1. Human Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology
Chapter 2
Human Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology

2. Puberty Involves changes in the whole body and psyche
Reproductive system matures and becomes capable of reproduction
Secondary sex characteristics appear
Ends when
Mature sperm are formed in males
Menstrual cycles become regular in females
Boys grow taller, more muscular, and develop pubic and facial hair and a deepened voice.
Girls experience menarche, broadened hips, breasts, and pubic and axillary hair.
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3. Puberty (cont.)
Celebrated in many cultures as a rite of passage into adulthood
Other cultures lack this ritual
Has led to confusion for some adolescents in many industrialized nations
Examples of celebrations include demonstrations of bravery, such as hunting or displays of self-defense.
Can you describe rites of passage in our culture?
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4. The Male Hormonal changes begin between 10 and 16 years of age
Outward changes
Penis and testes increase in size
Grows taller, more muscular
Secondary sex characteristics
Pubic and facial hair
Deeper voice
Testosterone levels become constant
Nocturnal emissions (“wet dreams”) may occur
They do not contain sperm
The hormone levels in the male are constant, not cyclic as in females.
Audience Response Question #1
What is the first outward change of puberty in males?
1. Development of pubic hair
2. Nocturnal emissions
3. Voice deepens
4. Penis and testes increase in size
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5. The Female Development of breasts occurs first
First menstrual period (menarche) occurs approximately 2 to 2.5 years later (around 11 to 15 years of age)
Growth spurt ends earlier than the male
Hips broaden
Pubic and axillary hair appear
Puberty and the onset of menstruation begin at younger ages today than in previous generations.
To what can these changes be attributed?
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6. External Genitalia Penis Scrotum Expels urine from bladder
Deposit sperm into female’s vagina
Contains erectile tissue
Blood is trapped within the spongy erectile tissue to enable erection
Scrotum
Sac that contains the testes
Suspended from the perineum
Helps keeps testes cooler than the rest of the body
Necessary for spermatogenesis
The penis and the scrotum make up the external male genitalia.
Review the organs with a pointer and outline each of their functions.
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7. Internal Genitalia Testes Manufacture male germ cells
Spermatozoa or sperm
Secrete male hormones
Androgens
The testes descend from the male’s body cavity during uterine development.
What are the implications related to this occurrence?
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8. Testosterone
Has the following effects, not related to sexual reproduction
Increase muscle mass and strength
Promotes growth of long bones
Enhances production of RBCs
Produces enlargement of vocal cords
Affects the distribution of body hair
The end results of these changes include greater strength and stature.
What influence does the increased production of RBCs have on the male’s hemoglobin and hematocrit levels?
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9. Ducts Epididymis Stores sperm for 2 to 10 days
One from each testicle
Stores and carries sperm to the penis
Stores sperm for 2 to 10 days
Sperm mature and then move to the vas deferens
The urethra transports both urine (from the bladder) and semen (from the prostate) to be expelled
But not at the same time
At the time of ejaculation, the bladder neck closes off forcing the semen forward out of the urethra through the contraction of the pelvic muscles.
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10. Accessory Glands Seminal vesicles Prostate gland
Bulbourethral glands (a.k.a. Cowper’s glands)
Job is to produce secretions to
Nourish sperm
Protect sperm from acidic environment within woman’s vagina
Enhance motility of sperm
Semen is seminal plasma and sperm together
Clarify the difference between semen and sperm.
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11. External Genitalia Mons pubis Labia majora Labia minora
Pad of fat tissue covered by coarse skin and pubic hair
Protects symphysis pubis
Labia majora
Two folds of fatty tissue on each side of vaginal vestibule
Many small glands in this area
Labia minora
Two thin, soft folds of tissue
Secretions from sebaceous glands
Bactericidal
Lubricate and protect the skin of the vulva
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12. External Genitalia (cont.)
Fourchette
Fold of tissue just below vagina
Known as obstetrical perineum
Clitoris
Erectile body
Most sensitive part of female genitalia, produces smegma (a cheese-like secretion of sebaceous glands)
The term vulva refers to the grouping of the external female genitalia.
What is the clinical importance of the perineum?
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13. External Genitalia (cont.)
Vaginal vestibule
Urethral meatus—exit for urine
Perineum
Strong muscular area between vaginal opening and anus
Allows stretching for birth
Site of episiotomy
•Discuss the “social” implications associated with the presence of the hymen.
The hymen is not be a reliable indicator of sexual activity.
The perineum can also tear during the delivery process.
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14. Vagina Tubular structure Rugae Self-cleansing Functions
Muscle and membranous tissue
Connects external genitalia to uterus
Rugae
Enables stretching during sexual intercourse
Delivery of fetus
Self-cleansing
During reproductive years, pH 4 to 5
Functions
Provides passageway for sperm to enter the uterus
Allows drainage of menstrual fluids and other secretions
Provides a passageway for delivery of fetus
The use of douches should be reviewed with female patients.
