ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

SEMINAL VESICLES
-

These are two convoluted pouches

along the lower portion of the posterior
surface of the bladder.

The seminal vesicles secrete a liquid

that is viscous and alkaline and has
high protein, sugar, and prostaglandin
content, which makes the sperm
increasingly motile.

EJACULATORY DUCTS
-

MALE INTERNAL STRUCTURES

EPIDIDYMIS
-

This is a tightly coiled tube that is

responsible for conducting the sperm
from the tubule to the vas deferens.

It has a length of approximately 20

feet long.

Some sperm are stored in the

epididymis, along with the semen.

The sperm takes an estimated 12 to 20

days of travel along the epididymis,
and a total of 64 days to reach
maturity.

PROSTATE GLAND
-

This is a chestnut-sized gland that is

situated below the bladder.

It secretes a thin, alkaline fluid that

adds protection to the sperm from
being immobilized by the low pH level
of the urethra.

The urethra passes through its center

like a doughnut.

BULBOURETHRAL GLANDS
-

Also called as Cowpers gland, these

glands also secrete alkaline fluid to
counteract the acidic environment in
the urethra.

These are two glands located at either

side of the prostate gland and seminal
vesicles and empty through the short
ducts towards the urethra.

Semen is a product of 60% from the

prostate gland, 30% from the seminal
vesicles, 5% from the epididymis, and
5% from the bulbourethral glands.

VAS DEFERENS
-

The function of the vas deferens is to

carry the sperm through the inguinal
canal from the epididymis into the
abdominal cavity where it will end at
the
seminal
vesicles
and
the
ejaculatory duct.
It is a hollow tube that is protected by
a thick fibrous coating and surrounded
by arteries and veins.

These ducts pass through the prostate

gland to join the seminal vesicles and
the urethra.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

URETHRA

and easily sit or do any muscular

activity.
PENIS

This structure passes through the

prostate gland towards the shaft and
glans penis.

The penis has three parts: two are

called the corpus cavernosa, and the
other is the corpus spongiosum.

It is a hollow tube from the base of the

bladder and lined with mucous
membrane.

It has a length of approximately 8

inches or 18 to 20 cm.

These erectile tissues also contain the

urethra, making the penis an outlet for
both
urinary
and
reproductive
functions.

Erection of the penis is stimulated by

the
parasympathetic
nerve
innervations, and the blood supply for
the penis is from the penile artery.

The glans, a sensitive, bulging ridge of

tissue, is located at the distal part of
the penis.

The prepuce, which is a retractable

casing of skin, protects the glans at
birth. It is also the part that is
surgically
removed
during
circumcision.

MALE EXTERNAL STRUCTURES

SCROTUM
-

The scrotum is responsible for the

support of the testes and it regulates
the temperature of the sperm.

It is a rugated, muscular, skin-covered

pouch over the perineum.

To promote the production and viability

of the sperm, the scrotum contracts
towards the body during a very cold
weather and relaxes away from the
body during a hot weather.

TESTES
-

In each scrotum lies two oval-shaped

glands called the testes.

These are 2 to 3 cm in width and are

encapsulated in a protective, white
fibrous capsule.

Several lobules are contained in each

testis, which also contains Leydigs
cells that produce testosterone and
seminiferous tubules that produce
spermatozoa.

In most men, one testis is slightly

lower than the other to prevent trauma

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM

FEMALE INTERNAL STRUCTURES

-

The ovaries are the ultimate life-maker

for the females.

For its physical structure, it has an

estimated length of 4 cm and width of
2 cm and is 1.5 cm thick. It appears to
be shaped like an almond. It looks
pitted, like a raisin, but is grayish white
in color.

It is located proximal to both sides of

the uterus at the lower abdomen.

It also has three divisions: the

protective layer of epithelium, the
cortex, and the central medulla.

FALLOPIAN TUBES
-

The fallopian tubes serve as the

pathway of the egg cells towards the
uterus.

