Reproductive system

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Male reproductive system consists of testis, epididymis, ductus deferens or vasdeferens,

ejaculatory ducts and penis. Accessory glandular structures include seminal vesicles, prostate
and bulbourethral glands.

Testis and epididymis

TESTIS

It is a male gonad. The function of testis include production of spermatozoa and secretion of
testosterone.
Shape : Oval
Location : Testis is suspended in the scrotum by spermatic cord.
External features
The testis consists of
Two poles : Upper and lower
Two borders : Anterior and posterior
Two surfaces : Medial and lateral
Upper pole : Convex and attached to spermatic cord.
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 Lower pole : Convex and smooth.
Anterior border : Rounded and covered by tunica vaginalis.
Posterior border : Straight , partly covered by tunica vaginalis and it is attached by epididymis.
Medial and lateral surfaces : Are smooth and convex

Coverings
It is covered by three coats or layers
1. Tunica vaginalis : It is superficial layer. It is serous sac, and it presents parietal and visceral
layers with a potential cavity between them. It covers the whole testis, except for its posterior
border.
2. Tunica albuginea : It is the middle layer. It is a thick dense layer of fibrous tissue enclosing the
testis. It is covered by the visceral layer of tunica vaginalis, except posteriorly. Posteriorly this
layer is thickened to form incomplete vertical septum called mediastinum testis.
3. Tunica vasculosa : It is the innermost vascular layer of the testis, lining the lobules of the testis.
Structure
Testis enclosed in a fibrous capsule, the tunica albuginea. Posteriorly it is thickened to form
incomplete vertical septum called mediastinumtestis. Numerous septa extend from the
mediastinum and divide the interior of testis into 200 – 300 lobules. Each lobule contain 2 to 4
coiled seminiferous tubules, that produces spermatozoa. The thin thread like loops of
seminiferous tubules joins each orther to form straight tubules. Network of these tubules called
rete testis. The small efferent ductules connect the tubules of rete-testis. The small efferent
ductules connect the tubules of rete testis to the upper end of epididymis.

Arterial supply : testicular artery

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Venous drainage : pampiniform plexus of veins. Right side drains in to inferior venacava and
left side drains in to left renal vein.
Nerve supply : T10 spinal segment
Microscopic structure
Connective tissue covering – tunica albuginea. Seminiferous tubules lined by different stages of
spermatogenesis and Sertoli cells. Sertoli cells – tall columnar, pale stained with prominent
nucleolus. These cells reach the lumen. Function – support and nutrition, phagocytosis and
secretion of hormones. Spermatogonia – germ cells, lie near the basal membrane, undergo
mitosis to form primary spermatocytes. Primary spermatocytes – large cells. Each undergoes
meiosis to form two secondary spermatocytes. Secondary spermatocytes – smaller, each
undergoes meiosis to form two spermatids. Spermatids – rounded cell embedded in apical part
of Sertolic cells. Undergoes morphological changes to form spermatozoa by the process of
spermiogenesis. Spaces between the seminiferous tubules contain loose connective tissue with
blood vessels. Also contains interstitial cells of Leydig – rounded large cells, secrete
testosterone – male sex hormones.

Applied anatomy :
Hydrocele : It is the accumulation of the fluid within the tunica vaginalis.
Varicocele : It is produced by dilatation of the pampiniform plexus of veins.

EPIDIDYMIS
It is a mass made up highly coiled tubes. That act as reservoir of spermatozoa.
Shape : Comma shape
Location : Superior and posterolateral surface of testis
Parts : It is divided into three parts . Head, body and tail
Head : It is enlarged and made up of highly coiled efferent ductules. It is connected to the upper
pole of testis by efferent ductules.
Body : It is the middle part. It is made up of single duct.
Tail : The lower part is called tail. It is made up of single duct and becomes continuous with
ductus deferens.

