Reproductive System

Introduction
🞂 One of the essential features of life is the power
of Reproduction ,
🞂 New individual develops from the fusion of two
different sex cells.
🞂 Reproductive organs in male and female differ in
structurally and functionally.
🞂 Functions of male sex organs is to produce
Spermatozoa, and female reproductive system is
to produce Ova
Female Reproductive Organs

ARE CLASSIFIED AS :
🞂 External organs
🞂 Internal organs
🞂 Secondary organs
 External organs are;
- Collectively called as VULVA ( Latin -
Covering)
🞂 Mons pubis
🞂 Labia majora
🞂 Labia minora
🞂 Clitoris
🞂 Vestibule of vagina
🞂 Bulb of vestibule
🞂 Bartholin glands -2
(Greater vestibular glands)
Conti…
Internal organs;-
🞂 Uterus -1
🞂 Fallopian tubes - 2
🞂 Ovaries - 2
🞂 Vagina -1

Secondary organs;-
🞂 Breasts-2
 EXTERNAL GENITALIA/ORGANS

1.Mons pubis ;( Symphysis pubis) (Mons =

mountain)
🞂Rounded, elevated fatty
Tissues that covers
the pubis bone.
🞂During puberty it
covered with hair.
 Conti…

2. Labia majora;-larger lips;-

🞂 They are two symmetrical outer skin folds of
the vulva
🞂 It covered with hair during puberty
🞂 which protect the urethral and vaginal
openings
🞂 They are comparable to scrotum in male.
Conti…
3. Labia minora ;-( small lips)
🞂 Thin, delicate folds of fat free, hairless skin,
located between the labia majora.
🞂 They have many sensory nerve endings.
🞂 Superiorly labia minora meets at the clitoris
🞂 Clitoris forms fold of skin called prepuce or
clitoral hood
 Conti…
4. Clitoris;-
🞂 is a visible knob like portion located above
the opening of the urethra and vagina
🞂 It is 2-3cm in length, comparable to penis in
male, erectile organ contain sensory nerve
ending.
Conti..
5. Vestibule of the vagina (vestibule means
opening)
🞂Is the space between the labia minora
🞂Vaginal opening & urethral opening & ductus of
the greater vestibule glands togahter called
vestibule of the vagina
Conti…
6. Bartholin glands (greater vestibular
glands)
🞂 Two in number, located on each side of the
vestibule of the vagina
🞂 These gland produce mucous secretion in
small amount during sexual arousal, which act
as a lubricate
 Conti…
7. Bulbs of the vestibule; - called as bulbs of
clitoris
🞂 Large, two elongated masses of erectile tissue,
lie along the sides of the vaginal orifice
Blood supply to External
genitalia
🞂 Arterial supply-external &internal pudendal
arteries
🞂 Venous drainage- internal pudendal veins
🞂 Nerve supply-ilioinguinal nerve
genitofemoral nerve
perineal nerve
Internal organs;-

🞂 Uterus -1
🞂 Fallopian tubes - 2
🞂 Ovaries – 2
🞂 Cervix-1
🞂 Vagina -1

Secondary organs;-
🞂 Breasts-2
Internal organs;-
…
1. Uterus;-
🞂 Uterus is thick walled,
pear shaped, hollow muscular
organ, situated in pelvic cavity
with the bladder in front & the rectum behind
🞂 Uterus is 7-8cm long, 5-7cm wide & 2-3cm thick,&
weight 30-40gm in non pregnant uterus
🞂 Position; anteverted and anteflexion,
 Parts of uterus;- 3 major parts

1) Body – expanded superior two third

2) Cervix (latin word -neck) -cylindrical ,lower one
third
3) Isthmus –slight constriction & marks the
junction between the body & cervix
Conti…
Parts of uterus;- 1) BODY
🞂 Fundus is the broad curved upper area
which connected to the fallopian (uterine)
tubes
🞂 Body is triangular in shape &lies between
the openings of tube & isthmus
🞂 The site of entry of the uterine tube is
called Cornua
Conti…
2) Cervix ;
🞂 is the lower part of uterus,
🞂 lined with smooth mucous membrane
🞂 Internal os is where uterus &cervix meet
🞂 lower end of cervix opens into the vagina,
called external OS
🞂 glands in the cervix produce thick mucus
to prevent entry of bacteria
🞂 during Ovulation mucus becomes thinner to
allow sperm easily pass into uterus,
🞂 during child birth cervix dilates to allow the
baby to pass through the birth canal
3)Isthmus a slight constriction part, where
the walls of the uterus begin to narrow
towards the cervix.
🞂 Junction between the body and the cervix.
 Conti….

