Reproductive

System
Anatomy & Physiology
Reproductive System

The reproductive system consists of organs and tubes that produce

and transport the sex cells. Functional male and female reproductive
systems are necessary for humans to reproduce. In individuals who do
not reproduce, the reproductive system also plays important roles.
Functions:
1. Gametogenesis – is the production of gametes or reproductive cells
that are produced in the gonads. Gametes carry the chromosomes
and genetic information from each parent.
• Testes – male gonads and the production site of male gamete or
sperm cell (spermatozoon or spermatozoa – plural).
• Ovaries – female gonads and the production site of female
gamete or egg cell (ovum or ova – plural).
Reproductive System

2. Fertilization – the duct system in males nourishes sperm cells until

they mature and are deposited in the female reproductive tract by
the penis. The female reproductive system receives the sperm from
the male and provides passageway for them to the fertilization site.
3. Development and nourishment of a new individual – the female
reproductive system nurtures the developing fetus in the uterus until
birth and provides nourishment (breast milk) after birth.
4. Production of reproductive hormones – hormones produced by the
reproductive system control its development and the development
of the sex-specific body form. These hormones are also essential for
the routine functions of the reproductive system and for
reproductive behavior.
Reproductive System
Meiosis

Meiosis is a type of cell division specialized for sexual reproduction.

It occurs in the diploid germ cells of the testes and ovaries.
Haploid gametes are the products of meiosis.
Meiosis includes two divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II. A diploid cell
containing two sets of chromosomes divides into four haploid cells,
each containing just one chromosome set.
• Diploid cells – cells that contain two full sets of chromosomes. Each
diploid human cell contains 46 chromosomes.
• Germ cells – diploid cells of the testes and ovaries. The only cells
that can undergo meiosis and develop in gametes.
• Somatic cells – diploid cells that do not directly participate in
reproductions. Neurons and myocytes are examples.
• Haploid cells – cells that contain only one full set of genetic
information amounting to 23 chromosomes.
Meiosis
Meiosis
Meiosis
Scrotum and Perineum
Testes
Testes

• Testes (sing. testis) – small oval shaped male gonads the produce
sperm cells (exocrine function) and hormones (endocrine function).
• Spermatogenesis – sperm cell development that occurs in the
seminiferous tubules and starts at puberty. The germ cells in the
seminiferous tubules divide and differentiate to form sperm cells.
• Spermatocytes – cells in the testes that give rise to mature sperm
cells via meiosis. During spermatogenesis at the stage of
puberty, primary spermatocytes undergo meiosis I. This produces
secondary spermatocytes that then undergo meiosis II.
Spermatogenesis
Male Duct System

• Epididymis – a tightly coiled tube that receives and stores sperm

from the testes and is the site of sperm maturation. It takes 12 – 16
days for sperm to travel through the epididymis and appear in the
ejaculate.
• Vas deferens or ductus deferens – a duct branching out from the
epididymis and travels upward out of the scrotum, carries sperm to
the urethra.
• Spermatic cord – soft round cord like structure that suspends and
supports the testes and epididymis. It is formed by the cremaster
muscle, vas deferens, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.
It provides blood and nerve supply for the vas deferens, testes, and
epididymis.
Male Duct System
Male Duct System

• Ejaculatory duct – approximately 2.5 cm long that connects the vas

deferens with the urethra.
• Urethra – about 20 cm long and extends from the urinary bladder to
the distal end of the penis. It carries sperm, male reproductive fluids,
and urine out of the body.
• Prostatic urethra – connected to the bladder and passes through
the prostate glands.
• Membranous urethra – shortest part of the urethra, extending from
the prostate gland through the perineum.
• Spongy urethra or penile urethra – longest part of the urethra, it
extends from the membranous urethra through the length of the
penis, where it opens to the exterior at the external urethral orifice.
Male Duct System

• Penis – is the male organ of copulation, through which sperm cells

are transferred from the male to the female. It is composed of erectile
tissues with a network of connective tissue and smooth muscle with
spaces that can fill with blood.
• Shaft – is the elongated portion of the penis.
• Corpora cavernosa – the erectile columns that forms the dorsum
and sides of the penis.
• Corpus spongiosum – another erectile column forming the ventral
portion of the penis.
• Glans penis – an expansion of the corpus spongiosum forming a
cap over the distal end.
• Prepuce – known as the foreskin is a loose fold of skin that covers
the glans penis.
Male Accessory Glands

