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**NOTEBOOK**

Anatomy and Physiology of the Reproductive System

 Gynecotogy- study of the female reproductive organs
 Androgoly- study of male reproductive organs
Male Reproductive System
 External Structure- penis
Scrotum
Testes
*spermatozoa- produced in testes and reach maturity in the external structures
- surrounded by semen
* semen- 60% prostate gland
- 30% seminal vesicles
- 5% epididymis
- 5% bulbourethral glands
o penis- composed of 3 cylindrical masses of erectile tissue
*corpus cavernosa (2)
*corpus spongiusum (shaft) –filled with blood
 Contraction of the ischiocavernous muscle at the penis base occurs (with sexual excitement)
-venous congestion in the 3 sections of tissue [distention and erection of penis]
 Glans- bulging sensitive ridge of tissue
 Prepuce- retractable causing of skin
-protects the nerve-sensitive organs at birth
 Penile artery- branch of puctendal artery
-provide the blood supply for penis
 Penile Erection- stimulated by parasympathetic nerve innervation
Reproduction
Urinary
o Scrotum- rugated skin-covered muscular pouch suspended from the perineum.
-contains the testes, epididymis, and lower portion of spermatic cord
o Testes- 2 void glands [2- 3 cm wide] that lie in the scrotum
-encased by a protective white fiber capsule
-composed of lobules containing
*Leydig’s cell [production of testosterone]
-seminiferous tubule [ without produces spermatozoa]
Interstitial cells- sperm
o Hypothalamus releases gonadotropin- releasing hormone (GnRH) | GnRp

Influences the anterior pituitary gland to release FSH & LH

*FSH- release of androgen-binding protein (ABP)
LH- release of testosterone

ABP binding of testosterone

Spermatogenesis- everyday
 inc. amounts of testosterone have a feedback effect on the hypothalamus and anterior PG,
decreasing produxn of FSH and LH.

NSG 123 CARE OF MOTHER, CHILD AND ADOLESCENT (WELL CLIENTS) NOTES
By GERALDINE S. RIDAD, MAN RN
MSU-IIT, COLLEGE OF NURSING
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 One testis is slightly larger than the other; suspended slightly lower in the scrotum
 SPERMATOZOA do not survive at body temperature.
 Cold weather- scrotal muscle contract
 Hot weather- scrotal muscle relaxes
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE
-prominent as palpated
o Epididymis-seminiferous tubule of each testis leads to a tightly coiled tube [epididymis]
-approx. 12 ft.
- conduction of sperm from the testis to vas deferend
- where some sperm are stored\
- infection [epididymis] can lead to easy scarring of the lumen
- prohibit passage of sperm beyond the scarred point
 SPERM are immobile and incapable of fertilization as they pass / are stored at the epididymis
level
 12-20 days to travel the length of epididymis -20ft
 64 days to reach maturity
*ASPERMIA (absence of sperm)
*OLIGOSPERMIA ( fewer than 20 million sperm /mL)
o VAS DEFERENS (Ductus Deferens)
-additional hollow type surrounded by arteries and veins
-protected by a thick fibrous coating.
 Carries sperm to inguinal canal into the abdominal cavity and ends into the seminal vesicles and
ejaculatory ducts
 Sperm mature as they pass through the VD
 Not mobile due to the fairly acidic medium of the semen at this level.
Blood vessels + vas deferens = SPERMATIC CORD
 VARICOCEZE (varicosity of internal spermatic vein)
Contribute to male infertility [congestion of testes]
 VASECTOINY – severing of vas deferens
o SEMINAL VESICLES – 2 convoluted pouches
 Empty into the urethra by way of ejaculatory ducts
 Secrete of viscous portion of semen [high content of a basic sugar and protein]
[alkaline in pH]
 Mobile sperms (due to alkaline fluid)
o EJACULATORY DUCTS- join the SV with the urethra
o PROSTATE GLAND (60%)
 Secretes a thin alkaline fluid which further protects sperm from being immobilized by
the natural low pH level of the urethra
 Many men develop hypertrophy of the prostate
-interferences with both fertility and urination
-can be retrieved by medical therapy / surgery [prostectomy]
o URETHTRA –approx. 8m long
-continues to the outside through the shapt and glans of the penis

o BULBOURETHRAL GLANDS *COWPER’S glands+ beside prostate gland

 Secrete an alkaline fluid that helps counteract the acid secretion of the urethra

