The document provides information about the male and female reproductive systems. It describes the key parts of the male reproductive system including the testes, scrotum, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, ejaculatory ducts, prostate gland, urethra, and penis. It also describes the key parts of the female reproductive system including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina. The document discusses the functions of these parts and the processes of sperm production, maturation, and ejaculation in males and ovulation and the menstrual cycle in females.

1. Reproductive system
By Machitja Tlali

3. Male reproductive system
• Testes – produce sperm and are essential
• Scrotum
• Epididymis
• Vas deferens
• Seminal vesicles
• Ejaculatory ducts
• Prostate Gland
• Urethra
• Penis

4. Male Reproductive System
1. Testes
• Ovoid glands that are
suspended in the scrotum
• Attached to scrotal tissue
and spermatic cords
• Consist of many lobules
(250-300 in each testis)
• Each lobule contains:
– Seminiferous Tubules for
spermatogenesis
– Interstitial cells of Leydig
that secrete testosterone.

5. Male Reproductive System
• The testes are each
surrounded by two
protective coats (or
tunics):
– Tunica Vaginalis
(outer Layer) extension
of peritoneum
– Tunica Albuginea
(Inner Layer) extends
between each of the
lobules

6. Male Reproductive System
• Sperm produced in
the testes leave via
the tubulus rectus
that conveys them
to a network of
tubules on one side
of each testis called
the rete testis
• From here the
sperm are carried
via efferent ducts to
the epididymis.

7. Male Reproductive System
2. Scrotum
• This literally means "pouch" or "sac"
• It is a pouch of skin that is incompletely divided
into left and right halves.
• Each half houses one testis.
• The appearance of the scrotum changes with
temperature.
– Eg. Cold (or sexual arousal) it appears shorter and
quite wrinkled, because it is pulled closer to the body
for warmth.
– Eg. Heat, the skin is flaccid (loose) and the testes hang
lower in the scrotum to keep them cool.

8. Male Reproductive System
• The movement of the scrotum and testes helps to maintain intra scrotal
and hence testicular temperature constant @ 93°
• Movement of the scrotum is achieved by two groups of muscles:
– Dartos Muscle which is a smooth muscle and causes shrinking of the
scrotum
– Cremaster Muscle with is skeletal muscle and it elevates the testes. It is
attached to the internal oblique muscle of the trunk

9. 3. Epididymis
• Highly folded duct approx 6m
long, for the passage of sperm
from the testis to the vas
deferens.
• It has 3 divisions:
– Head: connected to the testes
receiving immature sperm
– Body
– Tail: continuous with the vas
deferens, contains smooth muscle
and during ejaculation,
contractions of the smooth muscle
expel mature sperm into the vas
deferens.
• Sperm may be stored in the
epididymis from 18 hrs - 20
days.
• During this time the sperm
mature, including becoming
motile, so they can fertilize an
ovum.
Epididymis is
shaped like a
comma

10. Male Reproductive System
4. Vas deferens
• Short, fairly straight tube approx 45
cm long.
• Ascends from the scrotum into the
abdomen and passes over the
bladder.
– Tube cut in vasectomy
• doesn’t effect erection or performance
• Vas deferens stores the sperm.
– sperm are mature & motile
– the local accumulation of CO2 from
the normal metabolism of the sperm
causes the pH to become acidic.
• under these conditions sperm lose
their motility
– on ejaculation, the alkaline seminal
fluid will counteract the low pH and
the sperm will become motile again.

11. Male Reproductive System
5. Seminal
Vesicles
• 2 glands behind
prostate gland, size
& shape of finger,
• secretes viscous
fluid = 60-70% of
seminal fluid (nourish
& energize sperm)
• Also secrete
fructose, citric acid,
amino acids and
Prostaglandins.

12. Male Reproductive System
6. Ejaculatory ducts
• Short tubes that
descend through the
prostate gland and
terminate in the
urethra.
• Formed by the union
of the vas deferens
and seminal vesicle
ducts

13. Male Reproductive System
7. Prostate gland
– Chestnut-sized gland below
bladder.
– Surrounds the ejaculatory duct
and part of the urethra.
– Secretes a thin liquid that is
milky, alkaline and constitutes
30% of the seminal fluid volume
– Responsible for raising the pH of
the female vagina.
– Provides lubrication during
coitus
7. 5. Cowper’s Glands
– below prostate, 2 pea-sized
glands connect to urethra by
ducts;
– secrete thick, clear mucus
before ejaculation (at tip of
penis)
– alkaline to protect sperm from
acidic vagina.
– Fluid has sperm! (Sperm in

14. Male Reproductive System
8. Urethra
• Tube 18-20 cm long.
• Conveys urine and
sperm (at different
times).
– Three regions of urethra
– Contains glands which
secrete mucus to aid
lubrication during
intercourse.

