Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir

Bhutto
Medical University
Larkana

Reproductive
system

Aftab Ghouri
Lecturer
Benazir College of Nursing
 Definition
• an individual that produces eggs is female and one
that produces sperm is male.
• Y sex chromosome = male (XY)
• Lack of Y chromosome = female (XX)
 Overview
• the male serves to produce sperm and introduce them
into the female body. The female reproductive system
produces eggs, receives the sperm, provides a place
for the union of these gametes, harbors the fetus,
gives birth, and nourishes the offspring.
 Primary sex organs or gonads

Male Female
• Testes • Ovaries
 Secondary organs
Male Female
• Ducts • Uterine tubes
• Glands • Uterus
• Penis • Vagina
• Concerned with storage • Concerned with uniting
• Survival and the sperm and egg
• Conveyance of sperm • Harboring the fetus.
 Classification
Internal External
• Pelvic cavity (except for • Visible organs
male testes and
scrotum)
 Male reproductive system
• Consist of following,
1. 2 testes in scrotum
2. 2 epididymis
3. 2 deferent ducts (vas deferens)
4. 2 spermatic cords
5. 2 seminal vesicles
6. 2 ejaculatory ducts
7. 1 prostate gland
8. 1 penis
 Scrotum
• Pendulous pouch of deeply pigmented skin, fibrous
connective tissue containing testis and smooth
muscle.
• Skin sebaceous glands, sparse hair, rich sensory
innervation.
• It is divided into two compartments each of which
consist one testis, one epididymis and the testicular
end of a spermatic cord.
• It lies below the symphys is pubis, in front of the
upper parts of the thighs and behind the penis.
 Compartments
• Right and left compartments divided by median
septum. (prevent from infection)
• Septum marked a seam called the perineal raphe-
extends anteriorly along the ventral side of penis,
• Posteriorly anus
• Left testis is lower than right.
• Posteriorly scrotum contains spermatic cord- s bundle
of fibrous connective tissue containing ductus
deferens (sperm duct), blood and lymphatic vessels,
testicular nerves.
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• Scrotum skin continue across anterior-4 cm inguinal
canal-leads through muscles of groin.
• Emerges into pelvic cavity.
• Inferior entrance into inguinal canal called external
inguinal ring,
• Superior exit into pelvic cavity is internal inguinal
ring.
• Scrotum produce sperm at 35 C temperature.
• Three mechanisms for regulating the temperature of
the testes:
 Cremaster
• Internal abdominal oblique muscle that enmesh the
spermatic cord.
• When it is cold, cremaster contracts and draws the
testes closer to the body to keep them warm,
• Cremaster relaxes
 Dartos fascia
• Subcutaneous layer of smooth muscle.
• Contracts when it is cold.
• Scrotum becomes wrinkled
• Hold testes snugly against the warm body.
• Reduces the surface area of scrotum-reduce heat loos.
 Pampiniform plexus (PP)
• Network of veins from the testis that surround the
testicular artery in spermatic cord.
• Without P P, blood produce heat and inhibit sperm
production.
• Acting as a countercurrent heat exchanger
• Cold venous blood ascending the spermatic cord –
pelvic cavity.
 Testes
• Are reproductive glands and equivalent of the ovaries
in female.
• Endocrine and exocrine gland- produce sex hormone
and sperm.
• About 4.5 cm long, 2.5 cm wide and 3 cm thick and
are suspended in the scrotum by the spermatic cords.
• They are surrounded by three layers of tissue.
• Anterior and lateral surfaces covered by tunica
vaginalis.
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• Testis itself has a white fibrous capsule called tunica
albuginea.
• Connective tissue septa extend from the capsule into
the parenchyma
• Divide it into 250 to 300 wedge-shaped lobules.
• Each lobule contains 1 – 3 seminiferous tubules-
slender ducts up to 70cm long in which sperm
produced.
• Seminiferous tubules are clusters of interstitial
endocrine cells; source of testosterone
 The tunica vaginalis
• Double membrane, forming the outer covering of the
testes, down growth of the abdominal and pelvic
peritoneum.
• During early fetal life the testes develop in the lumber
region of the abdominal cavity just below the
kidneys.
• Then descend into the scrotum taking with them
coverings or peritoneum, blood and lymph vessels,
nerves and the deferent duct.
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• The peritoneum eventually surrounds the testes in
scrotum, becomes detached from the abdominal
peritoneum.
• Descent of the testes into scrotum should be complete
by the 8th month of the fetal life.
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• Seminiferous tubule narrow lumen thick germinal
epithelium- consists of several layers of germ cells in
process becoming sperm and
• Smaller number of tall nurse cells
• Protect germ cells and promote their development
• Germ cells nourished by nurse cells, removal of
waste, growth factors and other needs.
• Nurse cells secrete: androgen-binding protein and
inhibin.
 Nurse cell
• Shape: tree trunk whose roots spread out over the
basement membrane, forming the boundary of the tubule,
and whose thick trunk reaches to the tubule lumen.
• Tight junctions between adjacent nurse cells form blood-
