Chapter 1
The Reproductive
System
Dr. Areefa Al Bahri
Assistance professor
Nursing college- midwifery departmentIslamic university of Gaza
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
The importance of the reproductive system is the production of
off spring & continued existence of the genetic code.
The male reproductive system, like that of the female, consists
of those organs functioning to produce a new individual.
The male organs are specialized to produce and maintain the
male sex cells, or sperm; to transport them, along with
supporting fluids, to the female reproductive system; and to
secret the male hormone testosterone.
The Male reproductive organs include the two testes (Where the
sperm cells and testosterone are made), the penis, the scrotum,
and the Accessory organ (epididymis, vas deferens, seminal
vesicles, ejaculatory duct, urethra, bulbourethral glands, and
prostate gland).
The Reproductive System
 Gonads – primary sex organs
 Testes in males
 Ovaries in females
 Gonads produce gametes (sex cells) and
secrete hormones
 Sperm – male gametes
 Ova (eggs) – female gametes
Male Reproductive System
 Testes
 Duct system
 Epididymis
 Ductus deferens
 Urethra
Male Reproductive System
 Accessory organs
 Seminal vesicle
 Prostate gland
 Bulbourethral gland
 External genitalia
 Penis
 Scrotum
Testes
 Coverings of
the testes
 Tunica
albuginea –
capsule that
surrounds
each testis
Testes
 Coverings of
the testes
(continued)
 Septa –
extensions of
the capsule that
extend into the
testis and divide
it into lobules
Testes
 Each lobule contains one to four
seminiferous tubules
 Tightly coiled structures
 Function as sperm-forming factories
 Empty sperm into the rete testis
 Sperm travels through the rete testis to
the epididymis
 Interstitial cells produce androgens such
as testosterone
The functions of testes are:
 Spermatogenesis which is formation of mature male gametes by
seminiferous tubules (cells divide first by the process of mitosis).
 Secretion of hormone (testosterone) by interstitial cells.
Epididymis
 Comma-shaped, tightly coiled tube
 It is one of the ducts systems (they convey sperms to the
vas deferens)
 Functions to mature and store sperm cells (up to 30
days)
 Expels sperm with the contraction of muscles in the
epididymis walls to the vas deferens
 Maturation of the sperm which stays 1-3 weeks in this
segment.
 Secretion of a small part of the seminal fluid.
Vas deferens:
 It's the extension of the tail
of the epididymis.
 It passes up in the inguinal
canal to the top of the
urinary bladder, to join the
seminal duct, forming the
ejaculatory duct.
 Function:
 Ductal system connects the
epididymis with ejaculatory
duct.
 The storage time is about
30 days & the sperm will
not loose their fertility
power.
Ejaculatory duct:
 Both ducts are short
tubes.
 Pass through the prostate
gland to terminate in
urethra and they carry the
spermatozoa and the
seminal fluid.
 Each is formed of the
union of vas deferens &
seminal vesicle.
Accessory Reproductive Glands
Seminal vesicles:
They are two pouches, lies along
the lower part of the posterior
surface of the bladder, directly in
front of the rectum.
 Functions:
Secretion of an alkaline viscous
liquid component of the semen (it
accounts for 60% of semen
volume).
It contains fructose which is
considered an energy source for
sperm motility after ejaculation.
Contains alkaline prostaglandin to
help neutralize semen pH
Prostate gland:
Functions:
It secretes a thin, milky,
alkaline fluid that is rich in
zinc, citric acid, acid
phosphatase, and calcium
which accounts for 30% of
the seminal fluid.
Its alkalinity protects the
sperm from the acidity of
the male urethra & female
vagina.
Bulbourethral glands:
 Cowper's glands are small
peas in size & shape.
 They are just below the
prostate and around the
penile part of urethra.
 Functions:
 Secretion of an alkaline
fluid.
 Secretion of mucous which
is lubricant for urethra.
Supporting Structure
1. Scrotum:
provide the optimum temperature for
testes for proper spermatogenesis
2. Spermatic cord:
It's a fibrous covering of the vas deferens,
blood vessels, lymph vessels & nerves.
