Source: Principles of Anatomy and Physiology by Gerard J. Tortora / Bryan Derrickson pg.

1041-1069

Sexual reproduction is the process by which organisms produce offspring by making germ cells
called gametes
After the male gamete (sperm cell) unites with the female gamete (secondary oocyte)—an
event called fertilization

Organs of the Male Reproductive System

• It includes Testes,
• System of ducts - epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory ducts, and urethra
• Accessory sex glands- Seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands
• and several supporting structures, including Scrotum and the Penis.

1.The testes produce sperm and the male sex hormone testosterone.
2. The ducts transport, store, and assist in maturation of sperm.
3. The accessory sex glands secrete most of the liquid portion of semen.
4. The penis contains the urethra, a passageway for ejaculation of semen and excretion of urine.

Scrotum- Supporting structure for the testes

-consists of loose skin and underlying subcutaneous layer that hangs from the root (attached
portion) of the penis
Externally-
• Raphe- median ridge that separates scrotum into lateral portion
Internally-
• Scrotal Septum-divides the scrotum into two sacs, each containing a single testis
• Dartos Muscle- layer of smooth muscle beneath the skin of scrotum
• Cremaster Muscle- extensions of abdominal muscles into the scrotum

Testes- Paired oval glands in the scrotum. Male Gonads

 • Tunica Vaginalis- covers the testes
A collection of serous fluid in the tunica vaginalis is called a hydrocele. It may be caused
by injury to the testes or inflammation of the epididymis
• Tunica Albuginea-forming septa that divide the testis into a series of internal
compartments called lobules
• Seminiferous Tubules- where sperm are produced; Site of spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis-The process by which the seminiferous tubules of the testes produce sperm
Spermatogonia- most peripheral germ cells that divide through mitosis
Primary Spermatocytes- other daughter cells that divide by meiosis and become sperm cell
Secondary Spermatocytes- product of meiotic division
Spermatids- product of secondary meiotic division
Sperm cell/ spermatozoon- developed spermatid with a head, midpiece, and flagellum

Sperm
• Head-contains a nucleus with 23 highly condensed chromosomes.
Covering the anterior two-thirds of the nucleus is the Acrosome, a caplike vesicle filled with
enzymes that help a sperm to penetrate a secondary oocyte to bring about fertilization
• Tail- subdivided into 4 parts:
Neck- the constricted region just behind the head that contains centriole
Middle Piece- contains mitochondria
Principal Piece- longest portion of the tail
End Piece-is the terminal, tapering portion of the tail.

Ducts of the Testis

• Straight Tubules-discharge the sperm cells produced in the convoluted seminiferous tubule
into the rete testis.
• Rete Testis- network of ducts in the testis
• Efferent Ducts- delicate tubules that connect rete testis cavities with the head of the
epididymis
• Ductus Epididymis-store the sperms for maturation and transport it to vas deferens
Pressure generated by the fluid secreted by sustentacular cells pushes sperm and fluid along
the lumen of seminiferous tubules and then into a series of very short ducts called straight
tubules. The straight tubules lead to a network of ducts in the testis called the rete testis.
From the rete testis, sperm move into a series of coiled efferent ducts in the epididymis that
empty into a single tube called the ductus epididymis.
-head-larger, superior portion of the epididymis
-body-is the narrow midportion of the epididymis,
-tail- the smaller, inferior portion. At its distal end, the tail of the epididymis continues as
the ductus (vas) deferens.
The epididymis is the site of sperm maturation, the process by which sperm acquire
motility and the ability to fertilize an ovum. This occurs over a period of about 14 days.

• Ductus Deferens- emerges from the epididymis and ascends along the posterior side of the
testis
• Ampulla- dilated terminal portion of ductus deferens
Functionally, the ductus deferens conveys sperm during sexual arousal from the epididymis
toward the urethra by peristaltic contractions of its muscular coat. Like the epididymis, the
ductus deferens also can store sperm for several months. Any stored sperm that are not
ejaculated by that time are eventually reabsorbed.

• Spermatic Cord-is a supporting structure of the reproductive system that ascends out of the
scrotum. It consists of vas deferens, testicular artery and vein, autonomic nerves, lymphatic
vessel, and cremaster muscle
-Inguinal Canal-an oblique passageway in the anterior abdominal wall just superior and
parallel to the medial half of the inguinal ligament.
 -Deep Inguinal Ring-a slitlike opening in the aponeurosis of the transversus abdominis
muscle
- Superficial Inguinal Ring- a somewhat triangular opening in the aponeurosis of the
external oblique muscle
The term varicocele refers to a swelling in the scrotum due to a dilation of the veins that
drain the testes.

