CH 27 THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM The organs of both the male and the female reproductive systems may be grouped according to function. They include: Gonads Ducts Accessory Glands STRUCTURES OF THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 1 – TESTES The testes are paired oval glands measuring about 5 cm (2 inches) in length and 2.5 cm (1 inch) in width. They weigh approximately 10-15 grams. Structures include: Tunica Albuginea Lobules Seminiferous Tubules Sustenocytes Cells Formerly sustentacular cells, Sertoli cells, and nurse cells. Sperm Interstitial Endocrine Cells Formerly interstitial or Leydig cells. Testosterones Rete Testis Efferent Ducts 2 - SCROTUM Raphe Septum Dartos Muscles Cremaster Muscles 73 3 - EPIDIDYMIS The two epididymides are comma-shaped organs that lie along the posterior border of each testis. Each contains a tightly coiled tube called the ductus epididymis. The ductus epididymides are the site of sperm maturation. Sperm require between 18 hours and 10 days to become mature and capable of fertilization capacitated (capacitated). Sections of Structure Head Body Tail Ductus Epididymis 4 – DUCTUS DEFERENS (VAS DEFERENS) The ductus deferens is about 18 inches long, ascends along the posterior border of each testis, penetrates the inguinal canal as part of the spermatic cord and enters the pelvic cavity. Once in the pelvic cavity it loops over the side and down the posterior surface of the urinary bladder. 5 – SPERMATIC CORD Testicular Artery Testicular Veins Lymphatics Cremaster Muscles Autonomic Nerves Ductus Deferens Formerly the vas deferens. 6 – EJACULATORY DUCTS These ducts are located posterior to the urinary bladder. Each duct is about 2 cm (1 inch) in length. The two ductus deferens and the ducts from the seminal vesicles form the ejaculatory ducts. The ejaculatory ducts release sperm into the prostatic urethra. 7 – URETHRA This is the terminal duct of the system. It passes through the prostate gland, the urogenital diaphragm, and the penis. 74 8 - PENIS The penis is the copulatory organ of the male, and contains masses of sinusoidal erectile tissues. Structural Masses: Corpora Cavernosa Corpus Spongiosum Urethra CT Septum Tunica Albuginea 9 – ACCESSORY GLANDS These structures produce the secretions called seminal fluid that protect and buffer the sperm as they travel through and out of the male system. Prostate Gland Seminal Glands Formerly seminal vesicles. Bulbo-urethral Glands Formerly Cowper’s glands. 10 – THE MALE GAMETE: THE SPERM CELL Spermatozoa are “suicide cells”. They are specially designed to carry a payload of chromosomes a specific distance and are not expected to survive their mission. Sperm have a life expectancy of 48 hours once they are ejaculated into the female tract. They are produced constantly and mature at the rate of about 300 million per day. Head Acrosome Middle Piece Spiral Mitochondria Flagellum 75 11 - MALE HORMONES Hypothalamus GnRH “GnRF” Anterior Pituitary FSH LH Testosterones Activin Inhibin Relaxin STRUCTURES OF THE FEMALE SYSTEM 1 - OVARIES The ovaries are the gonads of the female and they are analogous to the testes of the male. They produce ova, discharge ova and secrete female sex hormones, including estrogen and progesterone. These gonads are paired glands that resemble unshelled almonds. They are positioned in the upper pelvic cavity, one on each side of the uterus. Hilum (Hilus) Germinal Epithelium Tunica Albuginea Stroma 2 - OVARIAN LIGAMENTS The ovarian system of supporting ligaments includes: Broad Ligament Mesovarium Ligament Ovarian Ligament 76 Suspensory Ligament 3 – UTERINE TUBES (OVIDUCTS; FALLOPIAN TUBES) These tubes extend laterally from the uterus and transport the ova from the ovaries to the uterus. They are positioned between the folds of the broad ligaments of the uterus. Infundibulum Fimbriae Layers of tube structure: Mucosa Muscularis Serosa 4 - UTERUS Uterine Regions: Fundus Body Uterine Cavity Isthmus Internal Os Cervix Cervical Canal Uterine Histology: Perimetrium “Serosa” Myometrium Endometrium Endometrial Glands 77 Stratum Basalis Stratum Functionalis 5 – VAGINAL CANAL The vaginal canal serves as a passageway for menstrual flow, acts as a birth canal and also as a receptacle for the penis during copulation. It is a muscular, tubular organ lined with mucous membrane. Fornix Rugae Hymen Microbial Populations 6 – ACCESSORY GLANDS Vestibular Glands Formerly Bartholin’s glands. Endometrial Glands “Uterine