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 Arterial supply : Testicular artery and artery to the vasdeferens
Venous drainage : Pampiniform Plexus of vein
Nerve supply : T11 to L1 spinal segments.
Microscopic structure
Highly coiled muscular tubule. Coils of tubule held by fibrous connective tissue. Each tubule is
lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium with sterocilia. Each tubule covered by smooth
muscles. Sterocilia are large microvilli for absorption of fluids.

DUCTUS DEFERENS OR VASDEFERENS

It is a thick walled muscular tube, which transmits spermatozoa from the epididymis to the
ejaculatory duct .
Length : 45cm
Location : Scrotum, inguinal canal, greater and lesser pelvis.
Course and relations
 It is a continuation of the tail of the epididymis.
 Along the posterior border of testis, medial to the epididymis.
 In the spermatic cord – it lies in the posterior part of the spermatic cord. It runs upward to the
superficial inguinal ring and then transverse the inguinal canal.
 In the greater pelvis : At the deep inguinal ring it leaves the spermatic cord, and hook round the
inferior epigastric artery and enters the lesser pelvis.

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 In the lesser pelvis : It crosses the obliterated umbilical artery, obturator nerve and vessels. It
then crosses the ureter. Reaching the base of urinary bladder it lies medial to seminal vessicle.
At the base of the prostate, it is joined by the duct of the seminal vesicle to form ejaculatory
duct. The part of the ducts lying behind the base of the bladder, is dilated and tortuous as the
ampulla

Arterial supply : artery to vasdeferens, superior and inferior vesical arteries and middle rectal
artery
Venous drainage : veins from the ducts join the vesical venous plexus which opens into the
internal iliac vein.
Nerve supply : pelvic splanchnic nerve
Microscopic structure
Thick walled muscular tube
1. Mucous membrane shows irregular folds and lined by simple columnar epithelium, become
pseudostratified columnar in distal part of duct. Epithelium supported by lamina propria
contain loose connective tissue & elastc fibers
2. Thick muscle coat present, consist of smooth muscle. Muscle coat arranged in the form of
inner longitudinal, middle circular & outer longitudinal layer.
3. Outer most layer Adventitia, consist of connective tissue.

Applied anatomy
Vasectomy : it is one of the commonest operations being done in india for purposes of family
planning.
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 PROSTATE

It is an accessory gland of male reproductive system. It is a fibromuscular gland.

Shape : pyramidal or inverted cone
Location : in the lesser pelvis, below the neck of urinary bladder.
External features and relations
It consists of apex, base and four surfaces – anterior, posterior and two inferolateral.
Apex : directed downwards and related to urogenital diaphragm
Base : directed upward and it surrounds the neck of urinary bladder.
Anterior surface : is related by pubic symphysis, puboprosthetic ligament and lower end of this
surface is pierced by the urethra.
Posterior surface : is triangular in shape and this surface is seperated from rectum by fascia of
Denonvilliers. Its upper border near the median plane on each side pierced by ejaculatory duct.
Inferolateral surface : is related by levator ani muscle.

Lobes of prostate
It has 5 lobes. Anterior, posterior, median and right and left lateral
Anterior lobe : is small and lies infront of the urethra. It connect the two lateral lobes. It is
devoid of the glandular tissue and often called isthmus.
Posterior lobe : it lies behind the ejaculatory duct and median lobe. It connects the two lateral
lobes. Primary carcinoma of the prostate begins in this lobe.
Median lobe : is wedge shaped, lies behind urethra and infront of ejaculatory duct. It produce
an elevation in the urinarybladder called uvula vesicae. It contain glandular tissue and common
site of adenoma.
Lateral lobe : it lies one on each side of urethra. Lateral lobe contain glandular tissue. So
adenoma arises in the old age.

