Anatomy of Reproductive System

By: L.Y
 The Reproductive System
Includes:
1.Gonads:
o Organs that produce gametes and hormones
2. Ducts:
o Receive and transport gametes
3. Accessory glands:
o Secrete fluids into ducts
4. Perineal structures:
o Collectively known as external genitalia

By: L.Y
 Male Internal Genital Organs
• The male internal genital organs include
– ductus deferens
– seminal glands
– ejaculatory ducts
– Prostate
– bulbourethral glands

By: L.Y
 Ductus (vas) deferens
• Thick walled muscular
tube, about 45cm

• The continuation of the

duct of the epididymis

By: L.Y
 Ductus (vas) deferens
Course
– Begins in tail of epididymis
– Ascends in spermatic cord
– Passes through the
inguinal(groin) canal
– crosses superior to the
ureter
– Enlarges to form ampulla
posterior to bladder
• Finally, it narrows and joins
duct of seminal vesicle
By: L.Y
 Sterilization of males
• The common method of
sterilizing males is
deferentectomy
(vasectomy)
• Part of the ductus
deferens is ligated
and/or excised through
an incision in the
superior part of the
scrotum

By: L.Y
 Seminal vesicles (glands)
• Thin-walled and pear-
shaped

• About 5 cm long

• Consists of highly
tortuous tubes about 15
cm,

• Lies between fundus of

bladder and rectum
By: L.Y
 Seminal vesicles (glands)
• Secrete yellowish, viscous,
acidic fluid containing an
abundance of fructose, citric
acid, and prostaglandins and
fibrinogen

• Constitutes about 60% of

ejaculate
• Prostaglandin: One of a number of hormone-like
substances that participate in a wide range of body
functions such as the contraction and relaxation of
smooth muscle, the dilation and constriction of
blood vessels, control of blood pressure, and
modulation of inflammation...

By: L.Y
 Ejaculatory ducts

• Formed by union of ducts of

seminal vesicle and ductus
deferens

• opens by slit-like apertures

into the prostatic urethra

By: L.Y
 Prostate
• A dense organ surrounding the
urethra below the bladder

• The internal urethral orifice

leads directly to the prostatic
urethra, the gland being
immediately below the
bladder
• The prostate is a gland that produces
some of the fluid that carries sperm
during ejaculation. The prostate gland
surrounds the urethra, the tube
through which urine passes out of the
body
By: L.Y
By: L.Y
• The glands produce
prostatic fluid containing
various Ca+ , PO4,
enzymes and other ions.

– milky, slightly alkaline fluid

– Is about 30% ejaculate

By: L.Y
• Benign prostatic hypertrophy
– Present in 50% of men older than 50 years and in
95% of men older than 70 years
– Disease of prostate may cause voiding problem
because urethra passes through it
— is a common condition as men get older. An
enlarged prostate gland can cause uncomfortable
urinary symptoms, such as blocking the flow of urine
out of the bladder. It can also cause bladder, urinary
tract or kidney problem

By: L.Y
 Bulbourethral gland (Cowper’s glands)

• Paired round glands, pea-size

• produces mucous like fluid

• Located below pelvic floor

• Its ducts open through minute

apertures into the proximal
part of the spongy urethra.

By: L.Y
 Pelvic floor
• Formed by the funnel-
shaped pelvic diaphragm

• which consists of the levator

ani and coccygeus muscles
and

• The fascias covering the

superior and inferior aspects
of these muscles

By: L.Y
By: L.Y
 Female internal genital organs
The female internal genital
organs include

• Ovaries (female gonads)

– the primary reproductive
organs of the female

• Accessory ducts
– uterine tubes, uterus, and
vagina
• Accesory glands

By: L.Y
 Uterus
• thick-walled hollow muscular
organ

• about 7-8cm long

• located between
bladder and rectum

• projects superoanteriorly
over bladder

• usually lies in the lesser

pelvis
• Has two parts By: L.Y
 1. Body of the uterus
• superior two thirds
• lies in layers of the
broad ligament
• Parts
– Fundus
• rounded part superior to
the orifices of the uterine
tubes
– Isthmus
• constricted region just
superior to the cervix
– Uterine horns (cornu)
By: L.Y
 2. Cervix of the uterus
• cylindrical, narrow
inferior part of the
uterus

