MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
I. Functional categories
A. Primary sex organs: gonads–produce gametes and hormones
Male: testes–produce spermatozoa and androgens (testosterone)
have endocrine and exocrine functions
enclosed in scrotum
B. Secondary sex organs: structures essential for caring for, storage
and transporting spermatozoa.
1. sperm-transporting ducts: epididymis, ductus deferens (vas
deferens), ejaculatory ducts and urethra.
2. accessory glands: seminal vesicles, prostate & bulbourethral glands
3. copulatory organ: penis
C. Secondary sex characteristics: not essential for reproduction, but
are considered sexual attractants–ex. physique
II.
A. Perineum: between symphysis pubis and coccyx
contains external genitalia and anal opening
muscular region of the pelvic outlet
1. urogenital triangle (penis and scrotum)
2. anal triangle
B. Scrotum: support, protect the testes and regulate their position and
temperature
1. scrotal septum: compartmentalize
(perineal raphe)
2. muscles: a) dartos–smooth muscle–subcutaneous
b) cremaster–skeletal muscle (internal oblique) around
spermatic cord and testes
both respond to temperature–Shrinkage!
“cremaster reflex:” (p. 414)
C. Testes:
1. descent: (p. 699)
origin:
2. inguinal canal:
3. “Cryptorchidism:”
4. Tunics:
a) tunica vaginalis–outer thin serous sac from peritoneum
parietal layer
b) tunica albuginea–inner fibrous layer–visceral layer
encapsulates each testis and forms the septa which
divide the testis into lobules.
5. Lobules:
a. seminiferous tubules: “functional unit of the testes”
sustentacular cells =“nurse cells”=Sertoli cells
blood-testis barrier (tight junctions)
spermiogenesis
mature sperm cell: spermatozoa
head–acrosome (tip with enzymes)
23 chromosomes
body-tail–
Functions?!
b. interstitial cells=cells of Leydig
produce male hormones: testosterone is major one
Androgens: anabolic steroids: stimulate muscle growth,
growth of accessory sex organs, larynx, hemoglobin
and bone growth
6. Ducts: rete testis–further maturation
efferent ductules–to epididymis
D. Spermatic Ducts:
1. Epididymis: location–superior, posterior part of testes
coiled tubes–~17 feet
head–body–tail
2. Ductus Deferens (aka: “vas deferens”)–from epididymis to the
ejaculatory duct (18 inches)
ampulla:
pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
smooth muscle: sympathetic stimulation–peristaltic contractions
3. Ejaculatory duct: formed by ampulla of the vas deferens and the duct
of the seminal vesicle. About 1 inch long, inside prostate gland.
Fluid from seminal vesicle and prostate gland and sperm from
vas deferens empty into the prostatic urethra.
Spermatic Cord: from testes to Inguinal canal
contains: ductus deferens, testicular artery and veins (pampiniform
plexus), lymphatics, testicular nerve
surrounded by the cremaster muscle.
4. Urethra: urinary and reproductive functions
a. prostatic urethra–urine from bladder
–sperm & fluid from prostate and ejaculatory ducts
b. membranous urethra–through urogenital diaphragm
contains: external urethral sphincter
c. spongy or penile urethra:
receive secretion from bulbourethral glands
lined by transitional epithelium and mucous glands
smooth muscle (tunica muscularis)
E. Accessory Glands:
1. Seminal vesicles:
location–posterior, inferior surface of urinary bladder
secretes fluid with nutrients (energy) for sperm
alkaline–
~60% of semen
histologically–coiled mucosa–“glandular epithelium”
sympathetic stimulation:
2. Prostate:
location: immediately below urinary bladder
surrounds prostatic urethra: BPH
glandular tissue and smooth muscle
fluid assist sperm motility /also alkaline
~40% of semen
Clinical: BPH & prostate cancer
3. Bulbourethral glands (Cowper’s glands)
location: near beginning of penile urethra
mucous secretion neutralizes urine residue in urethra and lubricates
the tip of the penis
F. Copulatory organ: penis
1. root
a. blub: attached to urogenital diaphragm–bulbospongiosus muscle
b. crus: attached to pubic arch–ishiocavernosus muscle
2. body:
a. (1) corpus spongiosum (erectile tissue) ventral
surrounds the penile (spongy) urethra
b. (2) corpora cavernosa (erectile tissue) dorsal
There is fibrous C.T. between the corpora cavernosa–septum penis.
