1. Anatomy and Physiology Junior Health
Reproductive System
Anatomy and Physiology
Junior Health

2. Role of Reproductive System
1. Produce, store, nourish and transport male and female reproductive cells
2. Successfully allow meeting of sperm with ovum to produce zygote
Zygote=the cell that results from fertilization. It is the union of a spermatozoon and an ovum.
Gamete=A single mature egg or sperm capable of reproduction to form a zygote. Each gamete contains a single (haploid) chromosome: the double (diploid) chromosome of the resulting zygote contains the genetic information programming the growth of the new individual.

3. Reproductive System components
Primary Sex organs
Males = testes
Females = ovaries
Reproductive Tract
Ducts that receive, store and transport gametes
Accessory glands and organs
Perinea structures (external genitalia)

4. Female Reproductive System
The role of the female is not only to produce the gametes or egg cells, but her body must prepare to nurture the developing embryo.
The female internal genitalia is housed in the pelvic cavity, which is part of this protection system for these organs

5. Principle organs of the female reproductive system
Ovaries
Fallopian Tubes
Uterus
Endometrium
Vagina
Cervix

6. Ovaries
The female sex glands that house the ova and produce the female sex hormones
2 Ovaries
Almond shaped and located on each side of the body in the lower abdomen
At birth, a female has over 400,000 immature ova
The ovaries begin the process of releasing one ova per month, this is called ovulation

7. Fallopian Tubes
Two muscular tubes through which the egg cell moves from the ovary to the uterus.
Very often the space where fertilization occurs.
Each is about four inches long
The tubes do not actually touch the ovaries, they kind of hover and often a egg cell is lost into the peritoneal cavity, what the tubes must do is catch the egg cell within the tube.

8. The uterus
A small muscular, pear shaped organ about the size of a fist.
Prepares each month to receive a fertilized egg
Houses the fetus during pregnancy
Pushes out baby during childbirth
Mechanical protection
Nutritional support
Waste removal for the developing embryo and fetus

9. Cervix The lower portion of the uterus
Common site of cancer in females
Muscular junction that opens (dilates) during birth
Cervical cancer strikes about 450,000 women each year, killing about half. the first part of the long and hazardous route which sperm must navigate to reach an ovum, but which, at fertile times, assists them by sperm-friendly modification of the secretions from its lining. In the event of pregnancy, the cervix remains a narrow channel until the final weeks: then the muscle of the wall thins out, allowing descent of the infant's head into the pelvis. During the first stage of labor the opening into the vagina enlarges; when it is ‘fully dilated’ the second stage begins, heralding descent of the fetus into the vagina. The cervix is one of the common sites for cancer, hence the advisability of regular cervical smears.

10. Vagina
Muscular elastic tube, approximately 3-4 inches long that extends from the uterus to outside of the body.
Serves as a passageway for male sperm, menstrual flow, and commonly called the birth canal.

12. Ovaries

13. External genitalia Vulva external female sex organ Mons Pubis
Soft tissue that covers the pubic bone and protects the internal genitalia
Labia minora and majora
The outer and inner folds that surround the opening of the vagina
Clitoris
a small, highly sensitive organ located between the inner folds of the labia minora
Breasts
organs composed of fatty tissue that are sensitive and provide milk for a
newborn baby
Paraurethral glands
Clitoris
The outer and inner folds that surround the opening of the vagina
Lesser and greater vestibular glands

14. Figure 28.22 The Female External Genitalia

16. Hormones of the female reproductive cycle
Control the reproductive cycle
Coordinate the ovarian and uterine cycles
Estrogen
Maintains the secondary sex characters and organs, such as mammary glands, uterus, vagina, and fallopian tubes
Progesterone
excreted by the ovary and placenta, acts to prepare the uterus for implantation of the fertilized ovum, to maintain pregnancy, and to promote development of the mammary glands.

17. Female Physiology Ovulation
The release of a mature egg cell (ovum) from the ovary the usually occurs once a month.
Menstruation
The process by which the uterus sheds its inner lining
Fertilization
The union of an egg and a sperm cell.
Pregnancy
The process by which the zygote grows and develops in the mother’s uterus and forms a new individual
Childbirth
The delivery of the baby from the mother’s uterus
The two ovaries typically alternate release of the egg.
Menstruation- the lining of the uterus thickens in preparation fro the possibility of a fertilized egg, if not fertilized the linng breaks down and eventually blood and tissue leave the body, cycle occurs approximately every 28 days
Fertilization-it is also called conception

18. Male Reproductive System

19. External Reproductive Organs
Testes
2 small glands that produce sperm at the rate of 100 million per day
Scrotum
A sac that holds the testes and regulates temperature, which protects sperm by keeping the testes at a body temperature slightly below normal 98.6
Penis
Composed of spongy tissue that contains many blood vessels. Increased blood flow to the penis causes it to become erect, and ejaculation of semen occur through the urethra

20. Internal Reproductive Organs
Epididymus
Elongated tube located at the outer surface of the testes, monitors and adjusts seminal fluid, stores and protects sperm,
Vas Deferens
Pair of connecting tubes that lead up the body towards the other internal ducts
Ejaculatory duct
joins with the seminal vesicle and distributes sperm into the Prostate Gland
Urethra
Passageway through which both semen and urine leave the body.
Ejaculation of sperm comes from the epididymus
Semen and urine do not pass through at the same time.

21. Male Reproductive Tract
Pathway of sperm
Produced in the testes
Stored in the Epididymis
Travels through the Vas Deferens
Combines with fluid from the Seminal Vesicles
Combines with fluid from the Prostate gland
Combines with fluid from the Cowper’s gland
Now called semen, travels through urethra in the penis
Leaves the body through the opening in the penis during ejaculation

22. Semen
Fluid containing sperm and other secretions from the reproductive organs
Typical ejaculation: 2-5ml of semen
Contains:
Spermatozoa
Seminal Fluid
Enzymes

23. Accessory Glands Contribute close to 95% of total semen volume
Glands include:
Seminal Vesicles
Prostate gland
Cowper’s gland
Major Functions:
Activate spermatozoa
Provide nutrients for spermatozoa mobility
Protect from urethra and vaginal contents

24. Accessory Glands Seminal Vesicle Prostate gland Cowper’s Gland
Is a gland that helps enhance sperms motility or fertilizing power
Prostate gland
Size of a peach pit which surrounds the urethra, it activates sperm as it travels through the ejaculatory duct into the urethra, it is then mixed with fluids from this gland
Cowper’s Gland
Sperm mixes with thick mucus excretions which now forms semen, and it aids in sterilization of urethra
Cowpers gland is the size of a pea, the excretions neutralize acids that may have been left in the urethra from urine,

26. Hormones Testosterone
The male sex hormone, which is released by the pituitary gland, is also responsible for the production of sperm)

27. Problems with the Male Reproduction System
Hernia
Intestines rupture through a weak spot in the abdominal wall and push into the scrotum
Enlarged Prostate
Occurring as a result of tumor, infection, or old age
Cancer of the prostate gland
Uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate gland
Prostate Cancer often occurs in older men
Testicular cancer occurs most often in males between the ages of 15 and 34

28. Problems with the Male Reproduction System
Testicular Cancer
Uncontrolled growth of cells in testes
Andropause
Decrease in male sexual function due to diminished testosterone levels
Sterility
Inability to reproduce due to poor quality of sperm or too few

29. Causes of Male Sterility
Extreme temperature changes
Low sperm production
Exposure to certain chemicals
Contracting mumps as an adult
Smoking
STD’s
Malformation of the Epididymus, vas deferens, Cowper’s and prostate glands