testis barrier (BTB).
• Prevents antibodies and other large molecules in blood and
ICF from getting the germ cells.
• Germ cells different from other cells, otherwise be
attacked by immune system.
• BTB fail cause sterility.
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• Seminiferous tubules network called rete testis
• Embedded in capsule on posterior side of testis.
• Sperm partially mature in rete,
• Rete moved by flow of fluid secreted by nurse cells
and cilia on some rete cells.
• Testis supplied by testicular artery arises from
abdominal aorta below renal artery.
• Blood leaves veins by testicular vein.
• Testicular nerves: T10, T11 (spinal cord) sensory &
motor.
 The spermatic duct
• Sperm leave through series of spermatic ducts to
reach the urethra.
1. Efferent ductules: 12 small efferent ductules aris
from posterior side of testis and carry to epididylis.
2. Duct of the epididymis: epididymis site of sperm
maturation and storage.
• Head: superior clublike portion
• Long middle portion: body
• Slender Inferior end: tail
• 6 m (20ft) long, highly coiled, packed into
epididymis 7.5cm long.
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• Duct reabsorbs about 90% fluid secreted by testis.
• Mature at head and body of epididymis.
• 20 days they reach tail and stored.
• 40 – 60 days remain viable and reabsorbs after that.
 Ductus deferens
• The duct of the epididymis straightens out at the tail,
turns 180°, and becomes the ductus deferens, also
called the vas deferens.
• Muscular tube about 45 cm long and 2.5 mm
diameter.
• Passes upward through spermatic cord and inguinal
canal and enters the pelvic cavity.
• Turns medially and approaches urinary bladder.
• By passing bladder & ureter, duct turns downward
behind bladder and widens into a terminal ampulla.
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• Ductus deferens ends by uniting with duct of seminal
vesicle, a gland.
• Duct: narrow lumen, thick wall of smooth muscle
well innerverted by sympathetic nerve fibers.
 Ejaculatory duct
• Ductus deferens and duct of seminal vesicle meet,
form short (2cm) ejaculatory duct, passes through
the prostate and empties into the urethra.
• The ejaculatory duct is the last of spermatic ducts.
 Penis
• 18 cm long
• 3 regions
1. Prostatic, membranous, and spongy (penile) urethra.
• Serves both urinary and reproductive roles.
 The Accessory glands
• Seminal vesicles (seminal glands): pair of gland
posterior to urinary bladder.
• Seminal vesicle about 5cm long, connective tissue
and underlying layer of smooth muscle.
• Secretory portion is very convoluted duct numerous
branches that form complex labyrinth- empty into
ejaculatory duct.
 Prostate
• Size of walnut.
• Lies below the urinary bladder surrounds the urethra
and ejaculatory ducts
• Measures about 2 × 4 × 3 cm and aggregate 30-50
compound tubuloacinar glands enclosed in a single
fibrous capsule.
• Glands empty through about 20 pores in the urethral
wall.
• Consist of connective tissue and smooth muscle like
seminal vesicles.
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• Prostate constitute about 30% of semen
• Thin, milky secretion.
 Bulbourethral glands
• Near a dilated bulb at inner end of the penis.
• Brownish, spherical gland about 1 cm in diameter, 2.5
cm duct to urethra.
• Produce clear slippery fluid that lubricates the penis
head.
• Protects the sperm by neutralizing the acidity of
residual urine in the urethra.
 The penis
• Half internal root
• Half external root visible shaft and glans.
• Glans expended head at distal end
• External urethral orifice at tip
• penis 8-10 cm (3-4 inches) long
• 3 cm diameter
• Formed three cylindrical masses of erectile tissue and
involuntary muscle.
• The erectile tissue supported by fibrous tissue and
covered with skin and has a rich blood supply.
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• Two lateral columns called corpora cavernosa and the
column be wteen them, containing the urethral, is the
corpus spongiosum.
• Expanded into a triangular structure known as the
glans penis.
• Above the glans: fore skin, folded, forms a movable
double layer.
• Arterial blood by deep, dorsal and bulbar arteries of
penis. Branches from internal pudendal arteries
• Veins drain into internal pudendal and iliac veins.
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• Supplied by autonomic and somatic nerves.
• Parasympathetic stimulation leads to filling of spongy
erectile tissue with blood, caused by arteriolar
dilatation and veno constriction, it increase blood
flow into the penis and obstruct outflow.
 Ejaculation
• During ejaculation: spermatozoa are expelled from
the epididymis and pass through the deferent duct, the
ejaculatory duct and urethra.
• Semen propelled by powerful rhythmical contraction
of smooth muscle in walls of deferent duct;
• The muscular contractions are sympathetically
mediated.
• Seminal vesicles and prostate muscles contract.
 Continue
• Sperm comprise 10% of final ejaculate,
• Remainder being made up of seminal and prostatic
fluids,
• Added to sperm during male orgasm.
• Between 2 – 5ml of semen in normal ejaculate
• Contain about 40- 100 million spermatozoa per ml.
