STRUCTURE AND

FUNCTION
THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• REPRODUCTION:
• Reproduction is the mechanism by which the thread of life is
sustained.

• It is the process by which a single cell duplicates its genetic material.

• This allows an organism to grow and repair itself.

• It is the process by which genetic material is passed from generation

to generation
THE FAMILY
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Reproduction maintains the continuation of the species.

• Most organ systems of the body function almost continuously to

maintain the well-being of the individual.

• The reproductive system, however, primarily begins to function at

puberty.
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• DEFINITION OF RELATED TERMS:
• 1. OVULATION:
• It is the rupture of the mature (GRAAFIAN) follicle, with release of the
secondary OOCYTE from the ovary into the pelvic cavity.
• This usually occurs on day 14 in a 28-day cycle.

• 2. FERTILIZATION:
• The process of fertilizing.
• It involves the fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote.
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• 3. GAMETE:
• Mature male or female germ cell, capable of uniting with another of
the opposite sex.

• 4. ZYGOTE:
• A cell resulting from the fusion of two gametes. A fertilized ovum.

• 5. MENARCHE:
• The first occurrence of menstruation.
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• 6. MENSTRUATION:
• Menstruation or period, is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of
a woman’s monthly cycle.
• It is the shedding of blood and partly tissue from the inner lining of the
uterus (womb).

• 7. MENOPAUSE:
• It is the time that marks the end of the menstrual cycles.
• It is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• FUNCTIONS OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
• 1. To produce ova or eggs and sperm cells.

• 2. To transport and sustain these cells.

• 3. To nurture the developing offspring.

• 4. To produce an offspring.
THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
ORGANS
• EXTERNAL GENITALIA:
• a) The Scrotum
• b) The 2 Testes
• c) The Penis

• GENITAL DUCT SYSTEM:

• a) The Epididymis
• b) The Vas Deferens (Ductus Deferens)
• c) The Ejaculatory Ducts.
THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
ORGANS

• ACCESSORY GLANDS:
• a) The Prostate
• b) The 2 Seminal Vesicles
• c) The 2 Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE SCROTUM:
• It is a sac of skin that hangs outside the abdominopelvic cavity.

• The scrotum supports the testes in the male.

• It is covered with sparse hairs and with heavily pigmented skin.

• A midline septum divides the scrotum into right and left halves.
• This provides a compartment for each testis.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• N.B. viable sperm cannot be produced at core body temperature
(36.2⁰C), hence the superficial location of the scrotum.

• The scrotum responds to changes in temperature of the testes by

contraction or relaxation of muscle.

• When the external environment is too cold, the scrotum contracts

and elevates the testes bringing them closer to the pelvic cavity.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• When the external environment is too hot, the scrotum relaxes which
makes the scrotal skin flaccid and loose and causes the testes to
move farther from the pelvic cavity.

• These changes help maintain a fairly constant intrascrotal

temperature.
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE TESTES: (2)
• They are oval-shaped glands called GONADS.
• A gonad is an organ which produces gametes.

• Each testis is surrounded by two tunics as follows:

• a) TUNICA VAGINALIS (outer layer)
• b) TUNICA ALBUGINEA (inner layer)
• Septal extensions of the Tunica Albuginea divide the testis into
multiple compartments or lobules.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Each lobule contain tightly coiled SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES, in which
sperm cells (SPERMATOZOA) are made.
• Lying in the soft connective tissue surrounding the seminiferous
tubules are the INTERSTITIAL CELLS.
• These cells in the testes are responsible for the production of the
male sex hormone (TESTOSTERONE).

• Nerve fibres, blood vessels and lymphatics are enclosed in a

connective tissue sheath called the SPERMATIC CORD.
TESTIS AND SPERMATIC CORD
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE PENIS:
• The penis is the external male organ of copulation.

• It consists of a ROOT, BODY (shaft), and GLANS PENIS (head).

• The root is attached to the pelvic floor.

• The body is the free part of the penis between the root and glans.
• It is suspended from the pubic symphysis.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• The skin covering the penis is loose, and it slides distally to form a cuff
of skin called the PREPUCE or FORESKIN around the glans penis.

• Internally, the penis is composed of three long cylindrical bodies of

erectile tissue called CORPORA.

• Erectile tissue is a spongy network of connective tissue and smooth

muscle with numerous vascular spaces.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• The midventral erectile body is called the CORPUS SPONGIOSUM.

• It surrounds the urethra and expands distally to form the glans.

• The paired dorsal erectile bodies are called the CORPORA

CAVERNOSA.

• They make up most of the penis.

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• The glans penis is the most distal part of the penis.
• It contains the opening of the urethra, termed the EXTERNAL
URETHRAL ORIFICE.
• Expansion of its blood sinuses within erectile tissue, under the
influence of sexual excitation is called erection.

