REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
ANATOMY OF MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
• The male reproductive system includes the testes, scrotum, spermatic ducts, male accessory glands,
and penis. All these organs work together to produce sperms, the male gamete, male sex hormones and
other components of semen.
1.Penis: It is the male external genitalia. It involves three cylindrical spaces of erectile tissue. The penis becomes
rigid when these spaces are filled with blood. The tissues help in the erection of the penis and facilitate
insemination. The foreskin covers the enlarged end of the penis called glans penis.
2.Scrotum: It is a sac of thick skin that protects and surrounds the testes.
3.Testis: A pair of testes are present in humans. Testes are present outside the body in a pouch called the scrotum.
The two primary functions of tests are producing male sex hormone and sperms. Each testis contains about 250
testicular lobules or compartments.
Sperms are produced in the seminiferous tubules. Each testicular lobule contains one to three seminiferous
tubules. Seminiferous tubules are lined by two types of cells:
• Spermatogonia– They undergo spermatogenesis to produce sperm.
• Sertoli cells – They provide nutrition to germ cells.
Leydig cells or interstitial cells are present outside the seminiferous tubules in the interstitial spaces. They
secrete male sex hormones or androgens, e.g. testosterone.
4.Epididymis: The epididymis is a long, coiled tube that rests on the back of each testicle. It carries and stores
the sperm cells that your testicles create. The epididymis also brings the sperm to maturity — the sperm that
emerge from the testicles are immature and incapable of fertilization
5.Internel organs of male reproductive system:
• Vas deferens: The vas deferens is a long, muscular tube that travels from the epididymis into the pelvic
cavity, just behind the urinary bladder. The vas deferens transports mature sperm to the urethra in
preparation for ejaculation.
• Ejaculatory ducts: Each testicle has a vas deferens that joins with seminal vesicle ducts to form
ejaculatory ducts. The ejaculatory ducts move through your prostate, where they collect fluid to add to
semen. They empty into your urethra.
• Urethra: It is a tube-like structure that connects to the urinary bladder from penis
6.Male accessory glands:
• Prostate gland: The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that rests below your bladder, in front of your
rectum. The prostate adds additional fluid to ejaculate, which helps nourish and move sperm.
• Bulbourethral or Cowper’s Gland: The Cowper’s glands are pea-sized structures on the sides of
your urethra, just below your prostate. They create a clear, slippery fluid that empties directly into the
urethra. This fluid lubricates the urethra and neutralizes any acids that may remain from your pee.
• Seminal Vesicles: The seminal vesicles are glands that are present behind the urinary bladder. Seminal
vesicles make up to 80% of your ejaculatory fluid, including fructose. Fructose is an energy source for
sperm and helps them move (motility).
ANATOMY OF FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
1.Ovaries: Ovaries are small, oval-shaped glands that are located on either side of your uterus. Ovaries act as
the main female sex organs that produce the female gamete and various hormones. Each ovaries are situated
on both the side of the lower abdomen. Each ovaries measures about 3 to 4cm in length and 1cm in thick and
contain thousands of developing egg. The ovary is surrounded by germinal epithelium below which is a layer of
tunica albuginea. The next inner layer is the ovarian stroma and is divided into two zones – outer cortex and the
inner medulla.
2.Uterus: A uterus is also called the womb. It is a muscular pear-shaped organ that holds the fetus during
pregnancy. The walls of the uterus consist of three layers- the inner glandular layer, the middle thick layer, and
the outer thin layer. These three layers are maintained by ligaments which are attached to the pelvic wall which
then opens into the vagina from a narrow cervix.
3.Fallopia tube: Fallopian tubes are a pair of muscular narrow tubes and funnel-shaped structures, extend
from the right and left of the superior corners of the uterus to the edge of the ovaries. Each fallopian tube is
covered by cilia that functions by carrying the ovum to the uterus.
4.Vagina: The vagina is a muscular and elastic tube that connects the cervix to the external body. It functions
as the receptacle for the penis in sexual intercourse and delivers sperm to the fallopian tubes and uterus. It’s lined
with mucous membranes that help keep it moist. It also acts as a birth canal by expanding to allow delivery of the
fetus during childbirth.
5.Cervix: Your cervix is the lowest part of your uterus. A hole in the middle allows sperm to enter and
menstrual blood to exit. Your cervix opens (dilates) to allow a baby to come out during a vaginal childbirth.
Internal female reproductive system:
1.Labia majora: Your labia majora (“large lips”) enclose and protect the other external reproductive organs.
During puberty, hair growth occurs on the skin of the labia majora, which also contain sweat and oil-secreting
glands.
2.Labia minora: Your labia minora (“small lips”) can have a variety of sizes and shapes. They lie just inside
your labia majora, and surround the opening to your vagina and urethra.
3.Cliotoris: Clitoris is a small, sensitive protrusion covered by a fold of skin called the prepuce and is very
sensitive to stimulation.
4. Hymen: Your hymen is a piece of tissue covering part of your vaginal opening. It’s formed during development
and present during birth.
PHYSIOLOGY OF MENSTRUATION:
The cycle of changes occur in women every month such as discharge of blood or mucous from vagina that last
for 5-6 days positively for pregnancy is called the menstrual cycle or menstruation.
The average menstrual cycle takes about 28 days and occurs in phases. These phases include
• The follicular phase (the egg develops).
• The ovulatory phase (release of the egg).
• The luteal phase (hormone levels decrease if the egg doesn’t implant).
