REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

DIPONKOR KUMAR SHILL

 The scrotal sac is likened to a loose bag of skin hanging between the thighs, anterior to the anus; this is
a supporting structure that is suspended from the root of the penis. On the outside the scrotum
usually appears as a single sac of skin that is separated into two portions by a ridge in the middle
known as the raphe. From the inside the scrotum is divided into two sacs separated by a scrotal
septum with a testicle in each. The scrotum assists with control of the temperature of the testes. The
most favourable temperature for sperm production is approximately 2–3°C below core body
temperature; however, too low a temperature can also impact on spermatogenesis. When the
temperature of the testes is too low (if the ambient temperature falls), the scrotum reacts in such a
way that it contracts, bringing the testes up closer to the body. Conversely, if the testicular
temperature is too high, then the scrotum relaxes, enabling the testes to descend, moving them
further away from the body, exposing surface area and providing a faster dispersion of heat
SCROTUM
TESTES

 The testes are small oval‐shaped organs measuring approximately 5 cm long and 2.5
cm wide, each weighing about 15 to 19 gm, with a layer of serous fibrous connective
tissue surrounding [Link] are three layers that cover the testes:
 1. tunica vaginalis
 2. tunica albuginea
 3. tunica vasculosa
 The testes are divided into approximately 250–300 compartments or lobules. Inside
each compartment is a collection of tightly coiled hollow tubes known as the
seminiferous tubules where sperm is produced in the form of sperm stem cells.
TESTES
TESTES

 The key functions of the testes are to:

 The epididymis (plural epididymides) is an approximately 4 cm long comma‐shaped duct. It lies on the
posterior lateral aspect of the testes. The organ is composed of a highly coiled duct. This duct leads to
a larger and more muscular tube called the vas deferens; the vas deferens enters the pelvic cavity.
Within the epididymis the sperm are matured further, being prepared to become more motile so that
they can eventually fertilise the ovum. It takes approximately 14 days of full maturation for this to
occur. Sperm is stored in the epididymis and is released via peristaltic activity as the smooth muscle
contracts during sexual arousal, moving the sperm along the epididymis into the vas deferens. Sperm
stored in the epididymis can remain there for several months; those sperm that are not ejaculated are
eventually reabsorbed.
EPIDIDYMIS
VAS DEFERENS, EJACULATORY DUCT

 The vas deferens (plural vasa deferentia), or the ductus deferens, as it enters the pelvic cavity is less
convoluted than the epididymis; the diameter is also larger, and the length of the vas deferens is
approximately 45 cm. This tube contains ciliated epithelium with a thick muscle layer. The vas deferens
runs from the anterior aspect of the scrotal sac as a pair of tubes via the inguinal canal into the pelvic
cavity. Between the scrotal sac and the inguinal canal is a tube that the vas deferens runs through; this
tube contains the blood vessels and nerves and is called the spermatic cord. The vas deferens then
joins the seminal vesicle to become the ejaculatory duct. This duct then passes into the prostate gland,
discharging its fluid into the urethra.
SEMINAL VESICLES

 The paired seminal vesicles are posterior to the urinary bladder. Their secretion
contains fructose to provide an energy source for sperm and is alkaline to enhance
sperm motility. The duct of each seminal vesicle joins the ductus deferens on that
side to form the ejaculatory duct.
PROSTATE GLAND

 A muscular gland just below the urinary bladder, the prostate gland is about 1.2
inches high by 1.6 inches wide by 0.8 inch deep (3 cm by 4 cm by 2 cm, about the
size of a walnut). It surrounds the first inch of the urethra as it emerges from the
bladder. The glandular tissue of the prostate secretes an alkaline fluid that helps
maintain sperm motility. The smooth muscle of the prostate gland contracts during
ejaculation to contribute to the expulsion of semen from the urethra.
 The bulbourethral glands are about the size of peas and are located below the
prostate gland; they empty into the urethra. Their alkaline secretion coats the interior
of the urethra just before ejaculation, which neutralizes any acidic urine that might be
present.
PENIS

 The penis is the male copulatory organ. The penis encloses the urethra and is a highly vascular organ.
This organ is the passageway for excretion of urine as well as the ejaculation of semen. The penis has a
shaft and a tip known as the glans, and in the uncircumcised male this is covered by the prepuce (also
called the foreskin). The penis is cylindrical in shape, composed of three cylindrical masses of tissues.
The three columns of erectile tissue in the penis are the
 shaft,
 the corpora cavernosa and
 the corpus spongiosum.