15. Male Reproductive System
9. Penis
• Copulatory organ of the external genitalia.
• Contains 3 compartments of erectile tissue which are covered by
a loose layer of skin.
• Two "corpora cavernosa"
• One "corpus spongiosum" which lies ventrally in the penis and houses the
spongy urethra. Expands at the end of the penis into the "glans penis".
• When aroused, inc. blood into penis, these compartments fill and expand
– Leads to erect penis – compression of vessels prevents blood flow out.

16. A penis, with foreskin retracted

17. Male Reproductive System
9. Penis continued
• Erectile tissue is sponge-like containing venous
sinuses surrounded by arteries and veins.
• Upon sexual stimulation, the arteries dilate and the
spaces (or caverns) fill with blood. As they fill, the
erectile tissue becomes rigid and the penis
becomes erect.
• Two main functions of the penis:
– Removal of urine via the urethra
– Receipt and ejection of sperm and seminal fluid during
copulation, again via the urethra.

18. Male Reproductive System
• In uncircumcised males there is a structure that
covers the end of the glans penis called the
"prepuce or foreskin".
– Its proposed functions include protection, lubrication
of glans, part of sexual pleasure system.
uncircumcised circumcised

20. Kinsey Data
0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
25.00%
30.00%3.75"
4.25"
4.75"
5.25"
5.75"
6.25"
6.75"
7.25"
7.75"
8.25"
8.75"
Penis Length
All length measurements were taken when the penises
were erect, along the top of the penis, from the point where
the top of the penile shaft meets the pubic area to the tip.

21. Male Anatomy & Physiology
• Factors effecting size:
– heredity, vasocongestion, cold air or water, fear,
anxiety (penis draws closer to body & smaller size)
• Erection – urethra/urinary duct closes so semen
passes through (ejaculation)
• Erection not always because of sexual
excitement
– REM sleep (dreaming)

22. Myths
• Penis Size: related to masculinity,
aggression, ability to “perform”, sexual
attractiveness, virility.
• Size of shoe predictive of penis size (not
research based!).
• Size not related to ability to have sexual
intercourse or pleasure partner.
• Small flaccid penis enlarges more with
erection than larger flaccid penis.

23. The Ejaculate
• Ejaculate volume is about 3 ml and ranges
from 2 to 6 ml.
• pH is 7.5, slightly basic to neutralize the acidity
of the urethra and the vagina
• Of the 3 ml of an ejaculate
– About 0.2 ml, originates from the Cowper's gland
– About 0.5 ml from the prostate gland
– about 2 ml is secreted from the seminal vesicles

24. Reproductive Process
• Semen production
– Seminal Fluid - ejaculated liquid with sperm
– Function: nourish sperm, hospitable environment, transportation
of sperm
• Semen is combo of:
– seminal vesicle fld., prostate gland fld., sperm mixed in the
urethra during ejaculation.
• Is thick & sticky (clotting factor in fluid)
• Keeps the sperm together during transport then liquefies
so sperm can swim out.
• Color varies: opalescent (milky white), yellowish or
grayish as ejaculate, then becomes clear as it liquefies.
• 1 tsp. (2-6 Milliliters) semen ejaculated = 200>500 million
sperm

25. Review: Journey of the Sperm

26. interstitial
cells-
testosterone

27. sperm
production
in the
seminferous
tubules

28. sperm
storage
in the
epididymis

29. transport
in the
vas
deferens

30. ampulla -
storage

31. fluid from
the
seminal
vessicles
ejaculatory
duct

32. fluid from
the
prostate
gland

33. cowper’s
gland

34. ejaculatio
Spinal reflex
triggers nerve
impulses to
ducts, glands,
muscles of
reproductive
system.