The accessory glands are exocrine glands that secrete important material
for normal reproductive function. These secretions are released to the ducts
of the male reproductive tract.
• Semen – the fluid that carries sperm cells and includes secretions from
several accessory glands.
• Seminal vesicles – are sac shaped glands about 5 cm long that tapers
into a short excretory duct that joins with the vas deferens to form the
ejaculatory duct. It secretes a fructose rich fluid that is the main
component of semen.
• Prostate gland – walnut-sized accessory organ that wraps around part of
the urethra and contributes a thin, milky, alkaline fluid that activates the
sperm to swim.
• Bulbourethral glands or cowper glands – pea-sized glands inferior to the
prostate gland and produces thick, clear alkaline mucus that drains into
the urethra. Each bulbourethral gland is a compound mucous gland.
Ducts & Accessory Glands
Ducts & Accessory Glands
Female Reproductive System

• Broad ligament – an extension of the peritoneum that spreads out on

both sides of the uterus and attaches to the ovaries and uterine tubes.
It helps hold the female internal reproductive organs in place.
• Ovaries – female gonads that produces egg cells (exocrine function)
and hormones (endocrine function).
• Suspensory ligament – a peritoneal fold that extends out from the
ovary to the wall of the pelvis. The ovarian arteries, veins, and
nerves traverse the suspensory ligament and enter the ovary.
• Ovarian ligament – is the ligament that attaches the ovary to the
superior margin of the uterus.
• Oogenesis – is the making of an egg cell that begins before a
female is born.
Ovaries and Ligaments
Female Reproductive System

• Ovaries – female gonads that produces egg cells (exocrine function)

and hormones (endocrine function).
• Graafian follicle or mature ovarian follicle – fluid-filled sacs in the
ovaries that contain the oocyte. It secretes hormones that
influence the stages of the menstrual cycle.
• Oocyte – cells in the ovaries that give rise to mature egg cells via
meiosis. Approximately once a month, beginning at puberty, one
ovary releases the single most mature oocyte that becomes the
egg cell. At birth, primary oocytes are already present and begin
meiosis I but is eventually halted. At puberty, primary oocytes
continue meiosis I, giving rise to secondary oocytes that then
undergo meiosis II.
• Ovulation – is the release of the egg cell from an ovary. This event
occurs when the ovarian follicles rupture and release the
secondary oocyte that differentiated from the primary oocytes.
Oogenesis and Ovulation
Female Reproductive System

• Fallopian tube or uterine tube or oviduct – tube that extends from the
area of the ovary to the uterus. The uterine tube opens directly into the
peritoneal cavity to receive the secondary oocyte released from the
ovary during ovulation.
• Infundibulum – funnel shaped distal end of the fallopian tubes near
the ovary.
• Fimbriae – fingerlike projections that surround the opening of the
infundibulum. Its inner surface consists of cilia that sweeps the
secondary oocyte into the uterine tube.
• Ampulla – part of the uterine tube that is nearest the infundibulum.
It is the widest and longest part of the tube where fertilization
occurs.
Female Reproductive System

• Uterus – sac like organ that receives the egg cell or the zygote and is the
site where the embryo develops. It is like the size and shape of a
medium-sized pear, slightly flattened anteroposteriorly.
• Uterosacral ligament – attaches to the lateral wall of the uterus to the
sacrum for support.
• Round ligament – extends from the uterus through the inguinal canals
to the labia majora of the external genitalia to support the uterus.
• Fundus – larger, rounded part of the uterus that is directed superiorly
in the pelvic cavity.
• Cervix – narrower part of the uterus directed inferiorly in the pelvic
cavity and opens to the vagina.
• Body – the main part of the uterus and is the region between the
fundus and the cervix.
• Isthmus – a slight constriction that marks the junction of the cervix and
the body.
Female Reproductive System

• Uterus – sac like organ that receives the egg cell or the zygote and is
the site where the embryo develops. It is like the size and shape of a
medium-sized pear, slightly flattened anteroposteriorly.
• Uterine Wall Layers
• Perimetrium – serous layer that is the visceral peritoneum and outer
lining that covers the uterus.
• Myometrium – muscle layer that is composed of a thick layer of
smooth muscle. It accounts for the bulk of the uterine wall and is the
thickest layer of smooth muscle in the body.
• Endometrium – innermost layer of the uterus having a rich blood
supply needed for pregnancy. It is shed during menstruation.
Female Reproductive System

• Vagina – female organ of copulation, receiving the penis during

intercourse. It also allows menstrual flow and childbirth. Its wall
consists of an outer muscular layer and an inner mucous membrane.
The muscular layer is smooth muscle that allows the vagina to
increase in size to accommodate the penis during intercourse and
to stretch greatly during childbirth. The mucous membrane is moist,
forming a protective surface layer and provides lubrication.
Female Reproductive System
Female Reproductive System
Female External Genitalia

• Vulva or pudendum – refers to the external female sex organs.