Layers of uterus;
🞂 Endometrium - Inner most layer,
undergoes cyclical changes under the influence
of oestrogen & progesterone
🞂 Myometrium - Middle thickest
layer ,arranged in three layers of smooth
muscles
🞂 Perimetrium - Outer most layer, made
of peritoneum &connective tissue.
🞂 Uterus is made of by ligaments, uterine vessels
nerves, lymphatics,connective tissue
Conti..

Supports of uterus;-
🞂 Uterus is mobile organ, which under goes
extensive changes in size & shape during
pregnancy.
🞂 It is supported & prevented from sagging down
by a number of factors:
✔Muscular support--- pelvic, perineal,urogenital
✔Fibro muscular ligaments---
pubocervical,transverse cervical,
uterosacral,round ligament of uterus
✔Peritoneal ligaments---broad ligaments
Blood supply of uterus;-

🞂 Arteries; Uterine arteries and ovarian

arteries
🞂 Veins; Uterine veins
🞂 Lymphatic drainage present
🞂 Nerve supply ; sympathetic,
parasympathetic
 Conti…
Functions of uterus;-
🞂 Accepting fertilized ovum to implant in
endometrium
🞂 Acting as bed for growing foetus
🞂 Nourishing / nurturing /protecting foetus till
mature to birth
Conti…
2. Fallopian tubes / Uterine tubes;-
🞂 Are long tubes extending laterally from the
cornua of the uterus
🞂 Each tube is 10-12cm long, J shaped tube, two
in number ,lie both the side, upper border of
uterus
Parts of uterine tubes or
fallopian tube
- FIMBRIAE
- INFUNDIBULUM
- AMPULLA
- ISTHMUS
 Conti..
1) Infundibulum;- funnel shaped
🞂 Distal end closely related to the ovary
🞂 Its margins have 20-30- finger-like, ciliated
projections called Fimbriae & spread over the
surface of the ovary
🞂 also fimbriae capture the ovum from the
surface of the ovary
2)Ampulla;-widest section of the uterine
tubes. Fertilization usually occurs here.
3) Isthmus; - narrow section of the uterine
tubes connecting the ampulla to the uterine
cavity.
 Conti…
Vascular &lymphatic supply;- by uterine and
ovarian arteries. uterine and ovarian veins.
- Lymphatic drainage present,
- Nerve autonomic system. Sympathetic and
parasympathetic
Conti..
Functions of Fallopian Tube;-
🞂 Assist in transfer and transport of the ovum
from the ovary to the uterus and supply it with
nutrients
🞂 Fallopian tube carry sperms from the uterus to
the site of fertilization
🞂Conveys the dividing zygote to the uterine
cavity
Internal organ
3. Ovaries;-
🞂 Ovaries are female gonads( are gamates are
germ cells able to unite with opposite sex to
reproduce)
🞂 Two in number, ovoid in shape,
🞂 Ovary Situated one on each side of the uterus
& lateral wall of the pelvis
🞂 Each ovary 3cm long,1.5cm wide and 1 cm in
thickness
🞂 Young adults ovary is pink in colour, surface is
smooth, long axis nearly vertical ( 1)
🞂 In older women due to repeated ovulations
surface becomes irregular, colour become
greyish, long axis of the ovary becomes
almost horizontal (-----)
🞂 Outer surface is covered by a single layer of
cuboidal cells called GERMINAL EPITHELIUM.
🞂 Oogenesis;- the process of development of
ova from the stem cell is known as
oogenesis ,it occurs in the cortex of the
ovary
🞂 Ovary has an outer part called cortex and
inner part called medulla
🞂 Medulla; - is made of loose connective
tissue cells, blood vessels, nerves,
lymphatic’s
🞂 Cortex; - has a dense collection of stromal
cells
Conti…
🞂 blood supply- by the ovarian artery, ovarian
vein nerve supply-parasympathetic
Functions of ovary;-
🞂 Produce and release of mature eggs for
fertilization every month
🞂 Production of female hormone that is oestrogen
and progesterone
4. Vagina;-
🞂 Vagina is a Fibro muscular canal ,Extending from
the vulva to the uterus
🞂 It’s about 7-9cm long
🞂 Vagina lies between the urinary bladder in front,
rectum behind
🞂 The sphincter Urethrae muscle & pubo vaginalis
muscle support the vagina
🞂 The vaginal opening around the cervix is called
fornix
Conti…
Functions of vagina;
- Organ of copulation ,receives the penis
- Allows escape of menstruation flow,
- Provides passage for birth of baby
Conti..
Hymen;-
🞂 Is a thin annular fold of mucous membrane
called the hymen.
🞂 Lies just above the vaginal opening
🞂 Shape like a half moon
🞂 In virgins, vaginal orifice will be small, admitting
tip of one digit
🞂 Hymen is torn during the sex & other strenous
activity
Functions of female
reproductive tract
1)External genitalia-
✔Provides protection to the vaginal canal
against the infections
✔Secretions lubricate vulva
✔Erectile tissue of clitoris & labia minora help
in sexual arousal
2) Vagina
3) Uterus
4)Fallopian tubes
Conti.. SECONDARY ORGAN
Mammary gland or breast;-
🞂 Breast is present in both the sexes, Bilateral
🞂 After puberty female breasts are well
developed ,increased in size
🞂 Made of by 20 lobes (section), each lobes
divided by lobules
🞂 Breast is made up of 3 components –glandular
tissue, fibrous tissue, interlobular fatty tissue
🞂 Adult female breast has a
- Base
- Nipple
- Areola
- Axillary Tail
 Conti….