There are four major hormones (chemicals that stimulate or regulate the activity of cells or organs) involved in
the menstrual cycle. These hormones include:
• Follicle-stimulating hormone.
• Luteinizing hormone.
• Estrogen.
• Progesterone.
Follicular phase:
This phase starts on the first day of your period. During the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, the following
events occur:
• Two hormones, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are released from your
brain and travel in your blood to your ovaries.
• The hormones stimulate the growth of about 15 to 20 eggs in your ovaries, each in its own “shell,” called
a follicle.
• These hormones (FSH and LH) also trigger an increase in the production of the hormone estrogen.
• As estrogen levels rise, like a switch, it turns off the production of follicle-stimulating hormone. This
careful balance of hormones allows the body to limit the number of follicles that will prepare eggs to be
released.
• As the follicular phase progresses, one follicle in one ovary becomes dominant and continues to mature.
This dominant follicle suppresses all of the other follicles in the group. As a result, they stop growing and
die. The dominant follicle continues to produce estrogen.
Ovulatory phase:
The ovulatory phase (ovulation) usually starts about 14 days after the follicular phase started (the exact timing
varies). The ovulatory phase is the second phase of your menstrual cycle. Most people will have a menstrual
period 10 to 16 days after ovulation. During this phase, the following events occur:
• The rise in estrogen from the dominant follicle triggers a surge in the amount of luteinizing hormone (LH)
that your brain produces.
• This causes the dominant follicle to release its egg from the ovary.
• As the egg is released (a process called ovulation) it’s captured by finger-like projections on the end of
the fallopian tubes (fimbriae). The fimbriae sweep the egg into the fallopian tube.
• For one to five days prior to ovulation, many women or people AFAB will notice an increase in egg
white cervical mucus. This mucus is the vaginal discharge that helps to capture and nourish a sperm on its
way to meet the egg for fertilization.
Luteal phase:
The luteal phase begins right after ovulation and involves the following processes:
• Once it releases its egg, the empty ovarian follicle develops into a new structure called the corpus luteum.
• The corpus luteum secretes the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Progesterone prepares your uterus
for a fertilized egg to implant.
• If intercourse has taken place and sperm has fertilized the egg (conception), the fertilized egg (embryo)
will travel through your fallopian tube to implant in your uterus. This is how pregnancy begins.
• If the egg isn’t fertilized, it dissolves in your uterus. Not needed to support a pregnancy, the lining of your
uterus breaks down and sheds. This is when your period begins.
PREGNANCY:
Pregnancy occurs when the sperm fertilizes the egg and the zygote is form, and then the zygote is implanted in
the wall of uterus. As soon as the implantation takes place, the need for nourishment and care arises as the growth
of the zygote develops into an embryo which further grows into a baby.
The hormones involved in pregnancy/reproduction are as follows:
1. Estrogen:
• Development of secondary sexual characters at puberty.
• Thickening of uterine lining during proliferative phase
• Stimulaing ovulation
• Stimulate FSH and LH in first half of cycle
2. Progesterone:
• Support and enhance thickening of uterine lining
• Along with estrogen inhibits secretion of FSH and LH from anterior pituitary in second half of cycle.
3. Ganodotrophin:
• Acts on corpus luteum and stimulate secretion of progesterone and estrogen for first 3-4 months of
pregnancy.
Starting from the first day of last normal period, the pregnancy lasts for about 40 weeks. This time period is
generally grouped into three trimester each of about 12 weeks.
First Trimester (1 to 12 weeks):
• This first week is actually your mens menstrual period, your expeted date of birth is calculated from the
first day of your last period.
• From 4th weeks the baby’s forming various organs including the digestive system.
• From 5th week the baby’s brain, spinal, cord and heart begins to form, the arm and leg buds start
apperiang and the embryo is than half inch long.
• At 6 week,tThe baby is now known as an embryo. It is around 3 mm in length. By this stage, it is secreting
special hormones that prevent the mother from having a menstrual period.
• At 7th week The heart is beating. The embryo has developed its placenta and amniotic.
• At 8th week, the arm and legs grow longer and external body structures to form, heartbeat starts. Sex
organs begin to form and eyes moved forward on the face.
• At 9th week, the eyes, mouth and tongue are forming. Blood cells are being made.
• At 10th week, the embryo is now known as a fetus and is about 2.5 cm in length. All of the bodily organs
are formed. The brain is active.
• At 11th week, Teeth are budding inside the gums. The tiny heart is developing further.
• At 12th week, the co-ordinated movement of muscles with nerves together begins and the external sex
organs are clearly differentiated in ultrasonography and baby’s sex can be judged.
Second Trimester (13 to 28 weeks):
• At 16th week, the fetus is around 5inches in length. Eyelashes and eyebrows have appeared, and the tongue
has taste buds. Skeleton and skin begins to form.
• Between week 18-20th an ultrasound will be offered. This fetal morphology scan is to check for structural
abnormalities and position of placenta.
• At 24th week, the formation of red blood cells begins in the bonemarrow and lungs are formed.
Third Trimester (29 to 40 weeks):
• At 32nd weeks the bones are fully formed but are still soft. The movement of the body are quite strong:
especially the kicks are forceful.
• At 39th weeks the baby is considered as full term. The organs are ready to function on their own. The baby
may turn into head down position for birth.
PARTURITION:
• The pregnancy ends in parturition i.e giving birth to the baby.
• Parturition is expulsion or delivery of the fetus from the body of the maternal organism.
