilia, which cooperate with the tube's smooth muscle to
transport the ovum to the uterus.

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Uterus
The uterus is a hollow, musculoskeletal, pear-shaped organ that sits
behind and above the bladder. The uterus, also known as the womb, is
connected to the vagina (via the cervix) on its inferior end and to the
two fallopian tubes on its superior end. It surrounds and supports the
growing fetus during pregnancy. The embryo is supported during its
early growth by the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. During
labour, the uterus' visceral muscles contract to force the fetus down the
birth canal.

Vagina
The cervix of the uterus is joined to the outside of the body by the
elastic, muscular vagina. It is situated behind the bladder and inferior to
the uterus. During sexual activity, the vagina serves as the penis'
container and transports sperm to the uterus and fallopian tubes. It
also functions as the birth canal during childbirth by extending to allow
fetus delivery. During menstruation, the menstrual flow exits the body
through the vagina.

Vulva
The collective term for the external female genitalia found in the body's
pubic region is "vulva." The mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora,
and clitoris are all parts of the vulva, which encircles the outside ends
of the urethral entrance and the vagina. The pubic mound, also known
as the mons pubis, is a raised layer of adipose tissue that lies between
the skin and the pubic bone and cushions the vulva. The labia majora,
or left and right halves, are located on the inferior part of the mons
pubis. Pubic hairs cover the labia majora and mons pubis. The vaginal
and urethral openings are encircled by smaller, hairless folds of skin
termed the labia minora inside the labia majora. The clitoris, a tiny lump
of erectile tissue on the superior end of the labia minora, is filled with
numerous nerve endings for sensing sexual pleasure.
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Breasts and Mammary Glands
The breasts are specific female body parts that have adipose tissue,
milk ducts, and mammary glands. The left and right sides of the
thoracic area of the body are home to the two breasts. Each breast has
a highly coloured nipple in the middle that, when stimulated, secretes
milk. During breastfeeding, the areola, a thickened, heavily pigmented
band of skin that encircles the nipple, shields the underlying tissues.
The mammary glands are a particular variety of sudoriferous glands
that have undergone modifications to produce milk for feeding infants.
15 to 20 clusters of mammary glands in each breast become active
during pregnancy and continue to do so until milk is no longer required.
The milk travels through milk ducts before leaving the body through the
nipple.

Female Reproductive System Physiology

The Reproductive Cycle
The process of creating an ovum and preparing the uterus to receive a
fertilized ovum to start a pregnancy is known as the female
reproductive cycle. The reproductive cycle resets itself through
menstruation if an ovum is generated but not fertilized and deposited in
the uterine wall. The entire reproductive cycle lasts, on average, 28
days, although for some women, it can last as little as 24 days or as
much as 36 days.

Oogenesis and Ovulation

The ovaries generate a mature ovum during a process known as
ovulation under the control of the hormones follicle-stimulating
hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). An oocyte matures and
is discharged as an ovum around day 14 of the reproductive cycle.

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Even while the ovaries start to mature several oocytes every month,
typically only one ovum is discharged per cycle.
Fertilization
The fimbriae capture the egg as soon as the mature ovum exits the
ovary and guide it down the fallopian tube to the uterus. The ovum
travels to the uterus over about a week. If sperm can enter and reach
the ovum, it develops into a fertilized zygote with a complete DNA set.
The zygote develops into an embryo following a two-week phase of
fast cell division known as the germinal period of development. After
that, the embryo will embed itself in the uterine wall and grow there
throughout the pregnancy.

Menstruation
The endometrium expands and develops in preparation for the embryo
as the ovum matures and passes through the fallopian tube. The
arteries of the uterus contract to stop blood flow to the endometrium if
the ovum is not fertilized in time or if it does not successfully implant
into the endometrium. In the endometrium, a lack of blood flow results
in cell death, which eventually leads to tissue loss or menstruation.
This shedding starts on day 28 of a typical menstrual cycle and lasts
until the first few days of the following reproductive cycle.