35. The Process
• Orgasm:
• Intense, pleasurable physical sensations & general
release of tension accompanying ejaculation.
– Does not always occur with ejaculation
– Ejaculation not always occur with orgasm
• Refractory Period - no erections/orgasms for varying time
– factors = age, environment, individual
• few minutes to few days - maybe chemical effects in
brain
• After orgasm > blood flow  , erection ,
• “Blue Balls”
– Intense arousal without orgasm > heaviness felt in
testes. Not as painful as implied.
– If discomfort continues - masturbation > ejaculate for
release.

36. More info
• When seminal vesicles are full, feedback
signals to sperm (inhibin) production.
– Extra sperm die and are absorbed by body

37. Female Reproductive Anatomy

38. Female Reproductive System

39. Female Reproductive System
• Internal
– Ovaries
– Fallopian tubes
– Uterus
– Cervix
– Vagina
• External genitalia performing a variety of secretory functions
– Bartholin's glands
– Skene’s glands
• Mammary glands
• Menstrual cycle

40. Female Reproductive
System
1. Ovaries
• The female gonads or sex glands
• 2 almond sized glands, either side of
uterus
• They develop & expel 1 ovum/mth
• A woman is born with about
400,000 immature eggs called
follicles
• During a lifetime a woman releases
about 400 to 500 fully matured eggs
for fertilization
• The follicles in the ovaries produce
the female sex hormones,
progesterone and estrogen
• These hormones prepare the uterus
for implantation of the fertilized egg

41. 1. Ovaries
• Each ovary is held in place by 3 ligaments:
– Broad ligament: suspends ovaries between the uterus & pelvic wall
– Ovarian ligament: attaches ovaries to the uterus
– Suspensory ligament: attaches ovaries to the pelvic wall

42. • These ligaments work with the Round and Uterosacral
ligaments to suspend female reproductive system in the lower
abdomen
• Significantly different from males where all structures hang

43. 1. Ovaries
• Each ovary is covered by 3 layers of epithelial cells – each
with different functions:
– Nurture developing follicles, secrete hormones, blood vessels
and muscles.

44. Female Reproductive System
• Ovaries: Internal Structure
• The ovary contains many sac-like structures called ovarian
follicles
• Follicle consists of an immature egg (oocyte) surrounded by
several follicle cells named according to its stage of
development.
• Follicle cells support/nourish ova, secrete estrogen.
– Primary Follicle - one layer of follicle cells around ovum
– Growing Follicle - >1 layer of follicle cells around ovum
– Graafian Follicle - mature oocyte, follicle cells have a fluid filled
space between them
– Corpus Luteum - follicle cells left behind after the ovum has
ruptured at ovulation (makes progesterone)

45. Female Reproductive System

46. Female Reproductive System

47. Female Reproductive System
• Fallopian Tubes
• Tubes approx. 10 cm long, 1 cm diameter
• Receive ruptured oocyte from ovary
– Fallopian tubes are NOT in direct contact with
ovaries
– When an oocyte is released from the ovary it moves
into the peritoneal cavity. It must reach the mouth of
the fallopian tube to be fertilized.

48. Female Reproductive System
• At ovulation, a current
draws the oocyte into the
fallopian tube.
– Finger-like projections
called fimbriae
• Infundibulum:
– funnel-like structure
• Narrows into the ampulla
• Constricts further into
isthmus as it enters uterus

49. Female Reproductive System
• Fallopian Tubes
• Provide site for fertilization by sperm, usually
upper end
• 10-11 days for the zygote to drift down the tube
• Wall of the Fallopian Tubes
– lined with longitudinal and circular smooth muscle –
move oocyte toward uterus
– some areas are ciliated
– secrete nutritive substances to nourish oocyte

50. Female Reproductive System
• Tubal ligation, commonly knows as "getting your
tubes tied," is a surgical sterilization technique for
women.
• This procedure closes the fallopian tubes, and stops the
egg from traveling to the uterus from the ovary.
• It also prevents sperm from reaching the fallopian tube
to fertilize an egg.
• In a tubal ligation, fallopian tubes are cut, burned, or
blocked with rings, bands or clips.
• The surgery is effective immediately.
– Over 98% effective as birth control.
– They do not protect against reproductive tract infections,
including HIV/AIDS.

