THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM Flashcards
(145 cards)
1
Q
primary reproductive organs of the male reproductive system
A
testes
2
Q
two functions of the testes
A
exocrine function (sperm production) and endocrine function (testosterone production)
3
Q
ducts or glands that aid in delivery of sperm to the body exterior or to the female reproductive tract
A
accessory reproductive structures
4
Q
size of testes
A
golf ball-sized; 4cm long by 2.5cm wide
5
Q
connective tissue sheath that connects testes to the trunk and encloses blood vessels, nerves, and the ductus deferens
A
spermatic cord
6
Q
fibrous connective tissue capsule that surrounds each testis
A
tunica albuginea
7
Q
extensions of the tunica albuginea
A
septa
8
Q
wedge-shaped; divided by the septa
A
lobules
9
Q
“sperm forming factories”
A
seminiferous tubules
10
Q
emptied into by the seminiferous tubules; located to one side of the testis
A
rete testis
11
Q
first part of the duct system; hugs the posterior surface of the testis and provides a temporary storage site for the immature sperm
A
epididymis
12
Q
lies in the soft connective tissue surrounding the seminiferous tubules
A
interstitial cells
13
Q
produced by interstitial cells
A
androgens
14
Q
most important type of androgen; stimulates adolescent growth spurt, prompts reproductive organs to develop to adult size, underlies sex drive, and causes male secondary sex characteristics to appear
A
testosterone
15
Q
What are the accessory organs forming the male duct system?
A
epididymis, ductus deferens, urethra
16
Q
How long does it take for the sperm to pass through the epididymis?
A
20 days
17
Q
What happens to the sperm as they make their way along the epididymis?
A
complete maturation and develop the ability to swim
18
Q
result of the walls of the epididymis contracting to expel sperm into the ductus deferens
A
ejaculation
19
Q
What is the path of the ductus deferens?
A
- runs upwards from the epididymis via the spermatic cord through the inguinal canal
- arches over the superior aspect of the urinary blafder
- loops medially over the ureter and descends along the posterior bladder wall
- expands as the ampulla and empties into the ejaculatory duct which passes through the prostate to merge with the urethra
20
Q
main function of the ductus deferens
A
propel live sperm from the epididymis and distal part of the ductus deferens into the urethra
21
Q
What happens to the ductus deferens during ejaculation?
A
thick layers of smooth muscle in its walls create peristaltic waves that rapidly squeeze the sperm forward
22
Q
minor operation where surgeon makes a small incision into the scrotum and cuts and ties off the ductus deferens
A
vasectomy
23
Q
extends from the base of the urinary bladder to the tip of the penis; terminal part of the male duct system
A
urethra
24
Q
What are the three regions of the urethra?
A
prostatic urethra, membranous urethra, and spongy (penile urethra)
25
surrounded by the prostate gland
prostatic urethra
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spans the distance from the prostatic urethra to the penis
membranous urethra
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runs within the length of the penis and opens to the body exterior
spongy (penile) urethra
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where the spongy (penile) urethra exits onto the exterior
external urethral orifice
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constricts when ejaculation occurs to prevent urine from entering the urethra and semen from entering the urinary bladder
internal urethral sphincter
30
What are the accessory glands?
paired seminal vesicles, single prostate gland, and paired bulbourethral glands
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produces the bulk of semen
accessory glands
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sperm-containing fluid that is propelled out of the male reproductive tract during ejaculation; milky white, somewhat sticky mixture of sperm and accessory gland secretions
semen
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description of the seminal vesicle
located at the base of the bladder; 6 cm - 7 cm long and produces 60% of the semen
34
What substances are found in seminal fluid?
fructose (sugar), vitamin C, and prostaglandins
35
How is the ejaculatory duct formed?
the seminal vesicle and ductus deferens merge
36
single, donut-shaped gland about the size of a peach
prostate gland
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milky fluid that plays a role in sperm activation
prostate fluid
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How is the prostate gland palpated?
through the anterior rectal wall
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How does the prostate work during ejaculation?
prostate fluid enters the urethra through several small ducts
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increase in size independent of growth
hypertrophy
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affects nearly every older man and strangles th prostate
hypertrophy of the prostate
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bladder infections
cystitis
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effects of hypertrophy
difficulty in urinating and enhances risk in cystitis and kidney damage
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How is hypertrophy of the prostate addressed?