Ejaculatory Duct
 formed by the union of the duct from the seminal vesicle and the ampulla of the ductus
(vas) deferens
 They terminate in the prostatic urethra, where they eject sperm and seminal vesicle
secretions just before the release of semen from the urethra to the exterior

Urethra-shared terminal duct of the reproductive and urinary systems; it serves as a

passageway for both semen and urine
 Prostatic Urethra- 2–3 cm (1 in.)
-passes through the prostate gland
 Intermediate/Membranous Urethra- 1 cm (0.5 in.)
-passes through the floor of the pelvis
 Spongy Urethra-15–20 cm (6–8 in.)
-extends the length of the penis and open at its end

Accessory Sex Gland- secrete most of the liquid portion of semen

 Seminal Vesicles-convoluted pouch like structures, lying posterior to the base of the
urinary bladder and anterior to the rectum.
 Through the seminal vesicle ducts they secrete an alkaline, viscous fluid that contains
fructose (a monosaccharide sugar), prostaglandins, and clotting proteins that are
different from those in blood.
 Prostate- It is inferior to the urinary bladder and surrounds the prostatic urethra
The prostate secretes a milky, slightly acidic fluid (pH about 6.5) that contains several
substances. (1) Citric acid in prostatic fluid is used by sperm for ATP production via the
Krebs cycle. (2) Several proteolytic enzymes, such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA),
pepsinogen, lysozyme, amylase, and hyaluronidase, eventually break down the clotting
proteins from the seminal vesicles. (3) The function of the acid phosphatase secreted by
the prostate is unknown. (4) Seminalplasmin in prostatic fluid is an antibiotic that can
destroy bacteria.
 Bulbourethral Gland/Cowper’s Gland- They are located inferior to the prostate on
either side of the membranous urethra within the deep muscles of the perineum, and
their ducts open into the spongy urethra
During sexual arousal, the bulbourethral glands secrete an alkaline fluid into the urethra
that protects the passing sperm by neutralizing acids from urine in the urethra. They also
secrete mucus that lubricates the end of the penis and the lining of the urethra,
decreasing the number of sperm damaged during ejaculation. Some males release a
drop or two of this mucus upon sexual arousal and erection. The fluid does not contain
sperm cells.

Penis
 Corpora Cavernosa- two dorsolateral masses
 Corpus Spongiosum-midventral mass
 Glans Penis- acorn shaped region
 Corona- margin in the glans penis
The root of the penis is the attached portion. It consists of the bulb of the penis, the
expanded posterior continuation of the base of the corpus spongiosum penis, and the
 crura of the penis, the two separated and tapered portions of the corpora cavernosa
penis
 External Urethra Orifice- Spongy urethra that opens to the exterior
 Prepuce/foreskin- lose fold skin that covers the glans penis
-Circumcision (to cut around) is a surgical procedure in which part of or the entire
prepuce is removed.
-The weight of the penis is supported by two ligaments that are continuous with the
fascia of the penis. (1) The fundiform ligament arises from the inferior part of the linea
alba. (2) The suspensory ligament of the penis arises from the pubic symphysis
-Upon sexual stimulation, parasympathetic fibers from the sacral portion of the spinal
cord initiate and maintain an erection, the enlargement and stiffening of the penis.
The term priapism refers to a persistent and usually painful erection of the penis that
does not involve sexual desire or excitement.

Organs of the Female Reproductive System

 Include the ovaries (female gonads);
 the uterine (fallopian) tubes, or oviducts;
 the uterus;
 the vagina;
 and external organs, which are collectively called the vulva, or pudendum.
 The mammary glands.

Ovaries- female gonads

The ovaries produce:
 gametes, secondary oocytes that develop into mature ova (eggs) after fertilization, and
  hormones, including progesterone and estrogens (the female sex hormones), inhibin,
and relaxin

Ovaries- female gonads

 Broad Ligament- spreads out on both sides of the uterus and attaches to the ovaries
and uterine tubes
 Suspensory Ligament-extends from each ovary to the lateral body wall
 Ovarian Ligament-attaches the ovary to the superior margin of the uterus
 Mesovarium- folds of peritoneum
 Each ovary contains a hilum, the point of entrance and exit for blood vessels and nerves
along which the mesovarium is attached.