• Vestibule – is the space into which the vagina opens posteriorly and
the urethra opens anteriorly.
• Bartholin’s gland – greater vestibular glands, two pea sized glands
found at the posterior wall of the vaginal opening secreting mucus
for lubrication (homologous to the male’s bulbourethral gland).
• Skene’s gland – lesser vestibular glands, pair of glands located at
the anterior wall of the vaginal opening secreting fluids for
lubrication (homologous to the male’s prostate gland).
• Labia minora – a pair of thin longitudinal skin folds that form a border
on each side of the vestibule.
• Labia majora – prominent, rounded folds of skin found lateral to the
labia minora.
Female External Genitalia

• Hymen – thin fold of mucosa that partially closes the distal end of the
vagina.
• Clitoris – a small erectile structure located in the anterior margin of the
vestibule.
• Prepuce – a fold of skin over the clitoris formed by two labia minora.
• Mons pubis – an elevation over the pubic symphysis formed by the
union of two labia majora.
• Perineum – similar to the male perineum, is the area between the
posterior part of the vulva and the anus. The region between the
vagina and the anus is the clinical perineum. The skin and muscle of
this region can tear during childbirth.
Female External Genitalia
Mammary Glands

• Mammary glands – present in both sexes, but they normally function

only in females. These are the organs of milk production and they are
located within the breasts.
• Each adult female mammary gland usually consists of 15 – 20 glandular
lobes covered by a considerable amount of adipose tissue, giving the
breast its form.
• Mammary alveolus – secretory sacs that produces milk when the
woman is lactating.
• Mammary lobules – cluster of mammary alveoli that makes up a breast
lobe. The lobe then drains produced milk via the lactiferous duct.
Mammary Glands

• Lactiferous duct – the milk duct found in each lobe which opens
independently of other lactiferous ducts on the surface of the nipple,
draining produced milk.
• Lactiferous sinus – a spindle shaped structure formed by the lactiferous
duct where milk accumulates during milk letdown.
• Nipple – the projection at the mammary glands on the surface of
which the lactiferous ducts open.
• Areola – pigmented area that surrounds the central protruding nipple.
Its slight bumpy surface is caused by the presence of the areolar
glands just below the surface.
• Cooper ligaments – a group of suspensory ligaments that support and
hold the breasts in place.
Mammary Glands
Menstrual Cycle

• It refers to the cyclic changes in sexually mature, non-pregnant

females.
• Although the term menstrual cycle typically refers to the changes in
the uterus, the term is often used to refer to all the cyclic events in
the reproductive system, including alterations in hormone secretion
and changes in the ovaries.
• The menstrual cycle is normally described as 28 days long*.
• The menstrual cycle consists of the following stages:
A. Ovarian cycle
B. Uterine cycle
Ovarian Cycle

A. Ovarian cycle – refers to the regular events that occur in the ovaries
of a sexually mature, non-pregnant women during the menstrual
cycle. It is hormonally regulated.
1. Follicular phase – occurs before ovulation where a primordial
follicle develops into a graafian follicle as the primary oocyte
inside continues the first meiotic division. Given the idealized 28
day cycle, the follicular phase occurs between days 1 and 14. On
day 14, the mature follicle ruptures, releasing the newly formed
secondary oocyte*
• Primordial follicle – houses the primary oocytes present at birth.
But once puberty begins, some of the primordial follicles mature
into graafian follicles. This transition occurs as the oocyte inside
it enlarges**
Ovarian Cycle

