Anatomy 1352 - Unit 10: The Reproductive Systems

Overview

• Covers chapters 24 and 25
• Focus on male and female reproductive systems
  • Male system (less complex) covered first
  • Female system to follow

Male Reproductive System

Key Terminology

• Bano: Refers to the glands of the penis
• Crypto: Hidden
  • e.g., Cryptosporidium - undescended testicles
• Epididymo: Epididymis, part of the reproductive 'plumbing'
• Testo/Testiculo: Testes/testicles
• Orco/Orcho/Orchido: Related to the testes
  • e.g., Orchitis - inflammation of the testes
• Spermato: Sperm
  • Spermia: Pertains to sperm
  • Side: To kill (e.g., spermicide)
• Vas: Refers to vas deferens
• Vesiculo: Refers to seminal vesicles

Functions of the Male Reproductive System

• Production of androgens (male hormones)
• Production and delivery of sperm

Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System

Testes (Testicles)

• Male gonads
• Produce sperm and testosterone
• Found within the scrotum for temperature regulation
• Spermatic Cord: Contains testicular artery, veins, lymphatic vessels, nerves, and vas deferens

Scrotum

• Houses the testes
• Contains muscles (dartos and cremaster) for temperature regulation

Tubular Structures

• Vas Deferens: Transports sperm from epididymis to ejaculatory ducts
• Ejaculatory Duct: Short duct merging vas deferens with seminal vesicles
• Urethra: Passage for urine and sperm

Accessory Glands

• Seminal Vesicles: Produce alkaline fluid with fructose and prostaglandins, 60% of semen volume
• Prostate Gland: Produces fluid with citric acid and proteolytic enzymes
  • PSA: Prostate-specific antigen
• Bulbourethral Glands: Produce pre-ejaculatory fluid for lubrication

Spermatogenesis

• Driven by LH and FSH
  • FSH: Stimulates spermatogenesis
  • LH: Stimulates testosterone production
• Process involves meiosis, reducing chromosome number from 46 to 23

Testosterone

• Responsible for male characteristics and sperm production
• Peaks at age 25, decreases slowly

Sperm Structure

• Head: Contains nucleus and acrosome
• Midpiece: Packed with mitochondria for ATP production
• Tail: Flagellum for movement

Pathway of Sperm

1. Produced in seminiferous tubules
2. Stored in epididymis
3. Transported through vas deferens
4. Merges with seminal vesicles in ejaculatory duct
5. Passes through prostate and urethra

Procedures

• Vasectomy: Removal of a section of vas deferens for sterilization

Delivery System

• Penis: Organ for delivery of sperm
  • Corpora Cavernosa and Corpus Spongiosum: Erectile tissues

Function of Semen

• Contains sperm and fluid from seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands
• Normal volume: 2-5 milliliters, with 50-150 million sperm/milliliter

This concludes the overview of the male reproductive system. Part two will cover the female reproductive system.