Histology of the Ovary

 Germinal epithelium- is a layer of simple epithelium (low cuboidal or squamous) that
covers the surface of the ovary
 Tunica albuginea- is a whitish capsule of dense irregular connective tissue located
immediately deep to the germinal epithelium
 Ovarian cortex- is a region just deep to the tunica albuginea.
 Ovarian medulla-consists of more loosely arranged connective tissue and contains
blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.
 Ovarian follicles- in the cortex and consist of oocytes in various stages of development,
plus the cells surrounding them
 Mature follicle- is a large, fluid filled follicle that is ready to rupture and expel its
secondary oocyte, a process known as ovulation
 Corpus luteum- contains the remnants of a mature follicle after ovulation.

Uterine Tubes- also called as fallopian tube or oviduct

-provide a route for sperm to reach an ovum and transport secondary oocytes and fertilized ova
from the ovaries to the uterus
 Infundibulum- funnel-shaped portion of each tube
 Fimbriae- a fringe of fingerlike projections at the end
 Ampulla- ampulla of the uterine tube is the widest, longest portion, making up about
the lateral two-thirds of its length
 Isthmus- Isthmus of the uterine tube is the more medial, short, narrow, thick-walled
portion that joins the uterus
Histologically, the uterine tubes are composed of three layers: mucosa, muscularis, and serosa

Uterus (womb) -serves as part of the pathway for sperm deposited in the vagina to reach the
uterine tubes. It is also the site of implantation of a fertilized ovum, development of the fetus
during pregnancy, and labor.
-Anatomical subdivision of Uterus:
 Fundus-a dome shaped portion superior to the uterine tubes
 Body-a tapering central portion
 Cervix- inferior narrow portion
 Uterine Cavity & Cervical Canal-interior of the body of the uterus and the interior of the
cervix
 The cervical canal opens into the uterine cavity at the internal os and into the vagina at
the external os

Histology of the Uterus

 Perimetrium- outer layer; serous layer of the uterus formed from visceral peritoneum
 Myometrium- middle layer; muscular layer that accounts for the bulk of the uterine wall
 Endometrium- innermost layer; consists of simple columnar epithelial cells

Cervical Mucus-The secretory cells of the mucosa of the cervix produce a secretion called
cervical mucus
Capacitation- a series of functional changes that sperm undergo in the female reproductive
tract before they are able to fertilize a secondary oocyte.

Vagina- it is the receptacle for the penis during sexual intercourse, the outlet for menstrual
flow, and the passageway for childbirth.
 Fornix- A recess called the fornix ( arch or vault) surrounds the vaginal attachment to
the cervix.
 Hymen- A thin fold of vascularized mucous membrane, forms a border around and
partially closes the inferior end of the vaginal opening to the exterior

Vulva-refers to the external genitals of the female

 Mons pubis- an elevation of adipose tissue covered by skin and coarse pubic hair that
cushions the pubic symphysis
 Labia majora- contain an abundance of adipose tissue, sebaceous glands, and apocrine
sudoriferous glands.
 Labia minora-devoid of pubic hair and fat and have few sudoriferous glands, but they do
contain many sebaceous glands.

Vulva
 Clitoris- is a small cylindrical mass composed of two small erectile bodies
 Vestibule- region between the labia minora
 Vaginal Orifice- the opening of the vagina to the exterior, occupies the greater portion
of the vestibule and is bordered by the hymen
 External urethral orifice- the opening of the urethra to the exterior
 Paraurethral gland- These mucus-secreting glands are embedded in the wall of the
urethra
 Greater vestibular glands-which open by ducts into a groove between the hymen and
labia minora
  Bulb of vestibule-consists of two elongated masses of erectile tissue just deep to the
labia on either side of the vaginal orifice

Mammary Glands
 Breast-is a hemispheric projection of variable size anterior to the pectoralis major and
serratus anterior muscles
 Nipple- a pigmented projection
 Lactiferous Ducts- series of closely spaced openings of ducts
 Areola-The circular pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple
 Suspensory ligament of breast- Strands of connective tissue and run between the skin
and fascia and support the breast

Mammary Glands-a modified sudoriferous (sweat) gland that produces milk

 Lobe-A mammary gland consists of 15 to 20 lobes, or compartments, separated by a
variable amount of adipose tissue.
 Lobules- small compartments in the lobe
 Alveoli- composed of grapelike clusters of milk-secreting gland