Base;-
🞂 Base rest on the pectoralis major muscle
🞂 Base is circular, vertically it extends from the
2nd to 6th ribs
 Nipple;-
🞂 Nipple is conical projection, situated at the centre
of breast
🞂 It is pierced by 15-20 lactiferous ducts
🞂 It has circularly & longitudinally arranged smooth
muscle fibres
🞂 The circular fibres erect the nipple for sucking &
the longitudinal muscle retracts the nipple
Conti…
Areola;-
🞂 Pigmented circular area of the skin around the
nipple, they enlarged during pregnancy &
lactation
🞂 during pregnancy over areola there will be
protuberance known as Montgomery’s
tubercles
Axillary tail ;
🞂 It is a tail like projection from the upper
quadrant of the breast into the axilla
Conti…
Blood supply;
🞂 Artery; by axillary artery, superior thoracic artery
🞂 Veins; axillary, internal thoracic,& intercostal vein
🞂 Nerve; intercostal nerves, sympathetic
🞂 Lymphatic; lymph from mammary gland drains
into axillary nodes

Function;-
🞂 Accessary Organ of sex
🞂 Milk production during child birth to nourish the
infant
Male reproductive organs
External organs;
🞂 Penis --------------------1
🞂 Scrotum ----------------1
🞂 Testis --------------------2
🞂 Epididymis -------------2
🞂 Spermatic cord ---------2
Internal organs;
🞂 Vas deference duct or ductus deferens------------2
🞂 Seminal vesicle---------------------------------------------------
2
🞂 Ejaculatory duct--------------------------------------------------
2
🞂 Prostate
gland-------------------------------------------------------1
🞂
.
1. Penis;-
🞂 Penis is a male sex organ of copulation, one in
number
🞂 reaching its full size during puberty ---it has
root and a body,
🞂 Penis acts as a path for urine to leave the
body.
🞂 The tissues that make up the penis include the
dorsal nerve, blood vessels, connective tissue,
and erectile tissue (corpus cavernosum and
corpus spongiosum).
Parts of the penis;-
🞂 Base/Root
🞂 Shaft
🞂 Glands
🞂 foreskin
Base/Root;
🞂 Attached portion of penis to main body,
🞂 The urethra passes from the bladder to the tip
of the penis.
Shaft of the penis;