NSG 123 CARE OF MOTHER, CHILD AND ADOLESCENT (WELL CLIENTS) NOTES
By GERALDINE S. RIDAD, MAN RN
MSU-IIT, COLLEGE OF NURSING
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 Ensures safe passage of spermatozoa

Female- adrenal cortex
Ovary
Males- adrenal cortex
Testes
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 EXTERNAL STRUCTURES
 Vulva- structures that form the female external genitalia
o MONS VENERIS/ PUBIS – pad of adipose tissue inserted over the symphysis pubis
o LABIA MINORA- positioned lateral to the labia minora
 Trauma to the area [childbirth rape] can lead to extensive edema formation
 Vestibule- opening of the bladder (urethra) and the urethra (vagina) both arise from the
vestibule
 Clitoris – (1-2 cm)
 Rounded organ of erectile tissue
 Covered by a fold of skin (prepuce)
 Sensitive to touch and temperature
Center of sexual arousal and organism in females
 Arterial blood supply is plentiful
 Ischiocavernous muscle contracts with sexual; arousal, venous outflow for the clitoris is
blocked leading to clitoral erection.
 Skene’s glands (paraurethral glands) besideurethra
 Secretions help lubricate the external genitalia during coitus.
 Bartholin’s glands (vulvovaginal glands)
 Lubricate the external vulva during coitus
 Alkaline pH of secretion helps to improve sperm survival in the vagina.
 Fourchette-ridge of tissue
 Sometimes cut (episiotomy) before birth to a child to enlarge vaginal opening.
 Perineal body- easily stretched for childbirth to allow for enlargement of vagina and passage of
fetal head
 Hymen- often torn during the 1st sexual intercourse
-tough but elastic semicircle of tissue; covers the opening of vagina
*VULVAR BLOOD SUPPLY
 Blood supply of the external genitalia is mainly from the pudendal artery and a portion
of the inferior rectus artery
 Venous return- pudendal artery
Hypothalamus
Pituitary gland organs of menstruation
Ovaries
Uterus
STAGES OF FETAL DEVELOPMENT
 Ovum- from ovulation to fertilization
 Zygote- fertilization to implantation
 Embryo-implantation to 5-8 weeks
 Fetus- 5-8 weeks until term
 Conceptus- developing embryo- fetus and placental structures throughout pregnancy
Pre-embryonic---- fertilization (fist 2 weeks)
NSG 123 CARE OF MOTHER, CHILD AND ADOLESCENT (WELL CLIENTS) NOTES
By GERALDINE S. RIDAD, MAN RN
MSU-IIT, COLLEGE OF NURSING
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Embryotic ---- week 3 – week 8

Fetal----- week 8 – birth
o FERTILIZATION [ impregnation, conception, fecundation] – union of sperm and ovum
(spermatozoon)
-occurs in the angular portion
 24 hours - capability of fertilization of ovum (at most 48 hrs.)
 48 hrs. (at most 72 hrs.)- functional life of spermatozoon
Ovum +zona pellucida (mucopolysaccharide fluid) + corona radiate (circle of cells)
Normal ejaculation – 2.5 mL-5 mL
-50-200 million spermatozoa / mL
-400 million sperm / ejaculation
Reduction of viscosity of cervical mucus (ovulation)
80 seconds – efficiency of sperm transport to reach the cervix
5 min. – efficiency of sperm at outer end of a fallopian tube (after deposition)
Douching- not an effective contraceptive measures
 Flagella- means of sperm mobility
 Uterine contractions through the cervix, body of uterus, and fallopian tubes,

 Species- specific reaction (i.e. antigen-antibody rxn)

 Capacitation- change in the sperm head’s plasma membrane

 Hyaluronidase (proteolytic enzyme) – released by spermatozoa

NSG 123 CARE OF MOTHER, CHILD AND ADOLESCENT (WELL CLIENTS) NOTES
By GERALDINE S. RIDAD, MAN RN
MSU-IIT, COLLEGE OF NURSING