51. Female Reproductive System
• Uterus
• Hollow, thick-walled organ – womb
• Receives, retains and nourishes the fertilized
egg
• Before first pregnancy it is the size and shape of
a pear
– after first child remains a bit larger

52. Female Reproductive System
Uterus consists of:Uterus consists of:
IsthmusIsthmus - slightly narrower region between the body and cervix- slightly narrower region between the body and cervix
FundusFundus - rounded region superior to entrance of fallopian tubes- rounded region superior to entrance of fallopian tubes
BodyBody - major hollow part of the uterus- major hollow part of the uterus
CervixCervix - neck or narrow outlet of the uterus: projects into the vagina- neck or narrow outlet of the uterus: projects into the vagina

53. Female Reproductive System
• Wall of the Uterus
• The uterine wall is highly muscular and consists of 3
layers:
– Perimetrium - outermost layer (think of perimeter)
– Myometrium - thick smooth muscle layer, contracts in
childbirth
– Endometrium - mucosal lining, site of implantation for
embryo
• The endometrium receives a rich blood supply from a
complex network in the myometrium so that it can
respond to hormonal changes in the blood
– Eg. Pregnancy, stages of menstrual cycle

54. Female Reproductive System
oad ligament helps keep the uterus and fallopian tubes in place.

55. Female Reproductive
System
• Cervix
• The cervix connects the uterus to the vagina
• The cervical opening to the vagina is small
– This acts as a safety precaution against foreign bodies
entering the uterus
• During childbirth, the cervix dilates to accommodate
the passage of the fetus
• This dilation is a sign that labor has begun

56. Female Reproductive System
• Vagina
• Thin-walled, fibromuscular tube, 8-10 cm long
• Lies between the bladder and rectum
• Extends from cervix of uterus to exterior of body
• Birth canal (and passage for menses)
• Female copulatory organ
• Vaginal mucosa has NO glands
– With the help of two Bartholin’s glands (outside vagina)
becomes lubricated during SI

57. Female Reproductive System
• Vagina
• pH of the vagina in menarchal (reproductive)
women is acidic
– Maintained by glycogen stores that are used by
resident normal Flora
– Keeps vagina healthy – parasite free
– Low pH is hostile to sperm
• High pH of seminal secretions aid to neutralize
the acidic pH of the vagina and enhance
survival of sperm.

58. Female Reproductive System
• Fornix at proximal end (meets cervix of uterus) there
is a fold - this is a potential site for infection in the
female reproductive tract.

59. Female Reproductive System
• Hymen at distal end
(external opening) there
may be an extension of
the mucosa partly or
completely covering the
vaginal orifice
– highly vascular and often
bleeds after first sexual
intercourse as it is ruptured

60. Female Reproductive System
• External Genitalia,
collectively called the
Vulva:
• Mons Pubis
– fatty, rounded area over
the pubic area
– During adolescence sex
hormones trigger the
growth of pubic hair on
the mons pubis

61. Female Reproductive System
• Labia Majora
• 2 fatty skin folds that are
homologous with the male
scrotum
• “Outer lips” – darker
pigmentation
• Protective covering
• Are covered with hair and
sebaceous glands
• Become flaccid with age and
after childbirth
• Swell during intercourse

62. Female Reproductive System
• Labia Minora
• “Inner lips”
• smaller folds covered with
mucosa and richly supplied with
sebaceous glands
• Made up of erectile, connective
tissue that darkens and swells
during sexual arousal
• Located inside the labia majora
• They are more sensitive and
responsive to touch than the
labia majora
• The labia minora tightens
during intercourse

63. Female Reproductive System
• Clitoris
• Contains erectile cavernous
tissue like the penis
• Richly supplied with nerves,
and so is one of the most
sensitive areas for women
• Engorges with blood upon
sexual arousal
• Housed in a hood of tissue
(prepuce) formed by the
junction of labia minora
• Highly sensitive organ
composed of nerves, blood
vessels, and erectile tissue
• Key to sexual pleasure for
most women

64. Female Reproductive System
• Urethra
– Opening located directly
below clitoris
– Passage of urine
• Vaginal Opening
– Opening may be covered by a
thin sheath called the hymen
– Using the presence of an
intact hymen for determining
virginity is erroneous
– Some women are born
without a hymen
– The hymen can be perforated
by many different events