It extends from the top of the testis along
the inguinal canal, up to the internal
inguinal ring.
3. penis
The female reproductive system
produces the female reproductive cells
(the eggs, or ova and contains an organ
(uterus) in which development of the
fetus takes place.
The system includes

Ovaries
 Duct System
 Uterine tubes (fallopian tubes)
 Uterus
 Vagina
 External genitalia
Female
Reproductive
System
Female Reproductive System
Female pelvic
Types of pelvic
Function
• Allows movement of the
body, especially walking
and running.
• Helps in child bearing
• Protect the pelvic organ.
• Pelvic floor responsible for
voluntary control of
micturition and play an
important part in sexual
intercourse.
• Allows exit to the fetus
Ovaries
Both ovaries are nodular glands, like large almonds in
size & shape.
• Attached to the posterior surface of the broad ligament.
• The end of the uterine tube cup is over it without
actual attachment
Functions:
1. Oogenesis (egg production).
2. Endocrine function ovaries are the source of the
female sex hormones (estrogen & progesterone)
which are essential hormones in menstrual cycle &
pregnancy.
Uterus
It is centrally located in the pelvic cavity between the bladder
(anteriorly) and rectum (posteriorly).
In unmarried woman, the uterus is pear shaped, measures
approximately 7.5 cm length, 5 cm in width, and 2.5 cm in
thickness.
The upper part is called the body, the bulging upper part of the
body is called the fundus & the lower part is called the cervix
(neck).
Uterine wall
1. Endometrium: is the innermost layer
• It is composed of three layers, and of these, two are shed
with each menses.
2. Myometrium:
• It's the thick middle layer.
• The fundus has the thickest part of myometrium.
• It is composed of layers of smooth muscle that extend in
three directions—longitudinal, transverse, and oblique.
3. Parietal peritoneum:
• It's the outermost layer.
• It covers all the parts except the lower fourth of the
anterior surface & the cervix.
Uterine cavity:
• The cavity is small because of the thick wall.
• It's flat & triangular.
• The base is upward & its apex is downward, constitutes the
cervical internal os which opens into the cervical canal which
narrows on its lower end forming the external os which opens
into the vagina.
Functions of the uterus:
• Nutritional source
until the placental
develops.
• Provides a safe
environment that
protects /fetus
• Labor.
• Menstruation.
• Pregnancy site.
Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes
o Each one is about 10 cm long,
attached to the outer upper angle
of the uterus.
o The diameter of each tube is
approximately 6 mm.
o It consists of 3divisions:
o The isthmus: the closest part to
the uterus. Tubal ligation done
here.
o Ampulla: is the middle
fertilization takes place here.
o Infundibulum: Is the funnelshaped portion located at the
distal end of the fallopian tube.
Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes
 Receive the ovulated oocyte
 Provide a site for fertilization
 Attaches to the uterus
 Does not physically attach to the ovary
 Supported by the broad ligament
Vagina
– It's a collaps-able tube, 7-10 cm long.
– It presents between the bladder & urethra
(anteriorly) & the rectum (posteriorly).
– It connects the uterus with the perennial
opening.
Functions:
 Receives the sperms during the sexual intercourse.
 Birth canal.
 Transports tissue and blood during menses to the outside,
External Genitalia (Vulva)
 Mons pubis
 Fatty area
overlying the
pubic symphysis
 Covered with
pubic hair after
puberty
Figure 16.9
External Genitalia (Vulva)
 Labia – skin folds
 Labia majora
 Labia minora
Figure 16.9
Urinary meatus (urethral orifice):
is a small opening of the urethra, between clitoris & vaginal orifice.
Greater vestibular gland (bartholin's gland):
It's bean-shaped, one on each side of the vaginal orifice.
Each opens by a long duct in a space between labia minora &
the hymen and they secrete mucus which lubricates the vaginal
opening.
Hymen
A small portion of tissue surrounds the opening of the vagina.