Made up by erectile tissues they are

- Corpus cavernous: running along the sides of
the penis. Blood fills this tissue to cause an
erection.
- Corpus spongiosum: sponge-like tissue
running along the front of the penis and ending at
the glans penis, it fills with blood during an
erection
Conti….
Glans (head) of the penis;
🞂 The glans is covered with pink, moist tissue
called mucosa. Very sensitive

Foreskin;
🞂 Covering the glans is the foreskin (prepuce).
Conti….

2. Scrotum-

🞂 Scrotum is a loose cutaneous fibromuscular

sac located directly behind the penis & in
front of the anus
Conti…
🞂 Externally the scrotum is divided into right &
left halves by a ridge
🞂 Scrotum contains right & left testes,the
epididymis & lower part of the spermatic cords
Function;
🞂 It protects the testis from injury, heat
🞂 Act as a climate control system for testes
3. Testes;-
🞂 Testes is male gonad , Ovoid in shape
🞂 Suspended in the scrotum by the spermatic
cord, it lies obliquely
🞂 Right testis is lower in position than the left
Conti…
🞂 Length 5cm, thickness-2.5cm, breadth-3cm,
weight-10 to 15 grams..
🞂 Upper pole of testis provides attachment to
the spermatic cord
🞂 Testis is covered by 3 layers
- Tunica vaginalis –outer layer
- Tunica albuginea- middle, dense fibrous
coat
- Tunica vascular- inner, vascular
🞂 Blood supply; by testicular
artery,vein,lymphatic drain and nerves
Conti…
Functions;
🞂 Produce gamets or sperm
🞂 They secrete hormone testosterone

(testosterone helps in development of male

reproductive organ such as testis, prostate,
promoting 2ndary sexual characteristics such as
increase muscles & bone mass, growth of body
hair)
Conti…

Sperm;- male gamete

🞂 Production occur in testis
🞂 There is a system of tiny tubes in the testicles, these tubes
called the seminiferous tubules, from seminiferous ------
Epididymis------vas difference ----- seminal vesicles-----
ejaculatory duct------urethra---out of the body semen
with sperm travel
🞂 maturation of sperm takes place with the help of
hormone
🞂 Spermatogenesis is a process of sperm production &
maturation
🞂 Life span of sperm 72hrs/3days-5days
🞂 Millions of sperm ejaculated during each sexual act
4.
… Epididymis;-
🞂 Is a narrow, long, comma shaped, tightly coiled
tube. Connects testicles to a vas deference.
🞂 It has three parts; head, body, & tail
🞂 Head of the epididymis; located on superior pole
of testis, it stores sperm for maturation
🞂 Body of the epididymis; highly coiled duct
🞂 Tail of the epididymis; continuous with the vas
deference's
🞂 Sperm cells produce in the testes transport to
the epididymis, where they mature & stored

Functions; storage of sperm

and transfer for ejaculation
 Conti…

Spermatic cord;-
🞂 Spermatic cord is - cord like structure, made up
by bundle of fibres & tissues, vessles,nerves
🞂 Cord extent from deep inguinal ring to
posterior border of the testis
🞂 Function; It suspends the testis in the scrotum
& supply blood to testis
 Conti…
6. Vas deference / ductus deferens ; ( vas-
vessle, ductus-duct, deferens-to carry away)
🞂 Two in number left and right connecting the
epididymis with the seminal vesicles to from the
ejaculatory duct in order to move sperm
🞂 Each tube about 30cm/1ft long,3-5 mm in
diameter
🞂 Surrounded by smooth muscles
🞂 Wall is made by 3 layer
Conti…