• outlet, which projects

into the vagina
inferiorly

By: L.Y
• The lumen (cervical canal) is
smaller than that of uterine
cavity
– constriction between the two
parts is called internal os
• The opening of the cervix into
the vagina is called external os
The mucosa of the cervical
canal contains cervical
glands
◦ block the spread of bacteria
◦ blocks the entry of sperm,
except at midcycle
By: L.Y
 Broad ligament
• double layer of peritoneum

• from the sides of the uterus to

the lateral pelvic walls

• Enclose body of uterus

• Holds uterus in normal position

• contains the ovaries, uterine

tubes, and their vasculatures

By: L.Y
• Laterally, it is prolonged
superiorly over the
ovarian vessels as the
suspensory ligament of
the ovary

– Which connects the ovary

to the side wall of the
pelvis

By: L.Y
By: L.Y
 The Uterine Wall
• The uterine wall has three
major layers:
– Perimetrium
• outer connective tissue
layer, continuous with the
ligaments
– Myometrium
• thick tunic of highly
vascular smooth muscle
– Endometrium
• mucosa lined by simple
columnar epithelium
By: L.Y
 Endometrium
• simple columnar epithelium
underlain by a thick lamina
propria

• Its covering simple

columnar epithelium has
both ciliated and secretory
cells( uterine glands)

• inner layer is actively

involved in the menstrual
cycle

By: L.Y
Is subdivided into two zones

1. basal layer (stratum basale)

• highly cellular lamina

propria

• Contains basal ends of the

uterine glands

• unresponsive to ovarian
hormones
By: L.Y
2. The superficial functional
layer (stratum
functionalis)
• less cellular lamina
propria,
• Contains most of the
length of the glands, as
well as the surface
epithelium
• undergoes cyclic
changes in response to
blood levels of ovarian
hormones
By: L.Y
 Uterine tubes (oviducts)
are two muscular tubes
each measuring about
12 cm in length

extend posterolaterally
to the lateral pelvic
walls, where they
ascend and arch over
the ovaries

By: L.Y
• Functions
– Catch the ovulated secondary oocyte
– Nourish both the oocyte and sperm
– Provide the microenvironment for fertilization
– Transport the embryo undergoing cleavage to the
uterus

By: L.Y
Parts
1. Infundibulum
• contais, fimbriae
2. Ampulla
• middle and widest
• site of fertilization
3. Isthmus (constricted part near
the cornu of uterus)
4. uterine (intramural) part

By: L.Y
 Infections of female genital tract
• Because the female genital tract
communicates with the
peritoneal cavity through the
abdominal ostia of the uterine
tubes, infections of the vagina,
uterus, and uterine tubes may
result in peritonitis

• Conversely, inflammation of the

tube (salpingitis) may result from
infections that spread from the
peritoneal cavity
By: L.Y
 Ovaries
• Ovaries are almond-shaped
bodies approximately 3 cm
long, 1.5 cm wide, and 1 cm
thick

• Located near the lateral

attachment of the broad
ligament

• Lies on the lateral wall of

the pelvis
By: L.Y
• Attached and supported
by
• mesovarium
• suspensory ligament
• ligament of ovary
• is suspended in the
peritoneal cavity and
• its surface is not covered
by peritoneum
• the oocyte expelled at
ovulation passes into the
peritoneal cavity
By: L.Y
 Regions
• Cortex
– External region, make up
most of the ovary
– Filled with a highly cellular
connective tissue stroma and
ovarian follicles

• Medulla
– Internal part of the ovary
– Contains loose connective
tissue and blood vessels

By: L.Y
 Vagina
• Musculomembranous
tube/sheath

• About 7-9 cm long

• Extends from the cervix

of the uterus to the
vestibule

By: L.Y
• relation: posterior to
urinary bladder and
anterior to rectum
– pierces urogenital
diaphragm (pelvic floor)

• Function
– a canal for menstrual
fluid
– Forms pelvic (birth) canal
– Female organ of
copulation

By: L.Y
• It descends
anteroinferiorly

• except where it is held

open by the cervix
(forming fornices), its
posterior and anterior
wall are in contact

• Its lateral distension is

limited by ishial spines
and ligaments

By: L.Y
 Walls of the vagina
• The highly distensible walls
of the vagina consists of
three tunics

– Mucosa: Marked by
transverse ridges or
vaginal rugae

– Muscularis

– Adventitia
By: L.Y
• synthesize and
accumulate glycogen

• bacteria metabolize
glycogen to lactic
acid= acidic

By: L.Y
• Vaginal orifice
– Is the opening of
vagina

– Has an incomplete
partition called
hymen
– hymen is quite
vascular fold of
mucus membrane