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Capsule of the prostate
True capsule : It is formed by the condensation of peripheral part of the gland .
False capsule : It lies outside the true capsule and is derived from the pelvic fascia.
Blood supply
Arterial supply : Inferior vesical, middle rectal and internal pudental arteries.
Venous drainage : Vein form a rich plexus and it communicate with vesical plexus and with
internal pudental vein and drains into internal iliac vein .
Nerve supply
Sympathetic : L1 and L2 spinal segments
Parasympathetic : S2 to S4 spinal segments
Microscopic structure
Prostatatic glands (acini/follicles) lined by simple columnar epithelium & epithelium thrown
into numerous folds, lumen contain corpora amylacea.( calcified glycoprotein).
Acini seperated by thick fibro- muscular stroma is made up of collagen fibers & smooth muscles

Applied anatomy
Prostatitis : inflammation of prostate called prostatitis
Prostate is a common site of carcinoma

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Female reproductive system consist of ovaries ,uterine tube, uterus, vagina and accessory
organs include mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibular bulb, greater
vestibular gland, vestibule and mammary gland or breast.

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 OVARIES

Ovaries are female gonads and produce oocytes.

Shape : almond
Location : ovarian fossa on the lateral pelvic wall.
Peritoneal relations : ovary is covered with peritoneum except along the anterior border.
External features and relations
It consist of :
1. Two poles – upper or tubal and lower or uterine
2. Two borders – anterior and posterior
3. Two surfaces – lateral and medial
Upper pole – it is broader and related to uterine tube and external iliac vein and it is attached
to ovarian fimbria and suspensory ligament of the ovary
Lower pole - it is narrow and related to uterus. It is connected into uterus by ligament of the
ovary.
Anterior border : it is straight and is related to the uterine tube and obliterated umbilical
artery. It is attached to the part of broad ligament called mesovarium. This border is called
hilum of ovary.
Posterior border : it is convex and related to the uterine tube and ureter.
Lateral surface : it is related to the ovarian fossa on the lateral pelvic wall.
Medial surface : is covered by uterine tube.

Upper pole

Lower pole

Arterial supply : ovarian and uterine arteries

Venous drainage : pampiniform plexus around the artery drains into inferior venacava and left
renal vein.
Nerve supply : sympathetic – T10 and T11 spinal segments
Parasympathetic – S2 to S4 spinal segments
Microscopic structure
Surface lined by germinal epithelium made of cuboidal cells below which lies the connective
tissue covering called tunica albuginea. Ovary divides into outer cortex and inner medulla.
Cortex contains follicle in different stages of development separated by the stroma. Cortex
contain follicles are Primordial follicle, Primary follicle, Secondary follicle and Graafian
[Link] by cumulus oophoricus. Surrounding stromal cells form theca interna and fibers
form theca externa. Follicular cells and theca interna secrete estrogen. Corpus luteum – after
ovulation the follicular wall becomes collapsed. Follicular cells enlarge, cytoplasm filled with

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 yellow pigment called lutein and secrete progesterone. Stroma contain fusiform mesenchymal
cells, smooth fibers and reticular fibers. Medulla – contains connective tissue contain blood
vessels and smooth muscles.

Applied anatomy
Ovarian cysts : developmental arrest of ovarian follicles may results in the formation of one or
more small ovarian cysts.
Carcinoma of ovary is common called ovarian cancer.

UTERINE TUBE OR FALLOPIAN TUBE

They are tortuous ducts, which convey ova from ovary to the uterus. It is about 10cm long.
Subdivisions
1. Infundibulum : it is the lateral end. It is funnel shaped and about 1cm long. It bears number of
finger like processes called fimbria. One of the fimbriae longer and attached to the ovary called
ovarian fimbriae. It is opens into the lateral pelvic wall through abdominal ostium.
2. Ampulla : it is 5cm long. It lies medial to the infundibulum. It is thin walled, tortuous and widest
part. It is site of fertilization of ovum.
3. Isthmus : it is about 2.5cm to 3cm long. It is narrow, rounded and cord like. It lies medial to the
ampulla.
4. Intramural part : it is about 1cm long. It lies with in the wall of the uterus. It opens into the
uterine cavity by a narrow uterine ostium.

