HUMAN ANATOMY PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM (LECTURE)
FINALS REVIEWER
Male Reproductive System Anatomy and
Physiology
In cooperation with the women, men were also
given the task of supplying generations upon
generations of brethren for mankind’s race. They
are also equipped with miracle-inducing parts that
enable them to propagate with the woman and
bring forth life into the world.
Internal Structures
Epididymis
 This is a tightly coiled tube that is responsible
for conducting the sperm from the tubule to
the vas deferens.
 It has a length of approximately 20 feet long.
 Some sperm are stored in the epididymis,
along with the semen.
 The sperm takes an estimated 12 to 20 days
of travel along the epididymis, and a total of
64 days to reach maturity.
Vas Deferens
 The function of the vas deferens is to carry
the sperm through the inguinal canal from the
epididymis into the abdominal cavity where it
will end at the seminal vesicles and the
ejaculatory duct.
 It is a hollow tube that is protected by a thick
fibrous coating and surrounded by arteries
and veins.
Seminal Vesicles
 These are two convoluted pouches along the
lower portion of the posterior surface of
the bladder.
 The seminal vesicles secrete a liquid that is
viscous and alkaline and has high protein,
sugar, and prostaglandin content, which
makes the sperm increasingly motile.
Ejaculatory Ducts
 These ducts pass through the prostate gland
to join the seminal vesicles and the urethra.
Prostate Gland
 This is a chestnut-sized gland that is situated
below the bladder.
 It secretes a thin, alkaline fluid that adds
protection to the sperm from being
immobilized by the low pH level of the urethra.
 The urethra passes through its center like a
doughnut.
Bulbourethral Glands
 Also called as Cowper’s gland, these glands
also secrete alkaline fluid to counteract the
acidic environment in the urethra.
 These are two glands located at either side of
the prostate gland and seminal vesicles and
empty through the short ducts towards the
urethra.
 Semen is a product of 60% from the prostate
gland, 30% from the seminal vesicles, 5%
from the epididymis, and 5% from the
bulbourethral glands.
Urethra
 This structure passes through the prostate
gland towards the shaft and glans penis.
 It is a hollow tube from the base of the bladder
and lined with mucous membrane.
 It has a length of approximately 8 inches or 18
to 20 cm.
External Structures
Scrotum
 The scrotum is responsible for the support of
the testes and it regulates the temperature of
the sperm.
 It is a rugated, muscular, skin-covered pouch
over the perineum.
 To promote the production and viability of the
sperm, the scrotum contracts towards the
body during a very cold weather and relaxes
away from the body during a hot weather.
Testes
 In each scrotum lies two oval-shaped glands
called the testes.
 These are 2 to 3 cm in width and are
encapsulated in a protective, white fibrous
capsule.
 Several lobules are contained in each testis,
which also contains Leydig’s cells that
HUMAN ANATOMY PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM (LECTURE)
FINALS REVIEWER
produce testosterone and seminiferous
tubules that produce spermatozoa.
 In most men, one testis is slightly lower than
the other to prevent trauma and easily sit or
do any muscular activity.
Penis
 The penis has three parts: two are called the
corpus cavernosa, and the other is the corpus
spongiosum.
 These erectile tissues also contain the
urethra, making the penis an outlet for both
urinary and reproductive functions.
 Erection of the penis is stimulated by the
parasympathetic nerve innervations, and
the blood supply for the penis is from the
penile artery.
 The glans, a sensitive, bulging ridge of tissue,
is located at the distal part of the penis.
 The prepuce, which is a retractable casing of
skin, protects the glans at birth. It is also the
part that is surgically removed during
circumcision.
Female Reproductive System Anatomy and
Physiology
Women have the responsibility of bringing forth
life into the world, hence the creation and the
function of the female reproductive system. This
system performs a miracle from the conception of
life until the birth of the growing life within, and it
is only proper to be introduced to the main
characters and supporting roles of this play.
Internal Structures
Ovaries
 The ovaries are the ultimate life-maker for the
females.
 For its physical structure, it has an estimated
length of 4 cm and width of 2 cm and is 1.5
cm thick. It appears to be shaped like an
almond. It looks pitted, like a raisin, but is
grayish white in color.
 It is located proximal to both sides of the
uterus at the lower abdomen.
 For its function, the ovaries produce, mature,
and discharge the egg cells or ova.
 Ovarian function is for the maturation and
maintenance of the secondary sex
characteristics in females.
 It also has three divisions: the protective layer
of epithelium, the cortex, and the central
medulla.
Fallopian Tubes
 The fallopian tubes serve as the pathway of
the egg cells towards the uterus.
 It is a smooth, hollow tunnel that is divided
into four parts: the interstitial, which is 1 cm in
length; the isthmus, which is2 cm in length;
the ampulla, which is 5 cm in length; and the
infundibular, which is 2 cm long and shaped
like a funnel.
 The funnel has small hairs called the fimbria
that propel the ovum into the fallopian tube.
 The fallopian tube is lined with mucous
membrane, and underneath is the connective
tissue and the muscle layer.
 The muscle layer is responsible for the
peristaltic movements that propel the ovum
forward.
 The distal ends of the fallopian tubes are
open, making a pathway for conception to
occur.
Uterus
 The uterus is described as a hollow, muscular,
pear-shaped organ.
 It is located at the lower pelvis, which is
posterior to the bladder and anterior to the
rectum.
 The uterus has an estimated length of 5 to 7
cm and width of 5 cm. it is 2.5 cm deep in its
widest part.
 For non-pregnant women, it is approximately
60g in weight.
 Its function is to receive the ovum from the
fallopian tube and provide a place for
implantation and nourishment.
 It also gives protection for the growing fetus.
 It is divided into three: the body, the isthmus,
and the cervix. f
 The body forms the bulk of the uterus, being
the uppermost part. This is also the part that
expands to accommodate the growing fetus.
 The isthmus is just a short connection
between the body and the cervix. This is the
portion that is cut during a cesarean section.
 The cervix lies halfway above the vagina, and
the other half extends into the vagina. It has
an internal and external cervical os, which is
the opening into the cervical canal.
External Structures
Mons Veneris
 The mons veneris is a pad of fat tissues over
the symphysis pubis.
 It has a covering of coarse, curly hairs, the
pubic hair.
HUMAN ANATOMY PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM (LECTURE)
FINALS REVIEWER

