REPRODRUCTIVE

SYSTEM
Eric, Faakuu
What is the reproductive system?
• The reproductive systems in both the male and female consist of primary and
secondary sex organs and sex glands.
• The primary function of the reproductive systems is to perpetuate the species
through sexual or germ cell fertilization and reproduction.
• Primary Sex organs
• These are called the Gonads (Ovaries and testes)
• Testes produce male sex cells/gametes
• Ovaries produce female sex cells/gametes
• Secondary Sex Organs
• All the other reproductive organs either than the gonads
• Mainly concern with copulation (intercourse), transport of sex cells and accommodating and
nourishing the product of conception
 VULVA (external genitalia)
The vulva is 5 organs making up the external genitalia of the female:
• Mons pubis:
• triangular-shaped pad of fatty tissue over the pubis bone, covered with pubic hair
• Labia majora:
• 2 large folds of adipose tissue on the sides of the vaginal opening
• Labia minora:
• 2 smaller folds of adipose tissue on the inside of the labia majora
• Vestibule:
• area between labia with openings for the vagina, urethra, and two excretory ducts for Bartholin’s glands
(provide lubricant)
• Clitoris:
• a sensitive of tissue partially covered by hood
 Female reproductive system
• The uterus is a hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ about the size of a woman’s
clenched fist.
• The top is tipped forward in a normal ‘anteflexion’ position.
• It can be divided into the body or corpus, and the bottom cervix.
• The rounded top portion, above the fallopian tubes, is called the fundus
 uterus
• The uterus is supported and held in position by a number of ligaments.
• eg uterosacral ligament, transverse cervical (cardinal ligament), pubocervical ligament
• Trauma, disease, or multiple pregnancies can weaken these ligaments and result in
abnormal positioning and uterine prolapse may occur
• The uterus wall has 3 layers:
• Perimetrium -the outside layer called the,
• Myometrium -the muscular inside layer
• Endometrium- the mucous membrane lining the uterus
The uterus has 3 functions;
1. The endometrium sheds the lining of the uterus every 21 to 40 days by
menstruation
2. It provides a place for the protection and nourishment of the fetus during
pregnancy
3. It contracts during labor to expel the fetus
 Fallopian tube
• The fallopian tube is 4-6 inches long
• Tube widens to form the ampulla
• The isthmus is the portion that connects to uterus
• Fimbria are the finger-like projections around the opening that trap the egg as it leaves
the ovary
• End of the tube is called the infundibulum
• Opening is called the ostium
• The egg is moved along inside the tube by muscular contractions and the waving
action of cilia.
• It takes an egg about 3-4 days to travel the length of the tube
 Ovaries
• The two ovaries are attached to each side of the uterus by the ovarian ligament.
• They are oval-shaped, about the size of a large olive
• lie close to the fimbria at the end of the fallopian tubes
• Each ovary is filled, already at birth, with egg-containing sacs called follicles.
• Each egg is called an ovum.
• Once every 21 days, one follicle in one ovary ripens.
• This mature follicle is a graafian follicle.
• The follicle ruptures in response to hormones from the pituitary gland, releasing the
ovum/egg… a process called ovulation.
• After the follicle ruptures, it becomes a mass of yellow cells called the corpus luteum.
• This is a temporary, progesterone-producing structure.
 VAGINA
• The vagina extends from the cervix to the outside of the body.
• It is a 3 ½ inch long muscular tube that expands in length and width during sexual arousal.
• The vagina is the female organ for copulation (sexual intercourse), receiving the seminal
fluid from the male penis.
• It is also a passageway for menstruation or the birth of a fetus.
• The perineum is the area located between the vaginal opening and the anus. It is a
muscular sheet that can be torn during childbirth
• Some doctors avoid uncontrolled tearing of the perineum by making a surgical incision
called an episiotomy
Breast
• The breast are the mammary glands,
• vary in size according to age, heredity, and the amount of fatty tissue present.
