reproductive system

Question 1

describe the general functions of the male reproductive system

Answer 1

Sperm production through spermatogenesis, testosterone production and release, and sperm delivery to the female reproductive system

Question 2

describe the general functions of the female reproductive system

Answer 2

Production of oocytes through oogenesis, production and release of estrogen and progesterone, and providing an environment for fertilization (in fallopian tubes) and for the growth and development of a zygote into a fetus (in the uterus).

Question 3

cell types of the testes and their functions

Answer 3

spermatogonia:
- stem cells that produce sperm
interstitial cells:
- produce testosterone and exist between seminiferous tubules
sustentacular cells (nurse cells):
- support developing sperm

Question 4

what happens in the seminiferous tubules?

Answer 4

spermatogenesis: spermatogonium undergo mitosis, one resulting daughter cell goes on to meiosis to form sperm, one continues to undergo mitosis to produce more spermatogonia

Question 5

what are the tubes in the testis and their function?

Answer 5

seminiferous tubules: site of spermatogenesis, located in the lobules
rete testis: network of tubules, transport immature sperm from seminiferous tubules to efferent ducts
efferent ducts: transport immature sperm from rete testis to epididymis

Question 6

different stages of sperm cells?

Answer 6

1. spermatogonia: undifferentiated sperm cells
2. spermatocytes: cells undergoing meiosis
3. spermatids: haploid cells formed from meiosis
4. spermatozoa: fully developed sperm cell

Question 7

what is the location, structure, and function of the epididymis?

Answer 7

location: curves over the top and down the posterior side of each testis
structure: series of tubules made up of a head, body, and tail.
functions:
- sperm maturation site: sperm cells gain motility and ability to fertilize while passing through the epididymis
- sperm storage until ejaculation
- transportation of sperm from testes to vas deferens during ejaculation

Question 8

structure, function and location of the vas deferens

Answer 8

structure: smooth muscle. contracts to help propel sperm.
function: transports mature sperm from epididymis to ejaculatory duct during ejaculation
location: runs from epididymis, through inguinal canal, around bladder, then to ejaculatory duct

Question 9

structure function and location of ejaculatory duct

Answer 9

structure: short tube, formed by union of vas deferens and seminal vesicle duct
function: transports mature sperm and seminal fluid from vas deferens to the urethra for ejaculation
location: within prostate gland

Question 10

structure and function of the three regions of the urethra (male)?

Answer 10

1. prostatic urethra
   - structure: widest part. lined with transitional epithelium
   - function: allows passage of urine and semen
   - location: passes through prostate gland
2. membranous urethra
   - structure: shortest portion, lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium
   - function: transports urine and semen
   - location: between prostatic and spongy urethra
3. spongy urethra
   - structure: longest portion, lined with stratified columnar epithelium
   - function: transport urine and semen outside the body
   - location: in penile shaft

Question 11

location and function of seminal vesicles

Answer 11

location: posterior to the bladder and superior to the prostate.
function: Produces ~60% of seminal fluid. fluid is slightly alkaline, helps to neutralize the acidity of the female reproductive system –> increases chance of sperm survival and fertilization. also contains important components like fructose, prostaglandins, fibrinogen, etc.

Question 12

what are the functions of the three components of seminal fluid discussed in class

Answer 12

fructose: sperm mitochondria use as energy source to power movement, increasing chances of fertilization
fibrinogen: clots semen for 15-20 mins in female system, which increases chances of fertilization
prostaglandins: facilitates minor contractions of female system to help move sperm to cervix.

Question 13

location and function of prostate gland?

Answer 13

location: inferior to bladder, anterior to rectum
function: produces ~30% of seminal fluid. includes components like seminalplasmin which helps to break down clots formed by fibrinogen.

Question 14

location and function of bulbourethral glands

Answer 14

location: inferior to prostate gland, posterior+lateral to membranous urethra, anterior to rectum.
function: produces ~5% of seminal fluid, the pre-ejaculate, which is made up of thick alkaline mucus that eliminates urinary acid still present in urethra and provides lubrication for penis.

Question 15

function of the penis?

Answer 15

transports urine outside the body and semen to vagina of female reproductive system during intercourse

Question 16

structure function and location of corpora cavernosa?