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Blood supply : uterine and ovarian arteries. Venous drainage into pampiniform plexus of vein
into uterine veins.
Nerve supply : sympathetic – T10 to T12 spinal segments
Parasympathetic – S2 to S4 spinal segments
Microscopic structure
Mucuous layer – thrown into numerous branching anastomosing folds which fill the lumen.
Lined by columnar cells – cells are of two types: ciliated cells – which help in the movement of
ova towards the uterine cavity. Non ciliated cells – secretory or peg cells, secretion help in
nourishment of ova. Muscle layer – inner circular and outer longitudinal layer of smooth
muscles. Serosa lined by flat squamous cells of peritoneum.

Applied anatomy
Salpingitis : inflammation of uterine tube.
Tubectomy : by removing a segment of the uterine tube on both side for the purposes of family
planning.

UTERUS

It is a thick walled hollow muscular organ. It consists of three layers endometrium, myometrium
and epimetrium.
Shape : Pear
Situation : in the lesser pelvis between urinary bladder and rectum

Normal position of uterus

Angle of anteversion : it is the forward angulation between long axis of cervix and long axis of
vagina. It is about 90°.

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 Angle of anteflexion : It is the forward angulation between long axis of the body of uterus and
long axis of the cervix. It is about 120°.

Parts of the uterus

It is divided into
1. Body - upper expanded part
2. Cervix – lower cylindrical part
3. Isthmus – constriction between body and cervix
Body : Include
1. Funds : It is the convex part present above the opening of uterine tube.
2. Two surfaces : Anterior and posterior
3. Two lateral borders
Anterior surface : It is flat and covered by peritoneum up to the isthmus and it reflected on the
upper surface of the bladder to form uterovesical pouch.
Posterior surface : Convex and it covered by peritoneum. This peritoneum forms the anterior
wall of rectouterine pouch.
Two lateral borders : It is rounded and give attachments to broad ligament , uterine tube and
round ligament.
Cervix : It is the lower cylindrical part. It is about 2.5cm long . It project in to the anterior wall of
the vagina, dividing in to two parts . Supravaginal part : It lies above the vagina. Vaginal part : It
lies in the vagina.
Cavity and opening of the uterus
1. Uterine cavity : It is the cavity present in the body of the uterus. It is triangular in shape. It
opens in to the uterine tube by uterine ostium and opens into cervix through internal ostium.
2. Cervical canal : It is the cavity present in the cervix. It is spindle shaped. It opens in to uterine
cavity through internal ostium and vagina through external ostium.

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 Ligaments of uterus
1. Broad ligament : It is a peritoneal folds. It is divided into mesosalpinx, mesovarium,
mesometrium and suspensory ligament
2. Round ligament of uterus
3. Transverse cervical ligament
4. Uterosacral ligament
5. Anterior ligament is called uterovesical fold of peritoneum
6. Posterior ligament is called rectovaginal fold of peritoneum
Supports of the uterus
1. Primary supports : Muscular, fibromuscular and visceral
2. Secondary supports : Broad ligament, anterior and posterior ligaments
3. Visceral : Urinary bladder, vagina and uterine axis
I. Muscular supports
1. Pelvic diaphragm : It is a muscular structure formed by levator ani and coccygeus muscles. It
forms the floor of pelvis and supports all the pelvic organs.
2. Perineal body : it is a wedge shaped mass of fibromuscular tissue. It gives attachments to two
superficial and deep transverse perinial muscles, two bulbo spongious muscle, two levatorani
muscle, one sphicter ani externus and one longitudinal muscle coat of anal canal.
3. Urogenital diaphragm : it is a triangular muscle formed by sphincter urethrae and deep
transverse perineal muscles. It supports the uterus as well as the vagina.
II. Fibromuscular
1. Pubo cervical ligaments : it is form endopelvic fascia. It connects cervix to the posterior surface
of pubis
2. Transverse cervical ligaments : It is fan shaped fibro muscular band and derived from
endopelvic facia it connect lateral aspect of cervix to the lateral pelvic wall.
3. Utero sacral ligaments : it is derived from endopelvic fascia and extends from cervix to sacrum.