Pregnancy
The fertilized embryo will deposit itself into the endometrium if the
ovum is fertilized by a sperm cell, and it will start to develop an
amniotic sac, an umbilical cord, and a placenta. Before beginning the
fetal era of development during weeks 9 through 38, the embryo will
spend the first eight weeks developing nearly all of the tissues and
organs present in the adult. The fetus develops larger and more
complicated during the fetal stage until it is prepared to be born.

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Lactation
The process of producing and releasing milk to feed a baby is called
lactation. The hormone prolactin regulates the start of milk production
before birth. Milk is generated as long as there is active breastfeeding
because prolactin is released in response to a newborn sucking on the
nipple. Prolactin and milk production stopped shortly after weaning for
infants. The hormone oxytocin regulates the "milk-letdown reflex,"
which causes the nipples to release milk. Milk is only secreted while a
newborn is actively feeding because oxytocin is also created in
response to infant sucking.

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Male Reproductive System
The penis, spermatic ducts, sex glands, testes, and scrotum are all
components of the male reproductive system. Together, these organs
create the male gamete, sperm, and other semen-related substances.
Moreover, these reproductive organs cooperate to transport semen
from the body to the vagina, where it might fertilize egg cells and result
in a pregnancy.

Scrotum
The testes are located in the scrotum, a sac-like structure consisting of
skin and muscles. It is situated in the pubic region beneath the penis. A
testis is housed in each of the two side-by-side pouches that make up
the scrotum. The scrotum can control the distance between the testes
and the rest of the body thanks to its smooth muscles. The scrotum
relaxes to shift the testes away from the body's heat when they get too
warm to maintain spermatogenesis. When temperatures fall below the
optimum range for spermatogenesis, on the other hand, the scrotum
contracts to bring the testes closer to the body's core heat.

Testes
The male gonads that produce sperm and testosterone are the two
testes, sometimes referred to as testicles. The testes are ellipsoid
glandular structures that measure an inch in diameter and 1.5 to 2
inches in length. The spermatic cord and cremaster muscle connect
each testis to the abdomen, which is located in the individual pouches
on one side of the scrotum. To control the temperature of the testes,
the cremaster muscles contract and relax with the scrotum. The testes'
inside is segmented into little spaces called lobules. A segment of
seminiferous tubule lining up with epithelial cells can be found in each

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lobule. Through the process of spermatogenesis, these epithelial cells
divide and give rise to sperm cells.
Epididymis
The superior and posterior edges of the testes are encircled by the
epididymis, which serves as a sperm storage space. A small mass of
tightly wound, several-foot-long, thin tubules that make up the
epididymis. The testicular sperm matures in the epididymis before
being transferred through the male reproductive organs. The sperm's
release is postponed by the epididymis' length, giving them time to
develop.

Spermatic Cords and Ductus Deferens

The testes and abdominal cavity are connected within the scrotum by a
pair of spermatic cords. The ductus deferens, as well as the nerves,
veins, arteries, and lymphatic vessels that support the function of the
testes, are all located within the spermatic cords.
A muscular tube called the ductus deferens, also referred to as the vas
deferens, transports sperm superiorly from the epididymis into the
abdominal cavity and then to the ejaculatory duct. The ductus deferens
uses its internal space to store mature sperm and has a diameter that
is larger than the epididymis. Sperm are moved towards the ejaculatory
duct through peristalsis by the smooth muscles of the ductus deferens
walls.

Seminal Vesicles
The lumpy exocrine glands known as seminal vesicles store and
produce some of the liquid component of semen. The seminal vesicles
are roughly 2 inches long and are situated anterior to the rectum and
posterior to the urine bladder. Proteins and mucus are present in the
seminal vesicle fluid, which has an alkaline pH to aid sperm survival in
the vagina's acidic environment. In order for the sperm cells to survive

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long enough to fertilize the egg, the liquid also contains fructose to feed
them.

Ejaculatory Duct
The ejaculatory duct is the structure where the ductus deferens
connects to the urethra after passing through the prostate. The seminal
vesicle ducts are also present in the ejaculatory duct. The ejaculatory
duct opens during ejaculation and releases sperm and seminal vesicle
secretions into the urethra.

Urethra
The urethra, a muscular tube about 8 to 10 inches in length, transports
semen from the ejaculatory duct to the outside of the body. The
external urethral opening is found at the tip of the penis and is where
the urethra exits the body after passing past the prostate. The urethra
is the passageway through which urine leaves the body from the
urinary bladder.

