Reproductive System Anatomy

By Mrs. Bush

IntroductionBoth male and female reproductive

systems have essential and accessory organs of reproduction

Common groundGenitalia – refers to the sexual

structures of either genderGonads – refer to the essential

sexual organs of either gender (the parts that make the sex cells)

Male reproductive systemEssential organs (gonads) of the male

are the testes.The sex cells produced by the testes

are sperm.The accessory organs are ducts, sex

glands, and genitals.

Male reproductive systemThe testes are located in the scrotum.

Do you know why?

If you said because of the lower temperature, you’re right.

Male reproductive systemThe process of sperm production is

SPERMATOGENESIS.In spermatogenesis, there are 3 steps.

1. Sperm precursor cells called spermatogonia are formed

2. Meiosis forms a primary spermatocyte, which forms four spermatids with 23

chromosomes each3. Highly specialized cells called spermatozoa

develop.

Male reproductive systemTestosterone is a hormone produced

by cells in the testes.This hormone “masculinizes” and promotes development of male accessory organs, and stimulates development of muscle growth.

Male reproductive systemAfter sperm exit the testes, they are stored in a single coiled tube about 6

meters long called theEPIDIDYMIS

where they mature and learn to swim!

Male reproductive systemThe VAS DEFERENS receives sperm from the epididymis and transports them from the scrotal sac through

the abdominal cavity.

Male reproductive systemThere are sex glands that secrete fluid to

make semen.Seminal vesicles secrete fluid that is rich in fructose to give the sperm energy to move.

The prostate gland is shaped like a doughnut, located below the bladder, and

the urethra runs through it.Cowper’s glands are small glands that

secrete a small amount of mucus-like fluid.

Male reproductive systemThe urethra passes sperm, in the

form of semen, to the exterior of the body.

During intercourse the semen are deposited into the female vagina.Each milliliter of semen contains

about 100 million sperm.

Female reproductive systemThe essential organs (gonads) of the female system are the ovaries, which

produce the sex cells called ova. A single egg is an ovum.

Accessory organs are ducts, sex glands, and genitals.

Female reproductive systemThere are two ovaries, each weighing about 3 grams. They are located in

the pelvic cavity.Egg cell production is called

OOGENESIS.Immature egg cells are called

OOCYTES.

Female reproductive systemYoung women have about 400,000 egg cells called PRIMARY FOLLICLES

at puberty.About 300-500 mature follicles

ovulate during a woman’s reproductive lifetime.

Female reproductive systemIn meiotic cell division, daughter cells

are produced with equal chromosome numbers (23) but

unequal cytoplasm. Ovum is large; the rest is a polar body which will

degenerate

Female reproductive systemTwo hormones are produced by the

ovaries:ESTROGEN

andPROGESTERONE

Female reproductive systemTwo hormones are produced by the

ovaries:ESTROGEN

andPROGESTERONE

Female reproductive systemEstrogen causes development & maintenance of secondary sex

characteristics.Progesterone stimulates secretory activity of uterine lining and assists

estrogen in initiation of menses.

Female reproductive systemMenses – the beginning of the female menstrual cycle where

ovaries release egg cells (ovulation) and if no pregnancy occurs, the

uterus will shed its liningMenopause – the end of the female

reproductive lifetime

Female reproductive systemThe tubes where fertilization occurs are the uterine or Fallopian tubes. They transport the egg cell to the

uterus, where, if it has been fertilized, the egg will implant into

the uterine wall.

Female reproductive systemThe uterus holds a baby during

pregnancy; sheds lining if pregnancy does not occur, & contracts during

labor.During labor, the baby leaves the

uterus through the vagina.

Female reproductive systemThe breasts, located over the

pectoral muscles of the thorax, function during lactation.

To be continued…The next slide show and study guide will cover gestation, development,

genetics and heredity. That will come next week!!!