 The attached portion of the penis is known as the root, and the freer moving part is called the shaft
or the body.
PENIS

 The penis is usually flaccid and hangs down, but during sexual excitation it becomes erect
(an erection), swollen, engorged with blood, firmer and straighter. These changes occur as a result of
blood filling the erectile tissue, permitting the penis to penetrate the vagina and deposit sperm
(ejaculation) as close to the site of fertilisation as possible. Usually, when the penile compartments
become filled with blood in response to a reaction or an impulse that stimulates the parasympathetic
nervous system arteriolar vasodilatation erection takes place. The erection reflex can be incited by
sight, touch, pressure, sounds, smells or visions of a sexual encounter. When ejaculation has occurred
the arterioles vasoconstrict and the penis becomes flaccid.
 Semen consists of sperm and the secretions of the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral
glands; its average pH is about 7.4. During ejaculation, approximately 2 to 4 mL of semen is expelled.
Each milliliter of semen contains about 100 million sperm cells.
PENIS
HORMONES OF MALE REPRODUCTION
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
OOGENESIS
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

 The female reproductive system consists of the paired ovaries and fallopian tubes, the
single uterus and vagina, and the external genital structures. Egg cells (ova) are
produced in the ovaries and travel through the fallopian tubes to the uterus. The
uterus is the site for the growth of the embryo-fetus.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
OVARY

 Ovaries are flattened ovoid bodies, with dimensions of 4 cm in length, 2 cm in width and 1 cm in
thickness. The ovaries are paired glands; in the adult woman they are flat, almond‐shaped structures
located one on each side of the uterus beneath the ends of the fallopian tubes. These glands in the
female are compared to the testes in the male; the ovaries are internal organs. A collection of
ligaments holds them in position, attaching the ovaries to the uterus. They are also attached to the
broad ligament, and this ligament attaches them to the pelvic wall. The ovaries provide a space of
storage for the female germ cells; they also produce the female hormones oestrogen and
progesterone. A woman’s total number of ova is present at her birth; when a girl reaches puberty she
usually ovulates each month. The ovary contains a number of small structures called ovarian follicles.
Each follicle contains an immature ovum, called an oocyte. Monthly, follicles are stimulated by two
hormones, the follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and LH, which stimulate the follicles to mature. The
developing follicles are enclosed in layers of follicle cells; the mature follicles are called the Graafian
follicles.
FALLOPIAN TUBES

 There are two fallopian tubes (also called uterine tubes or oviducts); each is about 4 inches (10 cm)
long. The lateral end of a fallopian tube encloses an ovary, and the medial end opens into the uterus.
The end of the tube that encloses the ovary has fimbriae, fringe like projections that create currents in
the fluid surrounding the ovary to pull the ovum into the fallopian tube. Because the ovum has no
means of self-locomotion (as do sperm), the structure of the fallopian tube ensures that the ovum will
be kept moving toward the uterus. The smooth muscle layer of the tube contracts in peristaltic waves
that help propel the ovum (or zygote, as you will see in a moment). The lining (mucosa) is extensively
folded and is made of ciliated epithelial tissue. The sweeping action of the cilia also moves the ovum
toward the uterus. Fertilization usually takes place in the fallopian tube. If not fertilized, an ovum dies
within 24 to 48 hours and disintegrates, either in the tube or the uterus. If fertilized, the ovum
becomes a zygote and is swept into the uterus; this takes about 4 to 5 days.
UTERUS

 The uterus is shaped like an upside-down pear, about 3 inches long by 2 inches wide by 1 inch deep
(7.5 cm by 5 cm by 2.5 cm), superior to the urinary bladder and between the two ovaries in the pelvic
cavity. The broad ligament also covers the uterus. During pregnancy the uterus increases greatly in size,
contains the placenta to nourish the embryo-fetus, and expels the baby at the end of gestation. The
fundus is the upper portion above the entry of the fallopian tubes, and the body is the large central
[Link] narrow, lower end of the uterus is the cervix, which opens into the vagina.
UTERUS
VAGINA

 The vagina is a muscular tube about 4 inches (10 cm) long that extends from the cervix to the vaginal
orifice in the perineum (pelvic floor). It is posterior to the urethra and anterior to the rectum. The
vaginal opening is usually partially covered by a thin membrane called the hymen, which is ruptured by
the first sexual intercourse or by the use of tampons during the menstrual period or by any other
physical stress. The functions of the vagina are to receive sperm from the penis during sexual
intercourse, to provide the exit for menstrual blood flow, and to become the birth canal at the end of
pregnancy. The vaginal mucosa after puberty is stratified squamous epithelium, which is relatively
resistant to pathogens. The normal flora (bacteria) of the vagina creates an acidic pH that helps inhibit
the growth of pathogens.
EXTERNAL GENITALS