Prostate
The urethra and the inferior end of the urinary bladder are surrounded
by the prostate, an exocrine gland the size of a walnut. A significant
amount of the fluid that makes up semen is produced by the prostate.
Enzymes, proteins, and other substances are present in this milky-
white fluid, which supports and shields sperm during ejaculation.
Moreover, the prostate has smooth muscular tissue that can contract to
stop the passage of urine or sperm.
Sadly, the prostate has a higher-than-average risk of developing
cancer. Fortunately, DNA health testing can determine whether your
BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes put you at a higher genetic risk of
developing prostate cancer.

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Cowper´s Glands
The Cowper's glands, also referred to as the bulbourethral glands, are
a pair of exocrine glands the size of peas that are situated anterior to
the anus and inferior to the prostate. After urinating, the Cowper's
glands release a thin, alkaline fluid into the urethra to lubricate it and
neutralize any acidic pee residue. Before to ejaculation and during
sexual stimulation, this fluid enters the urethra to prime it for the flow of
semen.

Penis
The male penis is the external genital organ that is situated under the
umbilicus and above the scrotum in males. The urethra and the
external entrance of the urethra are located within the penis, which has
a roughly cylindrical form. The penis has large blood-filled pockets of
erectile tissue that allow it to become erect. The penis grows larger and
becomes more turgid during erection. During sexual activity, the penis
is responsible for releasing semen into the vagina. The penis performs
both reproductive and excretory functions, enabling urine to be
expelled from the body through the urethra.
A significant portion of men experience erectile dysfunction at some
point in their lives; this is a prevalent reproductive problem. For
example, 20% of men in their 20s report having some form of erectile
dysfunction. By their 30s, 30% of men and 50% of men in their 50s
report having ED symptoms (and so on). Due to its widespread
prevalence, the medical profession has responded by developing
increasingly practical methods of treating ED. For further details, see
our Hims ED evaluation.

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Semen
Males generate semen, which is ejaculated out of the body during
sexual activity, for the purpose of sexual reproduction. The male
reproductive gametes, sperm, are present in semen along with a
number of other substances floating in a liquid medium. Semen has a
thick, sticky consistency and a pH that is somewhat alkaline due to its
chemical makeup. By enabling sperm to stay in the vagina after sexual
activity and by balancing the acidic environment of the vagina, these
characteristics assist semen in supporting reproduction. Each milliliter
of semen in healthy adult males contains about 100 million sperm cells.
Inside the female fallopian tubes, these sperm cells fertilize the eggs.

Physiology of the Male Reproductive System

Spermatogenesis
In the testes and epididymis of adult males, spermatogenesis, the
process of generating sperm, occurs. Due to a lack of hormonal
triggers, there is no spermatogenesis before puberty. When luteinizing
hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are released
during puberty, spermatogenesis starts. Although FSH stimulates the
maturation of germ cells, LH stimulates the synthesis of testosterone
by the testes. The spermatogonium, a type of stem cell found in the
testes, is stimulated by testosterone to begin the process of growing
into spermatocytes. During meiosis I, each diploid spermatocyte
divides into two haploid secondary spermatocytes. Four haploid
spermatid cells are produced by the secondary spermatocytes after
they undergo meiosis II. The spermatid cells next undergo a process
known as spermiogenesis in which they build the sperm head's
features and grow a flagellum. The cell eventually becomes a sperm
cell, or spermatozoa, following spermiogenesis. The epididymis is
where the spermatozoa mature and get the ability to travel
independently before being discharged.

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Fertilization
A sperm and an oocyte, or egg cell, join during fertilization to create a
fertilized zygote. In order to reach the fallopian tubes, where they may
encounter an oocyte, the sperm discharged during ejaculation must
first pass via the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes. The outer corona
radiata and zona pellucida layers of the oocyte must first be penetrated
by sperm before they can reach the oocyte. Sperm can pierce these
layers because they have enzymes in the acrosome region of the
head. The nuclei of these haploid cells join to create a diploid cell
known as a zygote after entering the oocyte. To create an embryo, cell
division starts in the zygote cell.

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