By: L.Y
 Perineum
(External genetalia)
 Introduction
Perineum is a diamond
shaped region of trunk
lies inferior to pelvic
outlet (below pelvic
diaphragm)
extends from:
◦ the mons pubis superiorly
◦ the medial surfaces of the
thighs and gluteal folds
laterally
◦ superior end of natal cleft
inferiorly
By: L.Y
• perineum is divided into two
triangles:
1. Anal triangle
• lies posterior to the line
joining anterior end of ischial
tuberosities and
• Tip of coccyx posteriorly
• Sacrotuberous ligament
laterally

– contains the anal canal,

anus, external anal
sphincter and ischioanal
fossa By: L.Y
By: L.Y
2. Urogenital triangle
• anterior to this line
• Pubic symphysis
anteriorly
• Pubic arch laterally
– contains external
genitalia

By: L.Y
By: L.Y
Perineal body
• irregular fibromuscular
mass located anterior to
anal canal

• lies deep to the skin, with

relatively little overlying
subcutaneous tissue

• site of convergence of
several muscles (final
support of the pelvic viscera)

By: L.Y
 Injury to pelvic floor

• levator ani, and pelvic fascia may be injured

during childbirth (usually the most medial part )

– This part of the muscle is important because

it encircles and supports the urethra, vagina,
and anal canal

• Weakening of the levator ani may alter the

position of the neck of the bladder, urethra and
others

– cause urinary stress incontinence

By: L.Y
Episiotomy

By: L.Y
 Male Perineum
• The male perineum
includes
– external genitalia
(urethra, scrotum, and
penis)
– perineal muscles
– anal canal

By: L.Y
 Scrotum

• Cutaneous
fibromuscular sac

• Consisting of two layers

– skin
– dartos fascia

• Skin is heavily
pigmented

By: L.Y
• midline scrotal raphe is
continuous with penile
raphe and perineal raphe

• deep to the scrotal raphe,

the septum of the scrotum
(prolongation of dartos
fascia), compartments
scrotum for each testis

By: L.Y
 Scrotum: temperature regulation
• The scrotum responds to
temperature changes
(change in position and
shape)

• Maintains physiological
temp. of testis

• Is due to the activity of:

– Dartos muscle and
– Cremaster muscle

By: L.Y
 Testes
is approximately 4 cm
long and 2.5 cm wide
Each testis (testicle) is
surrounded by two tunics
of fibrous tissue
1. Tunica albuginea (inner)
2. Tunica vagnalis (outer)
fibrous septa divide it
into about 250 pyramidal
testicular lobules
By: L.Y
• Each lobule is occupied by
1-4 seminiferous tubules
(produce spermatozoa)

• are surrounded by loose

interstitial tissue (rich in
neurovasculature) and
Leydig cells, whicch is
responsible for :-
– secrete testicular androgens

By: L.Y
By: L.Y
The Seminiferous Tubules

By: L.Y Figure 28–5b

Spermatogenesis

By: L.Y
Interstitial Cells (Cells of Leydig)
• Produce androgens (Testosterone)
– dominant male sex hormones

Spermatogenesis
• Is the process of sperm production
• Begins at outermost cell layer in
seminiferous tubules
• Proceeds toward lumen

By: L.Y
 Intratesticular genital Ducts
• Include:
– tubuli recti
– Rete testis
– Efferent ductules

• carry spermatozoa
and liquid from the
seminiferous
tubules to
epididymis
By: L.Y
 The Epididymis
• Is the start of extra-testicular genital duct
• Is a coiled tube almost 7m long:
– bound to posterio-lateral part of testis

Functions of the Epididymis

1. Monitors and adjusts fluid produced
by seminiferous tubules
2. Recycles damaged spermatozoa
3. Stores and protects spermatozoa:
– facilitates functional maturation
By: L.Y
 Penis
• Composed of three cylindrical masses of
erectile tissue, plus the penile urethra,
surrounded by Connective Tissue & skin

By: L.Y
 Penis
• The two cylindrical masses
of erectile tissue corpora
cavernosa - are placed
dorsally
• The single cylindrical masses
of erectile tissue corpus
spongiosum - is ventral and
surrounds the urethra
• At its end the corpus
spongiosum expands,
forming the glans penis
By: L.Y
• the internal fold of the
prepuce or foreskin
contains sebaceous
glands