Answer 16

structure: paired columns of spongy tissue each containing an artery and spaces that fill with blood
function: allow penis to become erect by filling with blood during arousal
location: on the dorsal side of the penis

Question 17

structure function and location of corpus spongiosum

Answer 17

structure: single column of spongy tissue that surrounds the penile urethra. less dense than corpora cavernosa.
function: fills with blood during erection but not to the same degree as corpora cavernosa. primary function is to keep urethra open during erection for the passage of semen.
location: ventral side of penis

Question 18

structure, function, and location of ovaries? what are the names of the stabilizing ligaments

Answer 18

structure: almond-shaped and comprised of an outer cortex and inner medulla
function: production of oocytes, production and release of female hormones (progesterone and estrogen)
location: lateral to uterus, one on either side
held in place by ovarian ligament and broad ligament

Question 19

what is the final shape of an oocyte?

Answer 19

corpus luteum

Question 20

where does the development of an egg occur

Answer 20

in the ovaries

Question 21

how many eggs do females start out with? how many remain at puberty?

Answer 21

start out with around 2 million and about 400,000 remain at puberty

Question 22

what is a follicle?

Answer 22

an oocyte plus accessory cells

Question 23

structure location and function of the uterine tube

Answer 23

structure: pair of narrow tubes. made up of several sections: infundibulum, ampulla, isthumus.
location: in pelvic cavity. extend from uterus to ovaries
function: egg transport and fertilization site

Question 24

where are the portions of the uterine tube?

Answer 24

infundibulum: funnel shaped opening near ovary. has fimbriae.
ampulla: widest part where fertilization typically occurs
isthmus: narrow section that connects to the uterus

Question 25

structure function and location of uterus?

Answer 25

structure: made up of three layers - perimetrium: outer layer - myometrium: thick, smooth muscle middle layer - endometrium: inner layer with glandular mucosa, function layer, and basal layer function: site of growth and development for embryo/fetus location: pelvic cavity. between bladder and rectum.

Question 26

structure function and location of vagina

Answer 26

structure: walls have rugae to allow for expanding and contracting during childbirth and intercourse. has mucosa and an elastic muscularis layer. function: several functions... - passage for exiting menstral fluids - receives penis during sexual intercourse - forms inferior portion of the birth canal location: inferior to cervix, superior to vestibule and posterior to urethra, anterior to rectum

Question 27

what are some changes that occur in a female's anatomy during pregnancy?

Answer 27

- uterus increases in size due to hypertrophy - placenta develops - mammary glands increase in size, begin secretory activity - blood volume increases, increasing cardiac output and putting pregnant females at higher risk for heart conditions.

Question 28

what are the two main bypasses of fetal circulation? what do they bypass?

Answer 28

1. foramen ovale - bypasses pulmonary circulation by transporting oxygen rich blood from the right atrium straight to the left atrium 2. ductus arteriosis - bypasses pulmonary circulation by sending oxygen poor blood from the pulmonary trunk straight to the aorta

Question 29

what changes occur to the fetal circulation pathway after birth?

Answer 29

after newborn takes its first breath: - lungs expand, decompressing pulmonary vessels - ductus arteriosis constricts, separating pulmonary trunk and aorta - "flap" closes over foramen ovale, preventing blood flow from right to left atrium (becomes fossa ovalis) - umbilical vein eventually becomes the round ligament of the liver.

Question 30

pathway of fetal circulation?

Answer 30

- oxygenated blood from placenta travels through umbilical vein and into inferior vena cava via ductus venosus - oxygen poor blood from lower body and oxygen rich blood from placenta enters right atrium by IVC. oxygen poor blood from upper body enters right atrium by SVC - most oxygenated blood bypasses pulmonary circulation and goes straight into left atrium via foramen ovale. then from left atrium it goes to left ventricle, then to aorta. a portion of the blood immediately flows into the branches of the aorta (left subclavian and common carotid and brachiocephalic) to oxygenate the brain and some upper extremities. - most oxygen poor blood flows from right atrium into right ventricle, then to pulmonary trunk. it also bypasses non-functional pulmonary circulation and goes to aorta via ductus arteriosis. - mix of oxygen rich and poor blood enters systemic circulation from aorta. - oxygen poor blood goes to lower limbs, then to umbilical arteries (which branch off of the internal iliac arteries). - umbilical arteries transport oxygen poor blood to placenta for oxygenation.