🞂 Function; These ducts transport sperm from

the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct for
ejaculation into urethra
Vasectomy; is a permanent method of
contraception where vas deference duct cut and
ligated permanently
Conti…
7. Seminal vesicles/tubules/glands;
🞂 2.5cm long, pair of glands, one on each side of
prostate gland
🞂 situated below the urinary bladder
🞂 It is folded and coiled, length 5cm in folding,10
in unfolding
🞂 Each seminal gland has excretory duct,
Function; it secrete a fluid,alkalin in nature that
ultimately become semen
8. Ejaculatory ducts;
🞂 slender tubes formed by the union of duct of the
seminal vesicle & the vas deference
🞂 2 in number Left & Right
🞂 ED pass through the prostate & open into the
urethra
🞂 Function; carry semen with sperm for
ejaculation out of urethra
(during ejaculation semen
passes through the prostate gland,
enters the urethra &
exist the body via the urinary meatus)
Conti….

9. Prostate;
🞂 Is the largest accessary gland of male
reproductive system
🞂 Size of walnut
🞂 located just below the bladder & it surrounds
the urethra
( urethra runs through the centre of the prostate
from the bladder to penis)
🞂 It reaches its mature size at puberty around 10-
14years of age
🞂 At age of 50 its secretion and function decrease,
size will alter
 Conti…
10.Urethra;-
🞂 narrow, fibro muscular tube
🞂 Extend from urinary bladder
🞂 Travel through penis
🞂 It transport urine and semen out side of the
body
Conti….

The muscles of the prostate gland help propel

seminal fluid into the urethra during ejaculation
Function;
🞂 Produce prostatic fluid-contribute to the
formation of semen 15-30 %
🞂 carries urine and semen out of the body
( passage for both)
🞂 helps for ejaculation
Fertilization
🞂 Union of mature spermatozoa with mature egg
(ovum) and formation of zygote is called is
fertilization
🞂 Semen; is a milky opalescent mucoid fluid,contains
sperms & the secretions of prostate, seminal vesicle
& bulbourethral glands.
🞂 Semen contain sugar,enzymes,minerals,electrolytes
as an energy source for sperm
🞂 Average volume of semen is 2.5-3.5ml per ejaculation
🞂 Each mililiter of semen contains 60-100 million of
sperms
🞂 After ejaculation the sperms survive only for about 48
hours
OVARIAN AND UTERINE
CYCLES
 Female Reproductive Cycles
• Starts at puberty
• Normally continues throughout the reproductive years
• Monthly female sexual / reproductive cycle involves
activities of hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovaries, uterus,
uterine tubes, vagina and mammary glands

Female Reproductive Cycles-types :

1.The “ovarian” cycle = (changes in ovary)
2.The “uterine” cycle = (changes in the
mucosa of the uterus)
 GnRH - Gonadotropin-releasing
hormone
• GnRH is synthsized in the hypothalamus
• Carried to the anterior pituitary gland & releases 2
hormones ,that act on ovaries i.e FSH,LH
✔First menstrual cycles is called Menarche

• In the absence of these 2 hormones, the ovaries remain

inactive throughout the childhood, at puberty anterior
pituitary secrete FSH &,LH which lead to the beginning
of monthly sexual cycles.
•
1) FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) stimulates the
development of ovarian follicles
🞂 Production of Estrogen by the follicular cells

• 2) Luteinizing Hormone or LH serves as the trigger for

ovulation
• Stimulates the follicular cells and corpus luteum to produce
progesterone
🞂 The two cycles occurs regulated by
hormones released by the endocrine
system.
🞂 Changes in the ovary is regulated by the
hormones from anterior pituitary (FSH,LH)
🞂 • Changes in endometrium is regulated by
hormones from ovary during the ovarian
cycle (OESTROGEN,PROGESTERONE)
ovulation
🞂 When the ovum is released from the ovum
to fallopian tubes
 Menstrual Cycle
Phases of Menstrual cycle

🞂 The day count for menstrual cycle begins on the first day of

menstruation when blood starts to come out of the vagina. In this

section, the length of menstrual cycle has been assumed to be 28 days

The entire duration of a menstrual cycle can be divided into four

main phases: 1) Menstrual phase (From day 1 to 5)