4. Round ligament of the uterus : it is about 10 to 20cm. it lies between two layers of broad
ligments. It begins at the lateral angle of uterus and runs forward and laterally enters deep
inguinal ring and transverse the inguinal canal and comes out through superficial inguinal ring
and divides into numerous fibrous bands and joins with fibroareolar tissue of labia majora.
Arterial supply : uterine artery and overian artery
Venous drainage : uterine vein drains into the internal iliac vein
Nerve supply : sympathetic T12 and L1
Parasymapathetic S2 to S4

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 Microscopic structure
It has 3 layers - outer perimetrium, middle myometrium and inner endometrium.
Enometrium : lined by columnar epithelium. Stroma contains simple tubular glands and spiral
arteries. Endometrium is divided into : outer parts ( stratum ) functionalis which is shed during
the menustral phase. Inner parts ( stratum ) basalis which help in regeneration of the shed
endometrium. Proliferative phase – under the influence of estrogen endometrium increases in
thickness, gland elongate, spiral artery reaches upto the surface and stromal cells increases in
number. Secretory phase – under the influence of progesterone, the endometrium further
increases in thickness. Glands are dilated and tortuous giving a saw-toothed appearance in
section. Spiral artery further coil upon themselves. Myometrium – three ill-defined layers of
smooth muscles. Blood vessels run inbetween the muscles fibers forming living ligatures.
Perimetrium – made of connective tissue coverings.

Applied anatomy
1. Prolapse of uterus : It supports of uterus become weak due to any cause uterus descends in
vagina is called prolapse of uterus. It may be loss of tone muscles pelvic diaphragm, perineal
tears and repeated child birth.
2. Myoma or fibroid tumour of myometrium
3. Surgical removal of uterus called hysterectomy
4. Cervical carcinoma

VAGINA

It is a female organ of copulation and forms the lower part of the birth canal.
Size : length anterior wall is about 7.5cm and posterior wall is about 9cm.
Width – upper end 5cm and lower end 2.5cm.
Shape in cross section : ‘H’ shape in lower 1/3rd , transverse slit in middle 1/3rd and round in
upper 1/3rd.
Fornices of vagina
The circular area of vaginal lumen around the cervix is called fornix of vagina. It is divided in to
four parts . anterior fornix, posterior fornix and two lateral fornix.
Relations
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Anteriorly : upper half by urinary bladder and lower half by urethra.
Posteriorly : upper ¼ by rectouterine pouch, middle 2/4 by ampulla of rectum and lower1/4 by
Perineal body.
Laterally : ureters, levator ani and pelvic fascia, urogenital diaphragm, bulb of vestibule,
Bulbospongiosus and greater vestibular gland.

Arterial supply : vaginal , internal iliac , internal pudental, middle rectal and inferior vesical
arteries.
Venous drainage : pampiniform plexus of vein drains into vaginal vein drains into internal iliac
Veins.
Nerve supply : upper 2/3rd sympathetic – L1 and L2
Parasympathetic – S2 and S3
rd
Lower 1/3 by pudental nerve
Applied anatomy
Vaginitis : infection of vagina

BREAST OR MAMMARY GLAND

It is a modified sweat gland. It is an acessory organ of the female reproductive system.

