INTRODUCTION TO THE

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 Terminal Learning Objective

IDENTIFY, LOCATE, AND DESCRIBE

THE STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS
OF THE ORGANS ASSOCIATED
WITH THE MALE AND FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 Enabling Learning Obcective

A. IDENTIFY THE SRUCTURES AND

FUNCTIONS OF THE MALE
INTERNAL REPRODUCTIVE
ORGANS
B. IDENTIFY THE SRUCTURES AND
FUNCTIONS OF THE MALE
EXTERNAL REPRODUCTIVE
ORGANS
 Enabling Learning Obcective

A. IDENTIFY THE SRUCTURES AND

FUNCTIONS OF THE FEMALE
INTERNAL REPRODUCTIVE
ORGANS
B. IDENTIFY THE SRUCTURES AND
FUNCTIONS OF THE FEMALE
EXTERNAL REPRODUCTIVE
ORGANS
 Enabling Learning Obcective

E. IDENTIFY THE SRUCTURES AND

FUNCTIONS OF THE MAMMARY
GLANDS
IDENTIFY THE STRUCTURE
AND FUNCTIONS OF THE
MALE REPRODUCTIVE
ORGANS
 MALE INTERNAL
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
 Testes
 Epididymis
 Vas Deferens
 Seminal Vesicle
 Ejaculatory Duct
 Prostate Gland
 Bulbourethral Glands
OVERVIEW
 Testes

 Structure
* paired, bilateral ovoid shaped, 5 cm long
and 3 cm in diameter
* suspended by the spermatic cord,
contained within a sac-like structure called
the scrotum
 Testes

 Function
* production of sperm

* production of testosterone
 Epididymis

 Structure
* tightly coiled tube that emerges from top
of each testis, descends along its
posterior surface and leads into vas
deferens

 Function
* stores sperm cells until they mature
 Vas Deferens
 Structure
* muscular tube about 45 cm long and passes
along the medial side of the testis, through the
inguinal canal into abdominal cavity
* ends behind urinary bladder and joins duct
from seminal vesicle to form ejaculatory duct

 Function
* transports sperm
Vas Deferens
 Seminal Vesicle

 Structure
* convoluted, sac-like structure, 5 cm
long attached to each vas deferens at
base of the bladder
 Function

* secretes slightly alkaline fluid

consisting of fructose and other
nutrients for sperm cells
Seminal Vesicle
 Ejaculatory duct

 Structure
* short tube beginning at seminal vesicle
and ending in the prostate gland

Function
* transport sperm and seminal fluid to
urethra
 Prostate gland

 Structure
* prostate gland is chestnut shaped structure that
surrounds beginning of urethra just below the
urinary bladder

Function
* secretes thin, milky, alkaline fluid which
neutralizes semen
* sperm motility and neutralizes acidic
secretions of the vagina
 Bulbourethral glands

 Structure
* 2 small structures located below the prostate
gland and enclosed by fibers of external urethral
sphincter muscle

 Function
* secretes mucus – like fluid, partly lubricates the
end of penis in preparation for intercourse
 QUESTIONS

 What is the function of the Vas Deferens?

to transport sperm

 What is the function of the Epididymis?

stores sperm cells until they mature
IDENTIFY THE STRUCTURES
AND FUNCTIONS OF THE
MALE EXTERNAL
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
 Scrotum

 Structure
* pouch of skin and subcutaneous tissue,
hangs from the lower abdominal region
behind the penis
* subdivided into 2 separate chambers by
a medial septum
* each chamber encloses a testis
 Scrotum

 Function
* provides a cooler home for the testes in
order to assure sperm survival

NOTE:
Sperm need to develop in a region that is
2 – 3 degrees lower than body
temperature
 Penis

 Structure
* cylindrical in shape, shaft is composed
of 3 columns of erectile tissue
* Corpora cavernosa- pair of dorsally
located cylinders of erectile tissue
* Corpora spongiosum- single cylinder
of erectile tissue, surrounds the urethra and
forms the glans penis
 Penis