 It protects the pubic bone from trauma. Perineal Body

Labia Minora  This is a muscular area that stretches easily
 The labia minora is a spread of two during childbirth.
connective tissue folds that are pinkish in  Most pregnancy exercises such as Kegel’s
color. and squatting are done to strengthen the
 The internal surface is composed of mucous perineal body to allow easier expansion
membrane and the external surface is skin. during childbirth and avoid tearing the tissue.
 It contains sebaceous glands all over the Hymen
area.  This covers the opening of the vagina.
 It is tough, elastic, semicircle tissue torn
Labia Majora during the first sexual intercourse.
 Lateral to the labia minora are two folds of fat
tissue covered by loose connective tissue and
epithelium, the labia majora.
 Its function is to protect the external genitalia
and the distal urethra and vagina from trauma.
 It is covered in pubic hair that serves as
additional protection against harmful bacteria
that may enter the structure.

Vestibule
 It is a smooth, flattened surface inside the
labia wherein the openings to the urethra and
the vagina arise.

Clitoris
 The clitoris is a small, circular organ of erectile
tissue at the front of the labia minora.
 The prepuce, a fold of skin, serves as its
covering.
 This is the center for sexual arousal and
pleasure for females because it is highly
sensitive to touch and temperature.

Skene’s Glands
 Also called as paraurethral glands, they are
found lateral to the urethral meatus and have
ducts that open into the urethra.
 The secretions from this gland lubricate the
external genitalia during coitus.

Bartholin’s Gland
 Also called bulbovaginal gland, this is another
gland responsible for the lubrication of the
external genitalia during coitus.
 It has ducts that open into the distal vagina.
 Both of these glands secretions are alkaline to
help the sperm survive in the vagina.

Fourchette
 This is a ridge of tissue which is formed by the
posterior joining of the labia minora and
majora.
 During episiotomy, this is the tissue that is cut
to enlarge the vaginal opening.