- surgery (traditional method)
- using drugs or microwaves to shrink the prostate
- laser treatments to remove excess prostate tissue
- inserting a scope through the urethra and removing all but the outer part of the prostate
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inflammation of the prostate; single most common reason men consult a urologist
prostatitis
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third most prevalent cancer in men
prostate cancer
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tiny, pea-sized glands inferior to the prostate gland
bulbourethral glands
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thick clear mucus that drains and cleanses the urethra and acts as a lubricant during intercourse; first secretion to pass down the urethra when a man is sexually excited
secretion of the bulbourethral gland
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What is the purpose of the liquid portion of semen?
acts as a transport medium for nutrients and chemicals that protect the spinal cord m and aids their movement
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streamlined cellular "tadpoles" containing little cytoplasm or stored nutrients
mature sperm cells
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provides essentially all of the energy fuel of the sperm cells
fructose
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hormone that enhances sperm motility
relaxin
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How much semen is ejected during ejaculation?
2 ml to 5 ml
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How much sperm is found per milliliter of semen?
50 to 150 million sperm
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inability of the male to conceive a child
male infertility
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one of the first series of tests done when a couple is unable to conceive a child
semen analysis
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What sperm count makes impregnation improbable?
less than 20 million sperm
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What organs are included in the male external genitalia?
scrotum and penis
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divided sac of skin with sparse hairs that hangs outside the abdominal cavity, between the legs and the roof of the penis
scrotum
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Why are the testes dangling out of the body?
viable sperm can only be produced in a temperature 3°C lower than body temperature
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functions to deliver sperm into the female reproductive tract
penis
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The penis consists of...
the shaft and the glans penis
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enlarged tip of the penis
glans penis
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loose skin of the penis that is folded downwards to form a sleeve of skin around the proximal end of the glans penis
prepuce or foreskin
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procedure where foreskin is removed shortly after birth
circumcision
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spongy tissue that fills with blood during sexual excitement
erectile tissue
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causes the penis to enlarge and helps it serve as the male organ of copulation to deliver semen into the female reproductive tract
erection
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other term for sexual intercourse
copulation
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What is the chief role of the male in the reproductive process?
produce sperm and the hormone testosterone
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sperm production which begins during puberty and continues throughout life
spermatogenesis
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primitive stem cells found in the periphery (outer edge) of each tubule that begins the process of spermatogenesis
spermatogonia
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What happens to spermatogonia from birth until puberty?
go through rapid mitotic divisions to build up the stem cell line and produce more stem cells
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secreted in increasing amounts by the anterior pituitary gland during puberty
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
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products of each division of a spermatogonium from puberty onwards
type A daughter cell (stem cell) and type B daughter cell
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daughter cell that remains at the tubule periphery to maintain the stem cell production
type A daughter cell
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daughter cell that gets pushed into the tubule lumen, where it becomes a primary spermatocyte that will undergo meiosis
type B daughter cell
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where type B daughter cell gets pushed into
tubule lumen
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special type of nuclear division that occurs only in the gonads
meiosis
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How does meiosis differ from mitosis?
consists of two successive divisions of the nucleus (meiosis I and II) and results in four daughter cells or gametes
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gametes in spermatogenesis
spermatids
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How many chromosomes are in a spermatid?
23 chromosomes
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last stage of sperm development where excess cytoplasm is sloughed off and what remains is reshaped into the three regions of the sperm
spermiogenesis
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What are the three regions of the fully formed sperm?
the head, midpiece, and tail
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contained in the sperm head
nucleus with compacted DNA
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anterior to the nucleus; produced by the golgi apparatus and is similar to a large lysosome
acrosome
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What happens when an acrosome comes into close contact with an oocyte?
membrane breaks down and releases enzymes that help sperm penetrate the capsule of follicle cells surrounding the egg
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form the long tail; arises from centrioles in the midpiece
filaments
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wrapped tightly around the filaments and provides the ATP needed for the rolling, one-sided movements of the tail that propel sperm along the female reproductive tract
mitochondria
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How does the sperm move?
rolling, one-sided movement of the tail; accomplished as the head of the sperm rotates while the tail beats to one side
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How long does the entire learning process from the formation of a primary spermatocyte to the release of immature sperm in the lumen take?
64 to 72 days
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antibiotics that can suppress sperm formation
penicillin and tetracycline
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can cause production of abnormal sperm
radiation, lead, certain pesticides, marijuana, tobacco, and excessive alcohol
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released by the anterior pituitary gland; stimulates the interstitial cells for testosterone production
lutinizing hormone (LH)
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What are the male secondary sex characteristics?
