This slideshow is intended for students in Mr. Hildebrandt's anatomy & physiology classes.

1. Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology
The Reproductive System
Anatomy & Physiology
Mr. Hildebrandt

2. Reproductive System Functions
• Ensure the continuation
of the human species
• Designed to produce, store
& transport gametes
(sex cells).
• Gonads (sex organs) carry out meiosis
to produce gametes:
• Testis – Male gonads produce sperm
• Ovaries – Female gonads that produce
eggs

3. Reproductive System Development
• Sexual Dimorphism (differentiation)
begins soon after fertilization
• Dependant upon the development of
endocrine & urinary systems
• Puberty marks reproductive maturity
• Gamete production slows when there
is a reduction in sex hormones:
• Males – Andropause
• Females - Menopause

4. Male External Genitalia
• Scrotum: divided sac that maintains testes
at 3°C lower than normal body temperature to
protect sperm viability
• Penis:
• Shaft: contains three
areas of erectile tissue
• Glans penis (enlarged tip)
• Prepuce (foreskin)
• Folded cuff of skin around proximal end
• Often removed by circumcision

5. Male Gamete Production
• Spermatogenesis
(sperm production)
begins in the testis and
takes 64-72 days
• Each lobule of the
testis contains 1-4
seminiferous tubules
• Interstitial cells in testis
produce androgens
such as testosterone

6. Sperm Cell – The male gamete
• The only
human
flagellated cell
• DNA is found
in the head
• Are produced
from puberty
until death

7. Male Reproductive System
• Testis – male gonad
• Epididymis
• Ductus (vas) deferens
• Seminal vesicles
• Prostate gland
• Bulbourethral
(Cowper’s) gland
• Urethra

8. Semen – designed to survive the
female reproductive tract
• Mixture of sperm and accessory gland
secretions
• Advantages of additive secretions:
• Fructose provides energy for sperm cells
• Alkalinity of semen helps neutralize the
acidic environment of vagina
• Semen inhibits bacterial multiplication
• Elements of semen enhance sperm motility

9. Male Reproductive System

10. Female External Genitalia
• Vaginal
orifice
• Vestibule
• Clitoris
• Labia majora
• Labia minora

11. Female Gamete Production
• Oogenesis (egg production) takes place
in the ovaries
• The total supply of eggs
are present at birth
• Ability to release eggs
begins at puberty
• Reproductive ability
ends at menopause
• Oocytes (female gamete) are matured
in developing ovarian follicles

12. Ovarian Follicle Stages
• Primary follicle – contains an immature
oocyte
• Graafian (vesicular) follicle – growing
follicle with a maturing oocyte
• Ovulation – when the egg is mature the
follicle ruptures
• Occurs about every 28
days
• Ruptured follicle transforms
into corpus luteum

13. Female Reproductive System
• Ovaries
• Fallopian
tubes
• Uterus
• Cervix
• Vaginal
canal

14. Female Reproductive System

15. Menstrual (Uterine) Cycle
• Pituitary gland secretes follicle stimulating
hormone (FSH) into bloodstream.
• Ovaries recognize FSH & produce
a follicle (egg & supportive cells).
• Follicle secretes estrogen into
bloodstream.
• Estrogen leads is recognized by:
• Pituitary gland which stops secreting FSH
• Uterus which begins to thicken its lining
• Pituitary gland now secretes lutenizing
hormone (LH) into bloodstream.

16. More of the Menstrual Cycle
• The ovary recognizes LH and releases an
ovum – ovulation.
• Supportive cells left behind in the ovary (now
called the corpus luteum) secrete
progesterone into the bloodstream.
• Progesterone is recognized by:
• Pituitary gland which stops secreting LH
• Uterus which rapidly thickens its lining
• If no fertilization occurs, corpus luteum
breaks down & stops making progesterone
• Without progesterone, the extra uterine lining
is shed - menstruation

17. Hormonal Control of the Ovarian and Uterine
Cycles

18. Sexual Reproduction
• Requires sexual dimorphism
• A certain amount of arousal is necessary
• Copulation is the transfer of sperm to
the female reproductive tract
• Fertilization takes place in the female
fallopian tubes
• Embryo implants in the female uterus
• Embryogenesis is comprised of the
23 Carnegie stages of development

19. Human Fertilization
• The oocyte is viable for 12 to
24 hours after ovulation
• Sperm are viable for 12 to 48
hours after ejaculation
• Sperm cells must make their
way to the uterine tube for
fertilization to be possible
• The membrane of the oocyte
does not permit a second
sperm head to enter

20. Human Fertilization

21. Childbirth (Partition)
• Labor – the series of events that expel
the infant from the uterus
• Initiation of labor:
• Estrogen levels rise
• Uterine contractions begin
• The placenta releases
prostaglandins
• Oxytocin is released by the
pituitary
• These hormones produce
contractions

22. Human Mammary Glands
• Modified sweat glands:
• Alveolar glands – clusters
of milk producing glands
within lobules
• Lactiferous ducts – connect
alveolar glands to nipple
• Present in both sexes, but
only function in females
• Stimulated by sex
hormones (mostly
estrogens) to increase
in size