It is a smooth, hollow tunnel that is

divided into four parts: the interstitial,
which is 1 cm in length; the isthmus,
which is2 cm in length; the ampulla,
which is 5 cm in length; and the
infundibular, which is 2 cm long and
shaped like a funnel.

The funnel has small hairs called the

fimbria that propel the ovum into the
fallopian tube.

The fallopian tube is lined with mucous

membrane, and underneath is the
connective tissue and the muscle
layer.

The muscle layer is responsible for the

peristaltic movements that propel the
ovum forward.

The distal ends of the fallopian tubes

are open, making a pathway for
conception to occur.

Ovaries
-

For its function, the ovaries produce,

mature, and discharge the egg cells or
ova.
Ovarian function is for the maturation
and maintenance of the secondary sex
characteristics in females.

UTERUS
-

The uterus is described as a hollow,

muscular, pear-shaped organ.

It is located at the lower pelvis, which

is posterior to the bladder and anterior
to the rectum.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The uterus has an estimated length of

5 to 7 cm and width of 5 cm. it is 2.5
cm deep in its widest part.

For
non-pregnant
women,
approximately 60g in weight.

Its function is to receive the ovum from

the fallopian tube and provide a place
for implantation and nourishment.

it

It has a covering of coarse, curly hairs,

the pubic hair.

It protects
trauma.

is

It also gives protection for the growing

fetus.
It is divided into three: the body, the
isthmus, and the cervix.
The body forms the bulk of the uterus,
being the uppermost part. This is also
the part that expands to accommodate
the growing fetus.
The isthmus is just a short connection
between the body and the cervix. This
is the portion that is cut during a
cesarean section.
The cervix lies halfway above
vagina, and the other half extends
the vagina. It has an internal
external cervical os, which is
opening into the cervical canal.

the
into
and
the

FEMALE EXTERNAL STRUCTURES

MONS VENERIS
-

The mons veneris is a pad of fat

tissues over the symphysis pubis.

pubic

bone

from

LABIA MINORA
-

The labia minora is a spread of two

connective tissue folds that are pinkish
in color.

The internal surface is composed of

mucous membrane and the external
surface is skin.

It contains sebaceous glands all over

the area.

LABIA MAJORA
-

Lateral to the labia minora are two

folds of fat tissue covered by loose
connective tissue and epithelium, the
labia majora.

Its function is to protect the external

genitalia and the distal urethra and
vagina from trauma.

It is covered in pubic hair that serves

as
additional
protection
against
harmful bacteria that may enter the
structure.

VESTIBULE
-

the

It is a smooth, flattened surface inside

the labia wherein the openings to the
urethra and the vagina arise.

CLITORIS
-

The clitoris is a small, circular organ of

erectile tissue at the front of the labia
minora.

The prepuce, a fold of skin, serves as

its covering.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

This is the center for sexual arousal

and pleasure for females because it is
highly
sensitive
to
touch
and
temperature.

FOURCHETTE
-

SKENES GLANDS
-

Also called as paraurethral glands,

they are found lateral to the urethral
meatus and have ducts that open into
the urethra.
The secretions from this gland
lubricate the external genitalia during
coitus.

PERINEAL BODY
-

This is a muscular area that stretches

easily during childbirth.

Most pregnancy exercises such as

Kegels and squatting are done to
strengthen the perineal body to allow
easier expansion during childbirth and
avoid tearing the tissue.

BARTHOLINS GLAND
-

Also called bulbovaginal gland, this is

another gland responsible for the
lubrication of the external genitalia
during coitus.
It has ducts that open into the distal
vagina.
Both of these glands secretions are
alkaline to help the sperm survive in
the vagina.

This is a ridge of tissue which is formed

by the posterior joining of the labia
minora and majora.
During episiotomy, this is the tissue
that is cut to enlarge the vaginal
opening.

HYMEN
-

This covers the opening of the vagina.

It is tough, elastic, semicircle tissue

torn during the first sexual intercourse.