MALE AND FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS
I.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
.
A.
Anatomy of the reproductive organs
1.
Gross anatomy (Fig. 28.1) These structures can be seen on the
male pelvic models, except for the bulbourethral gland, which is on
the torso models’ male insert.
Urethra
Penis
Glans penis
Prepuce
Seminal vesicle (2)
Ejaculatory duct (2)
Prostate gland
Bulbourethral gland (2)
Vas deferens (also called ductus deferens)
Epididymis
Testis (plural is testes)
Scrotum
2.
Testis and related structures (Fig. 28.3a,b) Use the pelvic model
for the testis, epididymis, and vas deferens, but all other structures
are on the illustration only.
Lobule
Seminiferous tubule
Efferent ductules
Epididymis
Vas deferens (ductus deferens)
Spermatogonia
Sperm cells
Sertoli cells
Leydig cells (Interstitial cell)
60
61
3.
Microanatomy of the spermatozoan (mature sperm cell) (Fig.
28.3c)
Head
Tail
Nucleus
4.
Midpiece
Acrosome
Spermatic cord and related structures (Fig. 28.6) All of these can
be studied on the pelvic models.
Inguinal canal
Spermatic cord
Vas deferens (ductus deferens)
Testicular artery and vein
Cremaster muscle
5.
Penis (Fig. 28.7) Use the pelvis models. For the prepuce
(foreskin), see the largest pelvis model and the torso models’ male
insert.
Prepuce (foreskin) Fig. 28.1; Fig. 28.2 (shown but not
labeled)
Glans penis
Corpus spongiosum
Corpus cavernosum (plural is corpora cavernosa)
Urethra
B.
Descent of the Testes (Fig. 28.4) Study these structures on the
illustration. The testes are formed in the abdomen by 8 weeks of
gestation (prenatal life). They are pulled through the inguinal canal into
the scrotum around eight months of gestation.
Testis
Peritoneum
Epididymis
Vas deferens (ductus deferens)
Gubernaculum (guides testes into scrotum)
Inguinal canal
Process vaginalis (outpocketing of parietal peritoneum)
Scrotum
Tunica vaginalis (remnant of process vaginalis; allows
movement of the testis)
62
II.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
A.
Primary reproductive organs
1.
External reproductive organs (Fig. 28.10; Fig. 28.15. Use the
female pelvic models. Only the largest pelvic model shows a
greater vestibular gland, which is not illustrated in the text.
Mons pubis
Labia minora
Labia majora
Clitoris
Vestibule (space between labia minor)
Urethral orifice
Vagina
Greater vestibular gland (2)
2.
Internal reproductive organs and other pelvic organs Fig. 28.10;
Fig. 28.11) Use the pelvic models.
Uterus
Urinary bladder
Symphysis pubis
Urethra
Vagina
Rectum
Ovary
Fallopian tube (uterine tube)
3.
Uterus and related anatomy (Fig. 28.10; Fig. 28.11) Both the
female pelvic models and the uterus from the torso model are
useful.
Fundus
Body
Cervix
Uterine cavity
Vagina
Fornix (shown but not labeled)
Endometrium
Myometrium
63
Perimetrium
Uterine tube (Fallopian tube)
Fimbriae (singular is fimbria)
Broad ligament
Round ligament
Ovarian ligament
Ovary
4.
Ovary (Fig. 28.12) Use the large ovary model. In one monthly
cycle, a primary follicle enlarges, becomes a secondary follicle and
then a mature follicle, releases an oocyte, and becomes a corpus
luteum, which degenerates into a corpus albicans at the end of the
cycle. In effect, we are looking at the same structure as it enlarges
and changes through one cycle.
Oocyte (ovum; o-o-site)
Primary follicles
Secondary follicles
Mature follicle (Graafian follicle)
Corpus luteum (loo tee um)
Corpus albicans
B.
The female perineum (Fig 28.15, Fib. 16)
The support of the uterus, bladder, and other pelvic organs depends on
the tone of the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles can be seen in
sagittal section on the female pelvic models. Know them by their group
name, the
Pelvic floor muscles
C.
Breast (Fig. 28.17) Study the torso breast models, which illustrate a
lactating (milk-producing) breast.
Lobe
Lobule
Lactiferous sinus
Lactiferous ducts
Nipple
Areola
Areolar glands
Fat
64
Optional notes on the reproductive systems
1.
An inguinal hernia is a rupture in the abdominal wall at the inguinal canal, which
is a relatively weak area. Men are several times more prone to such hernias than
are women because of the difference in anatomy at this point.
2.
The testes originate as retroperitoneal structures inferior to the kidney. They
descend into the scrotum about 8 months of gestation, or occasionally after
birth. The process vaginalis is an outpocketing of parietal peritoneum which
becomes the tunica vaginalis. After birth the tunica vaginalis serves as a double
serous membrane which lubricates the movement of the testes.
3.
Ultrasound measurement of the mature follicle (Graafian follicle) is often used
for diagnosis of female infertility. A mature follicle measures about 20 mm or
slightly more in diameter. Follicles which fail to grow to that size indicate fertility
impairment.
4.
The height of the fundus of the uterus in the abdomen increases as a pregnancy
progresses, reflecting the growth of the fetus. Measured in centimeters from the
symphysis pubis, the height of the fundus in centimeters is traditionally
considered to be about the same as the week of pregnancy, as counted from the
last menstrual period. That is, at 20 weeks of pregnancy, the uterus measures
20 cm from the symphysis pubis.
65
Notes and Sketches