• Each has 15-20 glandular lobes separated by connective tissue.
• After childbirth, pituitary gland stimulates these lobules with the hormone
prolactin… and they produce milk
• Areola is the dark-colored circle at the tip of the breast
• It contains sebaceous glands to keep the skin conditioned.
• Nipple where ducts from the lobules open. The first secretion from the breast is
not a true milk, but a thin yellowish substance called colostrum.
 Menstruation
• The onset of the menstrual cycle, or menarche, begins at puberty and ceases at menopause.
• The cycle has 3 phases:
• The follicular phase
• characterized by menstruation, when the thickened lining of the endometrium is shed because no egg was
fertilized or implanted.
• It is preceded by a premenstrual period characterized by hormonal and physical changes
• The ovulatory phase
• Estrogen is the hormone produced by the ovaries, which stimulates the maturation of a follicle and thickens
the endometrium.
• The luteal phase
• follows ovulation, and is characterized by the development of the:
• corpus luteum,
• the secretion of progesterone
• the preparation of the endometrium for implantation of a fertilized egg,
• the formation of a thick mucous to block the cervix once the egg passes out of the fallopian tube.
• Pregnancy begins with fertilization leading to conception
• Fertilization: when a haploid sperm (23 X’somes) fuses with a haploid
egg/ovum (23 X’somes) to form a diploid zygote (46 X’somes)
• A blastocyst is formed when the cell undergo mitotic division
• Embryo is formed from week 2 to 8.
• Implantation occurs when the fertilized ovum attaches to the wall of
the uterus
• Progesterone levels increases to signal Pregnancy
Gestation
• Last for averagely 9moths (280 days)
• Amniotic sac contains the embryo surrounded by amniotic fluid
• Umbilical cord connects the foetus at the navel to the placenta of the mother
• First trimester is crucial for formation of all organs
• Second trimester for functioning of organs
• Third trimester for the growth and development of foetus
Some complications of Pregnancy
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Placenta previa
• Pregnancy induced hypertension(Preeclampsia)
• Spontaneous abortion or miscarriage
• Breach birth
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• External genitalia
• The scrotum
• is a pouch of skin suspended from the perineal
• divided into two sacs by the median scrotal septum
• each containing one testicle and epididymis.
• Externally by the scrotal raphe
• The scrotal tissue contracts in the absence of sufficient heat, pulling the testes up
closer to the body where the temperature maintains the viability of sperm.
Penis
• A long pendulous organ on top of the scrotum, the male organ of copulation
• Averages 13cm long when erect
• Made up of the following parts;
• Glans
• Body/Shaft (corpus)
• Root
• Prepuce (foreskin)
• Smegma – lubricant under the foreskin
• Circumcision- removal of foreskin
 Testes
INTERNAL GENITALIA
• The two oval-shaped testes are located in the scrotum
• Require a temperature two degrees Celsius below body temperature for optimum
sperm production
• each divided into 250 lobules.
• Coiled within the lobule are seminiferous tubes where the sperm are formed.
• The mature sperm are stored in the epididymis,
• Coiled tube of about 13-20 feet in length, lying on the side of each testicle
• Sperm carry either an X/female OR Y/male chromosome
• Since all ova carry the X/female chromosome, the male sperm does influence the baby’s
sex.
• The head is covered by acrosome, contains enzymes that help it penetrate the ova.
• The head carries the genetic material.
• The midpiece supplies energy. The tail or flagellum provides motility.
Vas deferens(ductus deferens)
• Tubular structure of about 30-45cm long
• It’s a continuation of the epididymis
• Transports sperms from epididymis to the urethra
• Unites with duct of the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct
Urethra
• Starts from the neck of the bladder to the external urethral orifice
• About 18 -22 cm in length
• Transport both urine and semen to the exterior of the penis
Glands of the male reproductive
system
• Prostate gland
• Seminal vesicles
• Bulbourethral glands