65. Female Reproductive System
• Vestibular Glands
– Greater vestibular
(Bartholin's)
• 2, posterior, mucous
secreting, can plug and
make cysts, reservoir
for VD
– Lesser vestibular
(Skene's)
• 2, anterior to opening
of the vagina, mucous
producing

68. Female Reproductive System
• Perinium
• The muscle and tissue located between the vaginal
opening and anal canal
• It supports and surrounds the lower parts of the
urinary and digestive tracts
• The perinium contains an abundance of nerve endings
that make it sensitive to touch
• An episiotomy is an incision of the perinium used
during childbirth for widening the vaginal opening

69. Female Reproductive System
• Mammary Glands
– Present in both sexes but only become functional in women
– Only of importance functionally after childbirth to produce
milk for feeding the baby
• Each mammary gland is contained within a rounded,
skin- covered breast
• In the centre of each breast is a slightly hollowed area,
darker than skin, called the areola, surrounds the
central nipple
– In the areola there are large sebaceous glands that give it a
lumpy texture and appearance.
– Both the areola and nipple are innervated by the autonomic
nervous system and become erect by tactile and sexual
stimuli (also cold temperatures)

70. Female Reproductive System
• Mammary Glands: Internal Structure
• Each mammary gland is made up or 15-25 lobes that
radiate around the nipple
• Each lobule is connected by lactiferous ducts that open
into the nipples (gets milk to nipple)
• Lobes contain
– Alveolar Glands produce milk during lactation
• Lobes are separated by connective tissue and fat
• There are suspensory ligaments in the connective tissue
that attach the breasts to the pectoral muscles of the
chest

73. Reproduction and the Menstrual
Cycle

74. Reproduction and the
Menstrual Cycle
• Structures involved
• Hypothalamus
• Pituitary (anterior lobe) [secretes FSH & LH]
• Ovary [estrogen, progesterone]
• Uterine lining
• The average cycle is 28 days in length
(range 24-35)
• Feedback loop of hormones

76. SEX HORMONES
• HORMONES PRODUCED IN THE PITUITARY
GLAND
– FSH
• Follicle stimulating hormone
– LH
• Luteinizing hormone - signals ovulation
• HORMONES PRODUCED BY THE FOLLICLES
IN THE OVARIES
– Estrogen- produced throughout the menstrual cycle
– Progesterone-produced during second half of cycle
• Contributes to thickening of the endometrium which is shed during
menstrual phase if fertilization does not take place

78. Reproduction and the
Menstrual Cycle
• 2 main phases: follicular and luteal phase – each 14 days
• Follicular phase (14 days)
– Includes menstrual flow phase (5 days)
• Loss of 25-65 ml of blood average
– Hypothalamus triggers pituitary to secrete FSH
• Causes the follicle to develop
• As follicle develops, starts to produce estrogen
– Estrogen has three important effects:
• Inhibits FSH production
– “we’ve got a follicle and don’t need to produce another one now”
• causes the endometrium lining to build up
• Causes the pituitary to secret LH
– LH surge causes ovulation: marks end of the follicular phase

80. Reproduction and the
Menstrual Cycle
• As FSH declines, causes the increase in secretion of LH
(Luteinizing hormone).
– Spike in LH causes ovulation to occur
• After ovulation, in luteal phase
• After ovulation the follicle is called a corpus luteum
• Corpus luteum makes progesterone.
• Progesterone:
– inhibits pituitary manufacture of LH (and FSH)
– “We’ve got successful ovulation, don’t need anymore”

81. Estrogen (ovary)
inhibits FSH
production
Follicle develops
LH surge (due to
low FSH) triggers
ovulation
Corpus luteum
makes progesterone,
inhibits FSH, LH

82. Progesterone &
estrogen rise if
embryo implants
As E & P decrease,
inhibition of FSH
declines…

83. Reproduction and the
Menstrual Cycle
• The egg cell is fertile for about 48 hours
after ovulation
• In general, fertilization occurs 14th and 15th
days.
• Sperm cells are fertile in the reproductive
tubes for about 48 hours.

84. Reproduction and the
Menstrual Cycle
• If pregnancy occurs…
– Estrogen and progesterone stay high
– FSH and LH stay low, the endometrium
continues to grow
– Corpus luteum grows and dominates the ovary
• Most birth control pills contain the combination of
the hormones estrogen and progesterone to
prevent ovulation: inhibits FSH and LH

87. Thank you