It produces nutrition to the newborn in the form of milk.
Situation : it lies in the superficial fascia of the pectoral region. A small extension is called
axillary tail of spence and it extend into the deep fascia.
Extend : second to sixth ribs
Deep relations : deep fascia or pectoral fascia, pectoralis major, serratus anterior and external
oblique abdominis muscles

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 Structure of breast
It is divided into skin, paranchyma and stroma.
1. Skin : it covers gland and consists of
a. Nipple : it is a conical projection, present below the centre of the breast. It is pierced by 15 to
20 lactiferous ducts.
b. Areola : the skin surrounding the base of the nipple is pigmented and forms a circular area
called the areola.
2. Paranchyma : it is a compound tubuloalveolar gland which secrete milk. The gland consists of
15 to 20 lobes. Each lobe is a cluster of alveoli. Alveoli drained by lactiferous duct. Lactiferous
duct converge towards the nipple and open it. Near the termination each duct has a dialation
called lactiferous sinus.
3. Stroma : it forms the supporting frame work of gland. It is compossed of partly fibrou and partly
fatty. The fibrous septa forms the suspensory ligament of cooper, which anchor the skin and
gland to the pectoral fascia.

Arterial supply : it is supplied by internal thoracic, lateral thoracic, superior thoracic and
posterior intercostal arteries.
Venous drainage : the veins follow the arteries.
1. Superficial veins drains into the internal thoracic vein and into the superficial vein of the lower
part of neck.
2. Deep vein drains into the axillary and posterior intercostal veins.

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 Nerve supply
It is supplied by 4th to 6th intercostal nerve.
Lymphatic drainage
The lymph nodes draining the breast are axillary lymph nodes, internal mammary lymph node,
supraclavicular nodes, deltopectoral lymph nodes, posterior intercostal lymph nodes,
subdiaphragmatic lymph nodes and subperitoneal lymph nodes.
Lymphatic vessels
 Superficial lymphatic : it drains the skinover the breast except for the nipple and areola. These
lymphatic drains into axillary, internal thoracic, supraclavicular and deltopectoral lymph nodes.
 Lymph from areola, nipple and paranchyma drains into axillarylymph nodes
 About 75% of the lymph from the breast drains into the axillary lymph nodes.
 About 20% into the internal thoracic lymph nodes.
 About 5% into the posterior intercostal lymph nodes.

Microscopic structure
Inactive mammary gland : contain more connective tissue and less glandular tissue
Parenchyma ; consist of less glandular tissue, poorly developed alveoli having solid cords of
cells. Extensive duct system present. lumen is not visible. More connective tissue and adipose
tissue present. Interlobular connective septum thick. Abundant intralobular loose connective.
Active mammary gland : Parenchyma : glandular tissue more prominent , alveoli is highly
developed and lined by cuboidal epithelium. Interlobular duct lined by cuboidal epithelium,
lactiferous ducts are lined by stratified squamous. Stroma : less connective tissue and adipose
tissue, interlobular septum thin. Intralobular connective tissue is less and contain lymphocytes
and plasma cells.
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Applied anatomy
 Cancer cell may infiltrate the suspensory ligaments. The breast then become fixed.
Contraction of the ligaments can causes retraction of skin.
 Infiltration of lactiferous ducts and their consequent fibrosis can cause retraction of the
nipple’
 Obstruction of superficial lymphatic vessels by cancer cells may causes orange colour
appearance in the skin.
Difference between
Testis Ovary
Male gonad Female gonad
Oval shape Almond shape
Produce testosterone and spermatozoa Produce oocytes
Suspended in scrotum by spermatic cord Lies in the ovarian fossa

Fallopian tube Vas deferense

It is the part of female reproductive It is the part of male reproductive system
system
It present in the abdominal cavity It from the scrotal sac to abdominal
cavity
It is about 10cm long It is about 45cm long
It further connect with uterus It further connect with urethra
It carry ovum from the ovary to uterus It carry sperm from epididymis to
ejaculatory duct

Questions
1. Parts of female reproductive system. Explain uterus in details.
2. Supports of uterus
3. Fallopian tube
4. Breast or mammary gland
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5. Ovary
6. Vagina
7. Parts of male reproductive system . Explain testis in details
8. Prostate
9. Epididymis
10. Vasdeferense
Difference between
11. Ovary and testis
12. Vasdeferense and fallopian tube
13. Male and female reproductive system
14. List the parts of male reproductive system
15. List the parts of female reproductive systenm

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