Douching alters the normal chemical balance of the vagina.
What are the physiological implications of frequent douching?
Is douching is medically recommended?
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15. Uterus Hollow muscular organ Shaped like an upside-down pear
Fertilized ovum implants and develops into an embryo
Shaped like an upside-down pear
Lies between the urinary bladder and rectum, above the vagina
The uterus is known as the womb.
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16. Uterus (cont.) Fundus and corpus (body of the uterus)
Have three distinct layers
Perimetrium
Myometrium
Endometrium— governed by cyclical hormonal changes
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17. Fallopian Tubes Major section Four functions Infundibulum
Fingerlike projections called fimbriae capture the ovum (egg) as it is released from the ovary
Four functions
Passageway for sperm to meet the ovum, site of fertilization
Safe, nourishing environment for the ovum or zygote (fertilized ovum)
Means of transporting ovum or zygote to the corpus of the uterus
The fallopian tubes are the most common site for ectopic pregnancies.
What features (location and size) are associated with the occurrence?
Review the significance of untreated sexually transmitted infections on the fallopian tubes.
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18. Uterus (cont.) Cervix (neck or lower part of uterus)
Consists of cervical canal with an internal opening near uterine corpus (internal os)
Opening into vagina (external os)
Mucosal lining has four functions
Lubricates vagina
Acts as a bacteriostatic agent
Provides alkaline environment to shelter deposited sperm
Produces a mucus plug in cervical canal during pregnancy
The cervix provides a source of cells for the health care provider when performing a Pap test.
What is the importance of the cervix in maintaining pregnancies?
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19. Ovaries Almond-shaped Size of a walnut
Held in place by ovarian and uterine ligaments
Two functions
Production of hormones
Mainly estrogen and progesterone
Stimulate maturation of an ovum during each reproductive cycle
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20. Ovaries (cont.)
At birth, every female has all the ova that she will have throughout her reproductive years (around 2 million)
By adulthood, number is in the thousands
By climacteric (menopause), the ovum no longer respond to hormonal stimulation to mature
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21. Types of Female Pelves Gynecoid most favorable for vaginal delivery
Platypelloid is unfavorable for vaginal delivery
Gynecoid is the classic female pelvis.
Anthropoid is a long, narrow oval. Women can deliver vaginally, but the back of the fetus is likely to turn toward the pelvis.
The android pelvis is typical of male anatomy.
Platypelloid has a shortened anterior-posterior diameter and a flat, transverse oval shape.
Which pelvis shape is best suited for vaginal birth? Gynecoid
Which shape is least suited for a vaginal birth? Platypelloid
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22. Functions of the Bony Pelvis
Form the birth passageway
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23. True and False Pelves Separated by an imaginary line False pelvis
Supports the enlarging uterus
Guides fetus into true pelvis
True pelvis
Dictates the bony limits of the birth canal
The external size of the pelvis does not define the adequacy or size of the opening or shape of the internal pelvic diameter.
Discuss the myth about the size of maternal hips being an indicator for vaginal delivery.
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24. Measurements of the Pelvic Inlet
Diagonal conjugate
Assessed during a manual exam
Obstetric conjugate
Determines if the fetus can pass through the birth canal
Transverse diameter
Determines the inlet’s shape
During pregnancy, the health care provider will make inferences about the adequacy of the mother’s pelvic opening.
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25. Important Pelvic Inlet Diameters
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26. Pelvic Outlet Coccyx can move or break during passage of fetal head
Immobile coccyx can decrease the size of the pelvic outlet
Can make vaginal birth difficult
Adequate pelvic measurements are essential for successful vaginal birth
In addition to pelvic size, what other phenomena can hinder a woman’s pelvic size and ability to deliver vaginally?
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27. Breasts
Using a pointer, review the primary structures and functions of the female breast.
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28. Breasts (cont.) Accessory organs of reproduction Montgomery’s glands
Produce milk after birth
Provides nourishment for the infant
Provides maternal antibodies to infant
Montgomery’s glands
Small sebaceous glands
Secrete a substance to lubricate and protect breasts during lactation
Breast size does not play a factor in the ability of the glands to produce milk.
Discuss the ability of a woman to breastfeed after a breast augmentation or reduction.
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29. Reproductive and Menstruation Cycle
Cycle consists of regular changes in secretions of the anterior pituitary gland, ovary, and endometrial lining of uterus
FSH and LH stimulate maturation of ovarian follicle
Maturing ovum and corpus luteum produce increased amount of estrogen and progesterone
Surge of LH stimulates final maturation
Release of ovum
The age of menstrual onset is younger today than in previous generations.
Review variables that are credited with this occurrence.
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30. Reproduction and Menstruation Cycle
Patient Teaching
Fibrinolysis- responsible for the prevention of clotting
Menses occurs when there is shedding of the endometrium
Menses during the first six months are irregular and not heavy flow