glands” Mammary Glands 7 – THE VULVA The term vulva is a collective designation for the external genitalia of the female. The vulva consists of: Mons Pubis Formerly mons pubis veneris. Labia Majora Labia Minora Clitoris Perineum Episiotomy 78 8 – MAMMARY GLANDS The mammary glands are modified sweat glands that are located above the pectoralis major muscles and are attached to them by layers of CT. Lobes Lobules Alveoli Suspensory Ligament Formerly Cooper’s suspensory ligament. Ducts Ampullae Areola Sebaceous Glands 9 – FEMALE HORMONES The monthly cycle of the female is termed the ovarian cycle and one phase of this cycle is termed menstruation. Specific hormones that regulate the operation of the monthly cycle include: GnRF FSH LH Estrogens Progesterone Activin Inhibin Relaxin Prostaglandins 79 10 - THE “MONTHLY CYCLE” AND FOLLICLE DEVELOPMENT: GAMETE PRODUCTION During each month in the life of a sexually mature female, hormone levels dictate the production of approximately 5-7 potential egg cells (ova), each of which is surrounded by supporting cells (follicular cells). Oocyte Ova Sing: Ovum Follicle Follicle Cells Stages of Development: Primordial Follicle Primary Follicle Secondary Follicle Vesicular (antral) Follicle Formerly Graafian follicle or tertiary follicle. Zona Pellucida Corona Radiata Antrum Ovulation Corpus Luteum Corpus Albicans PHASES OF THE MONTHLY CYCLE Menstrual Phase Preovulatory Phase Formerly follicular phase or proliferative phase. Ovulatory Phase Postovulatory 80 TERMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FEMALE CYCLE: Menarche Menopause Menses 81 DISORDERS/DISEASES Breast cancer Chlamydia Cryptorchidism Dysmenorrhea Ectopic pregnancy Endometriosis Genital herpes Genital warts Gonorrhea Impotence Inguinal hernia Male infertility Orchitis Pelvic inflammatory disease Prostatitis Syphilis Uterine prolapse Vaginitis A cancer that usually originates in the breast tissues of both men and women. Worldwide, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer after lung cancer. Called the silent epidemic. This is easily treated with tetracycline, but mighty difficult to diagnose. Over 50% of all cases of PID in USA are caused by Chlamydia. Failure of the testes to descend into the scrotum just prior to birth. Increases risk of testicular cancer. Painful menstruation. May be caused by problems with prostaglandin production or fluctuations in prostaglandin levels. When the fertilized ovum implants in the uterine tube, or falls into the body cavity and implants on the surface of an abdominal organ. Inflammation of the uterine lining. Tissue grows from uterus into abdominal cavity. May cause sterility, or possibly be pre-cancerous. Caused by herpes simplex, Epstein-Barr virus and probably others. Symptoms range from mild to very severe and include periodic severe outbreaks of blisters and other sores. Caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), which is really a family of about 60 different viruses. Increases risk of certain cancers, such as penile, vaginal, cervical and anal cancers. Caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which infects the mucosal linings of both the urinary and reproductive tracts. Failure to achieve erection. Psychological factors or physiological ones can cause this situation. Some medications can cause impotence. Protrusion of a portion of intestine through the wall of the inguinal canal, scrotum, or the lower abdominal wall. Variety of possible causes, including blockage in tubular system of reproductive tract, poorly developed flagella on sperm, malformed sperm, effect of chemical therapies and the denaturation of critical sperm-head enzymes (from wearing tight clothing, etc.). Inflammation of the testes. Often caused by mumps virus. A/k/a PID. Long-term scarring from bacterial infections, like gonorrhea. Can scar tubular system and cause infertility. Any inflammation of the prostate gland. Long-term inflammation and repeat infection may make structure prime pre-cancerous area. Caused by the spiral bacterium Treponema pallidum, which penetrates mucosae and eventually is transmitted to CNS. Initial site of infection is called chancre. Is sexually transmitted, but may also be passed via blood stream of mother to her unborn child. Protrusion of the uterus through the vaginal wall. An inflammation of the vaginal canal that is usually caused by either the flagellated protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis or the bacterium Gardnerella vaginalis. 82