• Each erectile tissues are

covered by tunica
albuginea (inner layer)

• The whole is enclosed in

penis fascia and skin

By: L.Y
Support:
• suspensory ligament
is attached between
the penis fascia and
pubic symphysis
• Fundifor ligament

By: L.Y
Parts of the pines:
– root, body, and glans
• Root
– consists of the crura and
bulb
– Attached to ischial ramus
and perineal membrane
and
– surrounded by
ischiocavernosus
bulbospongiosus (expel last
drop of urine) muscles
respectively By: L.Y
• Body
– free part that is
suspended from the
pubic symphysis

– consists of the 3
erectile cylinders

• Glans penis
– Distally expanded
part of corpus
spongiosum
By: L.Y
 Female Perineum
• The female external genitalia (vulva) include
– mons pubis
– labia majora
– labia minora
– Clitoris
– Vestibule and associated glands

By: L.Y
 Mons pubis
• pad of fatty tissue
anterior to the pubic
bones

• After puberty, covered

with coarse pubic hairs

• The amount of fat

increases at puberty
and decreases after
menopause
By: L.Y
 Labia Majora
• folds of skin with
subcutaneous fat that
bound the pudendal cleft

• Externally contains
course of hairs
• provide protection for
the urethral and vaginal
orifices

• passes toward the anus

By: L.Y
 Labia Minora
• are folds of fat-free,
hairless skin between
labia majora
• surround the vestibule
into which the external
• Anteriorly, unite to form
the prepuce (foreskin)
of the clitoris
• Unite to form Frenulum
of clitoris and labia
minora
By: L.Y
 Clitoris
• small protruding erectile
organ homologous to the
penis
• richly innervated with
sensory nerve endings
sensitive to touch,
• it becomes swollen with
blood and erect during
tactile stimulation,
contributing to a female’s
sexual arousal
By: L.Y
Parts
• root
– The two crura

• body
– two corpora cavernosa
– lacks corpus
spongiosum

• glans of the clitoris

– covered by the
prepuce
– most innervated part
By: L.Y
 Vestibule
• The space surrounded
by the labia minora

• Contains the openings

of urethra, vagina, and
ducts of greater and
lesser vestibular glands

By: L.Y
 Bulbs of Vestibule
• Paired masses of
elongated erectile tissue
that lie along the sides of
the vaginal orifice

• Homologous with the

bulb of the penis and the
corpus spongiosum,

By: L.Y
 Greater Vestibular gland (Bartholin glands)
• located on sides of
vestibule, posterolateral
to the vaginal orifice
• Their slender ducts
open into the vestibule
on each side of the
vaginal orifice
• secrete mucus into the
vestibule during sexual
arousal
By: L.Y
 Blood supply to major female reproductive
organs
• Paired branches of the abdominal aorta,
called the ovarian arteries, supply blood to
the reproductive organs, such as the ovaries,
fallopian tubes, and uterus.
• Veins are the blood vessels that return
oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart for
reuse. They typically follow the same path as
arteries.
 Blood supply to major male reproductive
organs
• The femoral artery and femoral vein — two
major blood vessels — travel through the
pelvic bone.
• These vessels transport blood to and from
each leg.
• Arteries and veins branch off from the femoral
artery to supply oxygen-rich blood to the male
reproductive organs.
 Innervations to major female reproductive
organs
• The ovary receives sympathetic innervations
from the upper lumbar spinal segments via
splanchnic nerve fibers and parasympathetic
innervations via the vagus nerves.
• Autonomic axons travel to the ovary via the
ovarian nerve plexus and the superior ovarian
nerve
Innervations to major female reproductive
organs….
• Sympathetic nerves from the inferior
hypogastric plexus supply the uterus and
cervix.
• The pudendal nerve (S2,3,4) suplies the
vagina and pelvic outlet.
• The nerve supply to the vagina is primarily
from the autonomic nervous system.
• Sensory fibers arise from the pudendal nerve,
and pain fibers are from sacral nerve roots.
 Innervations to major male reproductive
organs
• The male reproductive tract receive a visceral
afferent and efferent nerve supply, which is
derived from a group of ganglia near the
spinal cord, the celiac, aortic, caudal
mesenteric, hypogastric, and pelvic ganglia.
• The scrotum and external cremaster muscle
also receive a somatic innervations.
Thanks!!