deepening of the voice as the larynx enlarges, increased hair growth all over the body, particularly in the axillary and public regions and on the face, enlargement of skeletal muscles mass typical of the male physique, and increased heaviness of the skeleton due to bone growth in size and density
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condition where testosterone is not produced in a young man so his secondary sex characteristics never appear and his other reproductive organs remain childlike
sexual infantilism
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inability of interstitial cells to produce testosterone results in a decrease in size and functions of his reproductive organs
castration of the adult male
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occurs because testosterone is necessary for the final stages of sperm production
sterility
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primary female reproductive organ; resemble almonds in their shape but are nearly twice as large
ovaries
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products of the ovaries
exocrine (eggs or ovum) and endocrine (progesterone and estrogens)
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function of the other organs of the female reproductive system
accessory structures to transport, nurture, or serve the needs of reproductive cells and the developing fetus
101
tiny saclike structures in the ovary
ovarian follicles
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found in each follicle; an immature egg
oocyte
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fluid-filled central region developed as the follicle matures and enlargens
antrum
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term for the follicle at the stage where it matures and develops an antrum
vesicular or Graafian follicle
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event where the developing egg is ready to be ejected
ovulation
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ruptured follicle found after ovulation; eventually degenerates
corpus luteum
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How often does ovulation generally occur?
every 28 days; can occur more or less frequently in some women
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anatomical location of the ovaries
flank the uterus laterally; secures to the lateral walls of the pelvis by the suspensory ligaments and are anchored to the uterus medially by the ovarian ligaments; enclosed and held in place by the broad ligament
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secures the ovaries to the lateral walls of the pelvis
suspensory ligaments
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anchors the ovaries to the uterus medially
ovarian ligaments
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fold of peritoneum that encloses the ovaries in between the uterine tubes; suspends the uterus in the pelvis
broad ligament
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What are the organs that are part of the duct system of the female reproductive system?
uterine tubes, uterus, vagina
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form the initial part of the duct system; receives the ovulated oocyte and the usual site where fertilisation occurs
uretine or fallopian tubes
114
anatomical description of the uterine tubes
10 cm long and extends medially from an ovary to empty into the superior region of the uterus; enclosed and supported by the broad ligament
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funnel-shaped distal end of the uterine tubes
infundibulum
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fingerlike projection of the infundibulum that partially surrounds the ovary
fimbriae
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How does the oocyte expelled from the ovary travel through the uterine tubes?
waving fimbriae create fluid currents that carry the oocyte into the uterine tube; oocyte is carried towards the uterus by a combination of peristalsis and the rhythmic beating of cilia from the endothelial lining of the uterine tube
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Where are many potential eggs lost?
peritoneal cavity
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How long does the journey to the uterus take?
3 to 4 days
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How long does a viable oocyte last?
at most 24 hours
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What is the path of the sperm through the female reproductive system?
upwards through the vagina and uterus to reach the uterine tubes; swim against the current of the cilia
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severe inflammation caused by gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted bacteria spreading from the reproductive tract and infecting the peritoneal cavity; can cause scarring and closure of the uterine tubes, which is one of the major causes of female infertility
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
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hollow organ located in the pelvis between the urinary bladder and rectum that functions to receive, retain, and nourish a fertilised egg and aid in childbirth
uterus
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description of the uterus before pregnancy
size and shape of a pear
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description of the uterus during pregnancy
increases trumendously in size and can be felt well above the umbilicus
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anchors uterus anteriorly
round ligament
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anchors uterus posteriorly
uterosacral ligament
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major portion of the uterus
body
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rounded region of the uterus superior to the entrance of the uterine tubes
fundus
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narrow outlet of the uterus that protrudes inferiorly into the vagina
cervix
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three layers of the uterus
endometrium, myometrium, perimetrium
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inner layer or mucosa where the young embryo burrows itself and resides during its development
endometrium
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process where the young embryo burrows itself in the endometrium
implantation
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process where endothelial lining sloughs off every 28 days in response to changes in the level of ovarian hormones in the blood
menstruation, menses, or "period"
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cancer that is relatively common among women between ages 30 and 50
cervical cancer
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risk factors of cervical cancer
sexually transmitted diseases such as human papillomavirus (HPV), frequent cervical inflammation, multiple pregnancies, and many sexual partners
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major cause of cervical cancer
human papillomavirus (HPV)
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most important test for detecting cervical cancer
pap smear
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How can you test for HPV?
pap smear or from a blood sample
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three-dose vaccine that provides protection from the most common types of HPV-induced cancer
Gardasil
141
bulky middle layer of uterus that is composed of interlacing bundles of smooth muscle; contracts rhythmically to force the baby out of the mother's body
myometrium
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outermost serous layer of the uterus wall
perimetrium or visceral peritoneum
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female organ for copulation that receives the penis during intercourse; provides a passageway for the delivery of an infant and for the menstrual flow to leave the body
vagina
144
anatomical description of the vagina
thin-walled tube 8 to 10 cm long; lies between the bladder and rectum and extends from the cervix to the body exterior
145
thin fold of mucosa that closes the distal end of the vagina
hymen