 The female external genital structures may also be called the vulva, and include the clitoris, labia
majora and minora, and the Bartholin’s glands. The clitoris is a small mass of erectile tissue anterior to
the urethral orifice. The only function of the clitoris is sensory; it responds to sexual stimulation, and
its vascular sinuses become filled with blood. The mons pubis is a pad of fat over the pubic symphysis,
covered with skin and pubic hair. Extending posteriorly from the mons are the labia majora (lateral)
and labia minora (medial), which are paired folds of skin. The area between the labia minora is called
the vestibule and contains the openings of the urethra and vagina. The labia cover these openings and
prevent drying of their mucous membranes. Bartholin’s glands, also called vestibular glands are within
the floor of the vestibule; their ducts open onto the mucosa at the vaginal orifice. The secretion of
these glands keeps the mucosa moist and lubricates the vagina during sexual intercourse.
EXTERNAL GENITALS
HORMONES OF FEMALE REPRODUCTION
MENSTRUAL CYCLE

 The menstrual cycle includes the activity of the hormones of the ovaries and anterior pituitary gland
and the resultant changes in the ovaries (ovarian cycle) and uterus (uterine cycle). Notice first, the
four hormones involved: FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary gland, estrogen from the ovarian
follicle, and progesterone from the corpus luteum. The fluctuations of these hormones are shown as
they would occur in an average 28-day cycle.
 A cycle may be described in terms of three phases: menstrual phase, follicular phase, and luteal phase.
 1. Menstrual phase—The loss of the functional layer of the endometrium is called menstruation or the
menses. Although this is actually the end of a menstrual cycle, the onset of menstruation is easily
pinpointed and is, therefore, a useful starting point. Menstruation may last 2 to 8 days, with an average
of 3 to 6 [Link] this time, secretion of FSH is increasing, and several ovarian follicles begin to develop.
MENSTRUAL CYCLE

 2. Follicular phase—FSH stimulates growth of ovarian follicles and secretion of estrogen by the follicle
cells. The secretion of LH is also increasing, but more slowly. FSH and estrogen promote the growth
and maturation of the ovum, and estrogen stimulates the growth of blood vessels in the endometrium
to regenerate the functional layer. This phase ends with ovulation, when a sharp increase in LH causes
rupture of a mature ovarian follicle.
 3. Luteal phase—Under the influence of LH, the ruptured follicle becomes the corpus luteum and
begins to secrete progesterone as well as estrogen. Progesterone stimulates further growth of blood
vessels in the functional layer of the endometrium and promotes the storage of nutrients such as
glycogen. As progesterone secretion increases, LH secretion decreases, and if the ovum is not
fertilized, the secretion of progesterone also begins to decrease. Without progesterone, the
endometrium cannot be maintained and begins to slough off in menstruation. FSH secretion begins to
increase (as estrogen and progesterone decrease), and the cycle begins again.
MENSTRUAL CYCLE

 Also secreted by the corpus luteum during a cycle are the hormones inhibin and relaxin. Inhibin
inhibits the secretion of FSH, and perhaps LH as well, from the anterior pituitary gland. Relaxin is
believed to inhibit contractions of the myometrium (as does progesterone), which would help make
implantation of the early embryo successful. The 28-day cycle is average. Women may have cycles of
anywhere from 23 to 35 days, the normal range. Women who engage in strenuous exercise over
prolonged periods of time may experience amenorrhea, that is, cessation of menses. This seems to be
related to reduction of body fat. Apparently the reproductive cycle ceases if a woman does not have
sufficient reserves of energy for herself and a developing fetus. Amenorrhea may also accompany
states of physical or emotional stress, anorexia nervosa, or various endocrine disorders
MENSTRUAL CYCLE
REFERENCES
 Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology Fifth Edition by Valerie C. Scanlon PhD (Author), Tina Sanders Medical
Illustrator (Author)
 Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology: For Nursing and Healthcare Students 2nd Edition by Ian
Peate (Editor), Muralitharan Nair (Editor)
 Essentials of Medical Physiology 6th Edition by Ph.D. Sembulingam, K. (Author), Ph.D. Sembulingam,
Prema (Author)
 Several online contents
 [Link]
THANK YOU