 Function
* conveys urine and semen through the
urethra, specialized to become erect for
insertion into the vagina during sexual
intercourse
IDENTIFY THE STRUCTURES
AND FUNCTIONS OF THE
FEMALE INTERNAL
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
Overview
 Ovaries

 Structure
* solid, ovoid shaped structures, 3.5 cm
long and 1 cm thick
* subdivided into 2 sections – inner
medulla and outer cortex
Medulla – composed of loose connective
tissue, contains blood vessels, lymphatic
vessels, and nerves
 Ovaries

 Structure (cont’d.)
Cortex – composed of compact tissue,
contains tiny cell masses called ovarian
follicles, covered by cuboidal epithelium
 Location

* lie bilaterally on the wall of the pelvic

cavity, one on each side of the uterus
 Ovaries

 Function
* Primary organs are the ovaries which
produce the female sex cell ( egg cells) and
sex hormones
 Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes

 Structure
* each tube extends laterally from the
uterus to each ovary
* forms a funnel shaped region near the
ovary called the infundibulum
* infundibulum is surrounded by fringe of
finger – like projections called fimbrae,
one fimbrae is attached to the lateral end of
the ovary
 Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes

 Function
* after ovulation the discharged ovum first enters
abdominal cavity, egg cell assisted into the
uterine tube by wavelike movement of the fimbrae
and beating of the cilia on their surface and on
wall of the tube
* these cilia along with peristaltic contractions of
its wall move the egg cell on to the uterus
 Uterus

 Structure
* muscular, hollow, pear shaped organ
* body – upper 2/3 of the uterus
* fundus – portion of body superior to
the fallopian tubes
* cervix – tubular, narrow, inferior 1/3
of uterus extending into the upper
portion of the vagina
 Uterus

 Structure ( cont’d.)
* Uterine wall has 3 layers:
endometrium
myometrium
perimetrium
 Vagina
 Structure
* fibromuscular tube, extends from uterus to
the outside of the body- consists of
mucousal, muscular, and fibrous layers

 Function
* receives the erect penis during intercourse,
conveys uterine secretions, transports offspring
during birth
 QUESTIONS

What are the 3 layers of the uterine wall?

 Endometrium
 Myometrium
 Perimetrium

What are the 2 sections the ovaries are subdivided

into?
 Medulla
 Cortex
IDENTIFY THE STRUCTURES
AND FUNCTIONS OF THE
FEMALE EXTERNAL
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
 Labia Majora

 Structure
* rounded folds and fatty tissue and
muscle covered by skin
* anterior ends form a rounded, fatty
elevation over symphysis pubis ,
known as the mons pubis
 Function
* enclose and protect other external
organs
 Labia Minora

 Structure
* flattened, longitudinal folds in the
cleft of the labia majora

 Function
* protect the openings of the vagina and
urethra
 Clitoris

 Structure

*small projection at the anterior

end of the vulva
* composed of erectile tissue
 Function

*sexual arousal
 Vestibule
 Structure
* space between the labia majora

 Function
* houses the vaginal orifice, urethral
and vestibular glands which secrete mucus
into the vestibule during sexual stimulation
 QUESTIONS

What is the function of the clitoris?

sexual arousal

What is the function of the Labia Majora?

enclose and protect other external organs
IDENTIFY THE STRUCTURES
AND FUNCTIONS OF THE
MAMMARY GLANDS
 Mammary Glands
 Structure
* located in subcutaneous tissue of the anterior
thorax, within the breasts, overlying the
pectoralis major muscle
* composed of lobes separated by dense
connective and adipose tissue,lactiferous ducts
that exit the nipple
* nipple surrounded by pigmented skin
called the areola
 Mammary Glands
 Function
* mammary glands specialized to secrete
milk following pregnancy
 QUESTIONS

What is the function of the mammary glands?

to secrete milk following pregnancy

The pigment surrounding the nipple is

called ?
the areola
 REVIEW

 MALE INTERNAL
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
 MALE EXTRENAL
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
 FEMALE INTERNAL
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
 REVIEW (CONT’D)

 FEMALE EXTERNAL
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
 MAMMARY GLANDS