c. suspensory ligament:–to symphysis pubis
3. glans penis–expanded corpus spongiousm
urethral orifice
corona glandis
frenulum
foreskin=prepuce
Circumcision:
FEMALE REPRODUCTION
I. Functions: (p. 707)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
produce ova
secrete sex hormones
receive spermatozoa during coitus
provide sites for fertilization, implantation and gestation
parturition
nourishment (breast)
II. Functional categories:
A. Primary sex organs: “gonads”
Ovaries: produce gametes (ova) and sex hormones
B. Secondary sex organs: essential for
1. fertilization
2. implantation
3. development
4. parturition
include: external genitalia, vagina, uterine tubes, uterus, mammary
glands
C. Secondary sex characteristics: not essential for reproduction
III. Compare to Male Reproduction:
A. Similarities
1. Homologous–develop from same embryonic structures p. 725
a. testes=ovaries
p. 698
b. glans penis=clitoris
c. scrotum=labia majora
d. spongy urethra= labia minora
e. membranous urethra=vaginal vestibule
f. bulbourethral glands=vestibular glands
2. Gonads produce gametes and sex hormones
3. Latent development of reproductive organs (puberty)
B. Differences
1. gamete production
a. male:
b. female: ova –formed during fetal life
not mature–stopped at prophase I/meiosis I
puberty–1/month
menopause
Clinical:
IV. Ovaries
A. Attachments:
1. broad ligament–supports uterine tubes and uterus (parietal
peritoneum)
2. mesovarian–
3. ovarian ligament–anchored to uterus
4. round ligament–continuation of ovarian lig. through
inguinal canal to labia minora
5. suspensory ligament–attached to pelvic wall
B. Anatomy
1. hilum
2. layers (4)
a. superficial epithelial layer
b. tunica albuginea (collagenous C.T.)
c. cortex
d. medulla
Stroma–
3. blood supply–
C. Ovarian Cycle:
Newborn female has ~2 million oocytes stopped at prophase I of
meiosis I.
At puberty– ~400,000
~ 400 ovulations
Fig. 21.9 p. 714
Corpus luteum
Corpus albicans
V. Secondary sex organs
A. Uterine tubes (aka fallopian tubes, oviducts, salpinx)
1. Gross structures:
fimbriae
infundibulum
ampulla
Clinical: ectopic pregnancy
P.I.D.
2. Histology
mucosa:
muscularis
serous layer
B. Uterus
1. Functions:
2. Structure
1. fundus
2. body
3. cervix:
a. external os (uterine ostium)
b. internal os (isthmus of uterus)
c. cervical canal
4. Uterine wall
a. perimetrium
vesicouterine pouch
rectouterine pouch
b. myometrium
c. endometrium
stratum basale
stratum functionale:
C. Vagina: tubular, fibromuscular orgn
1. Functions:
2. Location:
3. Structures:
vaginal orifice
hymen
fornix
4. Histology
a. mucosa:
b. muscularis
c. fibrous layer
D. External genitalia (Vulva)
1. mons pubis
2. labia majora
pudendal cleft
perineum
(contain sebaceous and sweat glands)
Clinical: episotomy
3. labia minora
prepuce
4. clitoris–glands clitoris, (2) corpora cavernosa
5. vaginal vestibule
6. vestibular glands (Bartholin’s glands)
E. Breast