Hymnal tissue does not completely cover or occlude the
vagina.
the hymen becomes widened, sometimes by tearing, which
may be accompanied by bleeding.
Breast
Breast
Breast tissue is formed of two major organs:
Mammary systems: which include :
Lactating glands: which are formed of distal alveoli, forming lobules, united to
form lobes, arranged in grape like clusters.
Ductal system: The ducts from the various lobules unite forming a single
lactiferous (milk carrying) duct for each lobe, each enlarges slightly before
reaching the nipple into small lactiferous sinuses, each duct terminates in a tiny
opening on the surface of the nipple
• Breast function:
• The function of the breast is lactation, the factors affecting milk
production are:
• Estrogen hormones promote the ductal growth.
• Progestrone stimulates the alveolar system.
• Prolactin stimulates milk secretion.
• Oxytocin stimulates milk ejection from the breast.
• Ovarian Cycle:
• Before birth, the ovarian tissue begins a meiosis division; it
reduces the number of chromosomes in the daughter cell
by half.
• When a child is born, her ovaries contain many primary
follicles, each contains an oocytes that have temporarily
suspended the meiotic process before it's complete, once
each month, on about the first day of menstruation, the
oocytes within many primary follicles resume meiosis, one
of them matures & migrates to the surface of the ovary, to
be expelled from the ruptured wall of the mature follicle
during ovulation.
Oogenesis
 The total supply of eggs are present at birth
 Ability to release eggs begins at puberty
 Reproductive ability ends at menopause
 Oocytes are matured in developing ovarian follicles
 Oogonia – female stem cells found in a developing fetus
 Oogonia undergo mitosis to produce primary oocytes
 Primary oocytes are surrounded by cells that form primary follicles in
the ovary
 Primary oocytes are inactive until puberty
 Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) causes some primary follicles to
mature
 Meiosis starts inside maturing follicle
 Meiosis is completed after ovulation only if sperm penetrates
Figure 16.10
Oogenesis
Ovarian Cycle:
• When a child is born, her ovaries contain many primary follicles,
• At puberty , the oocytes within many primary follicles resume meiosis, one
of them matures & migrates to the surface of the ovary, to be expelled from
the ruptured wall of the mature follicle during ovulation.
• Ovulation usually occurs 14 days before the next menstrual period begins.
• Immediately after ovulation, cells of the ruptured follicle enlarged &
transformed into a golden colored body which called corpus luteum.
• The corpus luteum remain for 7-8 days, & secrete high amount of
progesterone.Then the corpus luteum will be nonfunctioning white scar,
called corpus albicans which moves to the center of the ovary & finally
disappears.
Endometrial (menstrual) cycle:
• During menstruation, parts spongy layers of the endometrium slough off,
leaving denuded areas.
• After menstruation, this cell layer will proliferate causing the endometrium
to reach a thickness of 2-3 mm by the time of ovulation.
• A day before menstruation starts again, a drop in progesterone level causes
contraction of the muscle layer of the arteries producing endometrial
ischemia, leading to the death of the tissue, and sloughing of the
endometrium (bleeding).
menstrual cycle phases:
1. Menses: occurs on days 1-5 of a new cycle.
2. Postmenstrual phase described as " preovulatory phase" it starts from the 6th
to 13th day of a 28 days-cycle. This period is called estrogenic or follicular or
proliferative phase.
3. Ovulation: occurs on cycle day 14 in a 28- day cycle.
4. Premenstrual phase (postovulatory) between ovulation & the onset of
menses, it's secretory or luteal phase so progesterone will be secreted, it takes
from 14 days to 28 in a 28-day cycle.
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian and
Uterine Cycles
menses
Function estrogen during the post
menstrual phase
•
•
•
•
Proliferation of the endometrium cells.
Growth of the endometrial glands.
Increase in endometrium water content.
Increase in myometrial contraction.
Function progesterone during the
premenstrual phase
1. Increase secretion by endometrial glands.
2. Increase in the endometrium water content.
3. Decrease in myometrial contraction.