• If not ejaculated, sperm gradually lose their fertility
after several months and are reabsorbed by
epididymis.
Female reproductive
system
 Female reproduction
• Internal: ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus and vagina.
• External: clitoris, labia minora, and labia majora.
 Ovaries
• Gonads,
• Produce egg cells and sex hormones.
• Ovaries almond shape, arranged in ovarian fossa.
• Measures about 3 cm long, 1.5 cm wide and 1 cm
thick.
• Capsule called tunica albunginea,
• Interior: central medulla and outer cortex.
• Medulla: fibrous connective tissue with arteries and
veins.
• Cortex site of ovarian follicles.
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• Follicles: consist of one developing ovum surrounded by
numerous small follicular cells.
• Eggs are released by bursting of follicles. (ovulation)
• Medial pole of ovary attached to uterus by ovarian
ligaments.
• Lateral pole: to pelvic wall by suspensory ligament.
• Anterior margin: fix by peritoneal fold called
mesovarium.
• Ovarian artery
• Ovarian branch of uterine artery
• Ovarian veins, lymphatics, and nerves travels via
suspensory ligaments.
 The uterine tubes
• Also called oviducts or fallopian tubes
• 10 cm long canal, ovary to uterus.
• Distal end: tube flares into a trumpet- shaped
infundibulum with feathery projections called
fimbriae.
• Meddle and longest part is ampulla; near uterus, form
narrow isthmus.
• Uterine tube: enfolded in mesosalpinx; superior broad
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• Wall of uterine tube build up of smooth muscle.
• Its mucosa folded into longitudinal ridges and has
epithelium ciliated cells.
• Smaller number of secretory cells.
• Clia beat toward tu uterus with help of muscular
contractions of the tube.
• Convey egg in that direction.
 Uterus
• Thick muscular chamber opens into roof of vagina
• Tilts forward over urinary bladder.
• Pear shaped
• Superior curvature: fundus
• Mid-portion: body (corpus)
• Cylindrical inferior: cervix
• 7 cm from cervix to fundus, 4 cm wide, 2.5 cm thick.
• Lumen: rouhgly triangular, with two upper corners
openning into uterine tubes.
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• Lumen communicates with vagina by cervix canal.
• Superior opening in body: internal os,
• Opening in vagina: external os
• Canal contains cervical glands (secrete mucus)
• Walls: perimetrium (outer), myomertrium 1.25cm
(middle) and endometrium (inner).
• Myometrium function: labor contraction, expel fetus
• Function: harbor the fetus, nourish it and expel the
fetus at end of development.
 ligaments
• Support the organ
• Braod ligament: mesosalpinx and mesometrium
• Cardinal ligaments: cervix and superior part of
vagina
• Uterosacral ligaments: attaches posterior side of
uterus to sacrum.
• Round ligaments: arise from anterior surface of
uterus, passes through inguinal canals, & terminates
in lalia majora.
• Boold supply: uterine artery, arcuate artery, spiral
arteries
 Vagina
• Tube 8-10 cm long
• Wall thin but very distensible
• Outer adventia, middle muscularis and inner mucosa.
• Posteriorly tilt b/w urethra and rectum
• Urethra bound to its anterior wall.
• No glands, but lubricated by the seepage of serous
fluid through its walls (transudation) by mucus from
cervical glands above it.
• Beyond the cervix and forms blinded space: fornices
surround it.
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• Lower end: transverse friction ridges or vaginal rugae
• Contribute to both male and female stimulation during
intercourse.
• Vaginal orifice: mucosa folds inward and form a membrane:
hymen
• It stretches across the opening.
• Hymen has one or more openings to allow discharge of
menstural fluid.
• Vaginal wall simple cuboidal (childhood),
• Estrogen puberty transform it into stratified squamous
epithelium (metaplasia)
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• Epithelial cell: rich in glycogen
• Vaginal pH (3.5-4.0) inhibits the growth of pathogens
due to lactic acid nature.
• Mucosa also has antigen-presenting dendritic cells
• Helps in immunity at orifice
• But rout by which HIV can invade.
 External genitalia
• Occupy most of perineum
• Collectively called vulva or pudendum
• Include mons pubis, labia majora, and minora,
vaginal orifice and accessory glands and erectile
tissue.
• Mons pubis: anterior mound of adipose tissue
overlying the pubic symphysis, bearing pubis hair.
• Labia majora: fair of thick fold of skin, adipose
tissue inferior to mons, fissure b/w them is pudendal
celft, pubic hair (lateral).
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• Labia minora: Area enclosed by them called vestibule,
contains and vaginal orifice.
• Clitoris: structure like penis, no urinary role
• Work as sensory, sexual stimnulation, connective tissue.
• Partial covered by a hoodlike prepuce, where labia
minora meet.
• Deep to labia majora: subcutaneous erctile tissue called
vestibule bulbs
• Each side of vagina: pea-size greater vestibular
(bartholin) gland, open in lower vagina,
moist/lubrication.
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• Lesser vestibule glands: lubrication
The breast and mammary glands