2)Follicular phase (From day 1 to 13)

3)Ovulation phase (Day 14)

4)Luteal phase (From day 15 to 28)

Menstrual phase (day 1-5)
🞂 Menstrual phase begins on the first day of menstruation
and lasts till the 5th day of the menstrual cycle. The
following events occur during this phase:
🞂 The uterus sheds its inner lining of soft tissue and
blood vessels which exits the body from the vagina in
the form of menstrual fluid.
🞂 Blood loss of 10 ml to 80 ml is considered normal.
🞂 You may experience abdominal cramps. These cramps
are caused by the contraction of the uterine and the
abdominal muscles to expel the menstrual fluid.
Follicular phase (day 1-13)

🞂 This phase also begins on the first day of menstruation,

but it lasts till the 13th day of the menstrual cycle. The
following events occur during this phase:
🞂 The pituitary gland secretes a hormone that stimulates
the egg cells in the ovaries to grow.
🞂 One of these egg cells begins to mature in a sac-like-
structure called follicle. It takes 13 days for the egg cell
to reach maturity.
🞂 While the egg cell matures, its follicle secretes a
hormone that stimulates the uterus to develop a lining of
blood vessels and soft tissue called endometrium.
Ovulation phase (day 14)

🞂 On the 14th day of the cycle, the pituitary gland

secretes a hormone that causes the ovary to release the
matured egg cell.
🞂 The released egg cell is swept into the fallopian tube by
the cilia of the fimbriae.
🞂 Fimbriae are finger like projections located at the end
of the fallopian tube close to the ovaries and cilia are
slender hair like projections on each Fimbria.
Luteal phase (day 15-28)

🞂 This phase begins on the 15th day and lasts till the end of
the cycle. The following events occur during this phase:
🞂 The egg cell released during the ovulation phase stays in
the fallopian tube for 24 hours.
🞂 If a sperm cell does not impregnate the egg cell within that
time, the egg cell disintegrates
🞂 The hormone that causes the uterus to retain its
endometrium gets used up by the end of the menstrual
cycle. This causes the menstrual phase of the next cycle to
begin.
🞂
 Puberty

🞂 Is the period of life during which the internal

reproductive organs reach maturity between
the age of 12 to 14 in girls.14-16 in boys
🞂 And the girl gets her first menstrual cycle
called Menarche and marks the beginning of
child bearing period this is by the influence of
FSH and LH.
🞂 In boys Spermerchi-production of sperm begins
Involuntary Ejaculation Of White Discharge
From
Penis called Wet Dream/Nocturnal Emission
will start
Testis—testosterone hormone-----sperm
Female pubertal changes

🞂 Enlargement of breasts and erection of nipples

🞂 Growth of body hair, most
prominently underarm and pubic hair
🞂 Greater development of thigh muscles behind
the femur, rather than in front of it
🞂 Changed distribution in weight and fat
more subcutaneous fat and fat deposits, mainly
around The buttocks, thighs, and hips
🞂 Widening of hips
🞂 Rounder face
🞂 Labia minora, the inner lips of the vulva, may
grow more prominent and undergo changes in
color.
🞂 Growth of the uterus, and menses begins
Conti..
Male Pubertal Changes:
🞂 Growth of body hair; including underarm,
abdominal, chest hair and pubic hair.
🞂 Greater mass of thigh muscles in front of
the femur
🞂 Growth of facial hair
🞂 Enlargement of larynx (Adam's apple) and
deepening of voice
🞂 Enlargement (growth) of the penis
🞂 Increased stature adult males are taller than
adult females, on average
Conti…

🞂 Heavier skull and bone structure

🞂 Increased muscle mass and strength
🞂 Larger hands, feet and nose than women,
🞂 Larger bodies
🞂 Square face
🞂 Broadening of shoulders and chest; shoulders
wider than hips
🞂 Increased secretions of oil and sweat glands,
often causing acne and body odor
🞂 Coarsening or rigidity of skin texture due to
less subcutaneous fat