Reproductive System

- production and initial transportation of gamates

-function as endocrine tissue to produce hormones that coordinate activities specific to the sexes

- female gonads= OVARIES

-male gonads= TESTES

-production of spermatozoa

-transport of spermatozoa to female reproducitve tract

-hormonal control + development of the secondary sexual characteristics

The Testes

-stored within the scrotum

-surrounded by tunica albuginea which divides testes into lobules

-each lobule contains seminiferous tubules which produce sperm

-seminferous tubules are continous with other tubules which provides distribution route for sperm

-process by which immature spermagonia develop into mature sperm

-sequence involves: reduction division, equatorial division, spermiogenesis

-results in 4 sperm cells

-immature spermatogonia are located peripherally within seminiferous tubules

-fully mature sperm located centrally

-sperm move from seminiferous tubulues into striaght tubules

-straight tubules lead to the vete testis which empty into the ductus efferentia

-epididymis

-takes about 2 weeks for sperm to transit epididymis

-excess fluid is absorbed + nutrients are excreted

-process referred to as capacitation (ensures cell motility and fertility)

-Urethra

-15-20cm long (longer than female)

-serves both urinary + reproductive 

-3 anatomical regions: prostatic urethra, membranous urethra + penile urethra

Paired seminal vesicles

-location posterior wall of base of bladder

-secrete viscous alkaline fluid amounts for 60% of semen volume

-contains fructose, protaglandins + absorbic acid

Prostate

-large gland postioned below bladder

-secrets milk alkaline secretion 14-30% of semen

Paired Bulbourethal Glands (COWPER'S)

-secrete directly into urethra

-Thick clear alkaline mucus which neutralises traces of acidic urine

-urogential organ

-consists of an attached root + free shaft that ends in an enlarged sensistive tip (glans penis) 

-over which the skin is doubly folded to form a retractable case (foreskin)

-internally the penis comprises the urethra + 3 cyclindrical masses or bodies of spongy erectile tissue

Testosterone

-commences at puberty

-ltenising hormone (LEYDIG CELLS)

-Secondary sex charactistics

-In partnership with FSH stimulates sperm production

-Negative feedback mechanism

Ovaries

-lie each side of pelvic cavity

-supported by ovarian ligaments

-adapted for production of oocytes (eggs)

Fallopian Tubes

-approx 10cm long

-3 distinct regions: isthmus, ampulla, infundiulum + fimbriae

-wall of fallopian tube has 3 layers: internal mucosa, muscularis layer + serosa

-Transport oocyte to uterus

Uterus

-located between bladder + rectum

-site of menstruation + pregnancy

-divided into: fundus, isthmus + cervix

-uterine wall has 3 main layers: inner endometrium, muscular myometrium + outer serosa/perimtrium

Vagina

-thin walled muscular tublar organ

-located between bladder + rectum

-extends from cervix to external genitalia 

-muscle= involuntary smooth muscle 

-Menarche: 1st mentrual period

- Menstrual: period

-Menopause: when period stops

Progesterone

-produced by corpus lutem under influence of LH

-acts only on tissues which have been previously acted on

-causes secretory changes in lining

-causes body temp to rise after ovulation

Oestrogen

-proliferation of uterine endometrium

-secondary sex charactistics

-influences production of cervical mucous

-influences structure of vaginal epithelium

-inhibits FSH 

-causes fluid retention

-under influence of FSH + LH the graafian follicle mature

-becomes tense + ruptures (ovulation)

-corpus luteum- yellow body

-corpus albicans- white body

-menstrual phase

-1st day of cycle

-vaginal bleeding

-endometrium shed down to basal layer

-unfertilised ovum shed

-menstration to ovulation

-under control of oestrogen

-regrowth + thickening of endometrium

-at completion consists of 3 layers: cubodial cilliated epithelium, functional layer + basal layer

-follows ovulation

-under control of progesterone + oestrogen

-functional layer thickens + becomes spongy

-tortuous glands