2. Luteal phase – occurs after ovulation at days 15 to 28. Following

ovulation, the now-ruptured mature follicle transforms into a
gland called a corpus luteum.
• Corpus luteum – an endocrine structure that secretes estrogen
and progesterone*
• If pregnancy occurs, the corpus luteum enlarges and remains
active to maintain pregnancy. Progesterone causes changes
in the uterus that make it more suitable for implantation of the
fertilized ovum and the nourishment of the embryo.
• If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum eventually
degenerates. This decreases estrogen and progesterone
secretion, resulting in menses.
Uterine Cycle

B. Uterine Cycle – refers to changes that occur primarily in the

endometrium of the uterus during the menstrual cycle caused by the
secretions of estrogen and progesterone. There are also subtle
changes in the vagina and other structures.
1. Menses – period of mild hemorrhage that occurs approximately
once each month, during which the endometrium is sloughed off
and expelled from the uterus.
• Menstruation – is the discharge of the sloughed endometrial
tissue and blood*
2. Proliferative phase – the time between the ending of menses and
ovulation. During this phase, the endometrium of the uterus begins
to regenerate. Estrogen causes the endometrial cells and, to a
lesser degree, the myometrial cells to divide**
Uterine Cycle

B. Uterine Cycle – refers to changes that occur primarily in the

endometrium of the uterus during the menstrual cycle caused by
the secretions of estrogen and progesterone. There are also subtle
changes in the vagina and other structures.
3. Secretory phase – the period after ovulation and before the next
menses. During this phase, the endometrium becomes thicker
and starts to secrete small amounts of a fluid rich in glycogen.
Approximately 7 days after ovulation, or about day 21 of the
menstrual cycle, the endometrium is prepared to receive a
developing embryonic mass, if fertilization has occurred*
Menstrual Cycle
Menstrual Cycle
Female Sexual Behavior & Act

• The female sex drive, like the sex drive in males, depends on
hormones. The neural pathways, both sensory and motor, involved
in controlling sexual responses are the same for females and males.
• The adrenal gland converts progesterone to androgens. Androgens
and estrogens affect cells in the brain, especially in the
hypothalamus, to influence sexual behavior.
• Sensory action potentials are conducted from the genitals to the
sacral region of the spinal cord, where reflexes that govern sexual
responses are integrated. Motor action potentials are the
conducted from the spinal cord to the reproductive organs.
Female Sexual Behavior & Act

• Engorgement – due to parasympathetic stimulation, blood flow to the

female genitals is increased, engorging the erectile tissues in the clitoris
and around the vaginal opening. The mucous glands within the vestibule
secrete mucus for lubrication.
• Lubrication – increased vaginal secretions for sexual intercourse
lessening friction in penile penetration.
• Female Orgasm – pleasurable sensation at the peak of sexual
stimulation accompanied by rhythmic pelvic muscular contractions with
vaginal, uterine, perineal, and anal contractions. Muscle tension
increases throughout the body. In contrast to males, females can be
receptive to further stimulation and can experience successive orgasms.
• Resolution – an overall sense of satisfaction and relaxation that occurs
after the sexual act.
Female Sexual Behavior & Act
Male Sexual Behavior & Act

• The male reproductive system is under hormonal and nervous

control. Hormones also influence sexual behavior. Neural
mechanisms are primarily involved in sexual behavior and control of
the sexual act.
• Testosterone is required to initiate and maintain male sexual
behavior. It enters the cells within the hypothalamus and the
surrounding areas of the brain and influences their function, resulting
in sexual behavior.
• Male sexual reflexes are initiated by a variety of sensory stimuli.
Action potentials are conducted by sensory neurons from the
genitals through the pudendal nerve to the sacral region of the spinal
cord, where reflexes that result in the male sexual act are integrated.
Male Sexual Behavior & Act

• Erection – penile erectile tissue becomes engorged with blood enabling

the penis to penetrate the vagina and deposit semen in the female
reproductive tract.
• Emission – is the accumulation of sperm cells and male reproductive
secretions by the accessory glands into the urethra.
• Male Orgasm – pleasurable sensation at the peak of sexual stimulation
accompanied by rhythmic muscular contractions that eject the semen
through the urethra and out of the penis.
• Ejaculation – the discharge of semen from the penis, forceful expulsion of
semen from the urethra caused by contraction of the urethra, the skeletal
muscles in the pelvic floor, and the muscles at the base of the penis.
• Resolution – characterized by a flaccid penis, an overall feeling of
satisfaction, and the inability to achieve erection and a second
ejaculation for a period that can range from minutes to hours or longer.
Male Sexual Behavior & Act