• Areola: pigmented area around nipple

• Suspensory ligaments suspend breast from deep
fascia of pectoral muscles (aging)
• Mammary line is a thickened ridge of embryonic
tissue that extends from the axilla to groin.
 Breast
• Prolactin: from
pituitary gland,
stimnulate the
synthesis of milk,
• Oxytocin: from
posterior pituitary
gland stimulates milk
ejection.
 Lymphatic drainage
• Lymph nodes draining the
breast are located in the
axilla.
Oogenesis
 Life history of oogonia
• Fetus: oogonia divide to produce millions by mitosis
but most degenerate (atresia)
• Some develop into primary oocytes and stop in
prophase stage of meiosis I.
1. 200,00 to 2 million present at birth.
2. 40,000 remain at puberty but only 400 mature
during a women’s life.
• Each month, hormones cause meiosis I to resume in
several follicles so that meiosis II is reaches by
ovulation.
 Ovaries
• Each follicle consists of an immature egg called an
oocyte.
• Cells around the oocyte are called
 Follicle cells (one cell layer thick), stimulated to
mature by FSH from the pituitary gland.
 Granulosa cells: (more than one layer
 Thecal cells: cell in the ovarian stroma
• Thecal and granulosa cells work togather to produce
estrogen.
 Follicle development
• Primordial follicle: one layer of squamous like
follicle cells surrounds the oocyte.
• Primary follicle: two or more layers of cuboidal
granulosa cells enclose the oocyte.
• Secondary follicle: has a fluid-filled space between
granulosa cells that coalesces to form a cental antrum.
• Graafian follicle: secondary follicle at its most
mature.
• Corpus luteum: ruptured follicle after ovulation.
 Corpus luteum
• After ovulation, the remains
of the follicle are transformed
into a structure called corpus
luteum.
• If a pregnancy occurs, it
produces progestrone to
maintain the wall of the uterus
during the early period of
development.
 Corpus albicans
• If fertilization does not occur,
the corpus luteum will begin
to break down about 2 weeks
after ovulation.
• Degeneration occurs when
fibroblasts enter the corpus
luteum and a clump of scar
tissue forms called the
corpus albicans.
 References
• Tortora, J., Derrickson, B. (2006). Principles
of Anatomy and Physiology. (11th ED).

03/12/2025
USA: John Wisely & Sons , Inc.
• Anatomy and physiology: the unity of form
and function, Kenneth S. Saladin, eighth
edition.
• Ross, & Wilson. (2000) Anatomy &
Physiology in Health & Illness. Edinburgh:
Churchill, Eight Edition
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