• FUNCTIONS
• 1. The penis is responsible for injecting sperm into the vagina.
• 2. It acts as a conduit for urine and semen to leave the body.
THE PENIS
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE DUCT SYSTEM:
• The duct system of the testes are responsible for the production of,
nourishment, and transportation of sperms.

• THE EPIDIDYMIS
• The epididymis is made up of a head, body and tail.
• The head lies on the superior aspect of the testis.
• The body and tail lie on the posterolateral aspects of the testis.
• The epididymis is the site of sperm maturation and storage.
THE EPIDIDYMIS
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE VAS (DUCTUS) DEFERENS (2)
• The ductus deferens runs upwards as part of the spermatic cord.
• It continues from the epididymis through the inguinal canal into the
pelvic cavity.
• It then arches medially over the ureter and descends along the
posterior aspect of the bladder, where it joins the duct of the seminal
vesicle to form the short EJACULATORY DUCT.
• The vas deferens stores sperm and propels them toward the urethra
during ejaculation.
VAS DEFERENS
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE EJACULATORY DUCTS (2)
• Are formed by the union of the ducts from the SEMINAL VESICLES and
the vas deferens.
• They eject spermatozoa into the prostatic urethra.

• THE SEMINAL VESICLES (2)

• Located posteroinferior to the urinary bladder.
• They secrete an alkaline, viscous fluid that constitutes about 60% of the
volume of semen (sperm and seminal fluid) and contributes to sperm
viability.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE PROSTATE GLAND:
• This is a walnut-sized gland located just below the urinary bladder,
and just in front of the rectum.
• It is chestnut-shaped and surrounds the beginning of the urethra.
• It secretes a milky fluid that nourishes and protects sperms.
• It contributes to sperm motility.
• During ejaculation, the prostate squeezes the fluid into the urethra,
and its expelled with sperm as semen.
THE PROSTATE GLAND
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE BULBOURETHRAL (COWPER’S) GLANDS (2)
• These are 2 pea-shaped glands, located beneath the prostate gland, at
the proximal end of the internal portion of the penis.
• They secrete mucus for lubrication and an alkaline substance that
neutralizes acidic urine in the urethra.

• SEMEN: (seminal fluid)

• It is a mixture of spermatozoa and secretions from accessory sex glands
that provide the fluid for transport, nutrients, and neutralizes the
acidity of the male urethra and female vagina.
BULBOURETHRAL (COWPER’S
GLANDS)
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• SPERMATOGENESIS or formation of sperm:
• Spermatogenesis is the sequence of events in the seminiferous
tubules of the testes that leads to the production of the male gametes
called SPERMATOZOA.

• The process begins during puberty and continues throughout life.

• The process involves cellular division called MEIOSIS.
• Meiosis is a unique kind of nuclear cell division that occurs only
within the gonads.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• The process firstly involves the formation of SPERMATOCYTES.
• Primary spermatocytes are then converted to secondary
spermatocytes during meiosis 1.
• During meiosis 11, secondary spermatocytes become SPERMATIDS.
• Spermatids are then converted to spermatozoa by the process of
SPERMIOGENESIS.

• The resulting sperm has three major regions namely:-

• a) Head b) Midpiece c) Tail.
SPERMATOZOA
THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
ORGANS

• a) THE VULVA (external genitalia).

• b) THE VAGINA.
• c) THE UTERUS (womb).
• d) THE FALLOPIAN TUBES (2) (uterine tubes).
• d) THE OVARIES (2).
• e) THE BREASTS (2) (mammary glands)
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
LOCATION OF FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE VULVA:
• The vulva is a collective term for the external genitalia of the female.
• It consists of the following structures:--
• *Mons Pubis *Labia Majora *Labia Minora *Clitoris

• *Vestibule *Vaginal Orifice *Urethral Orifice *Hymen

• *Bartholin’s Glands *Skene’s Glands.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• MONS PUBIS
• This is a fatty rounded area overlying the pubis symphysis.
• After puberty, this area is covered with pubic hair.

• Running posteriorly from the mons pubis are two elongated, hair-
covered fatty skin folds called the LABIA MAJORA (larger lips).

• The labia majora enclose the LABIA MINORA (smaller lips).

• They are two thin, hair-free skin folds.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• The labia minora enclose a recess called the VESTIBULE.

• The vestibule contains, the external orifice of the urethra and the
opening into the vagina.

• The vaginal opening is flanked by the two BARTHOLIN’S GLANDS.

• These glands release mucus into the vestibule and help to keep it
moist and lubricated.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE CLITORIS
• The clitoris is located just anterior to the vestibule.

• It is a small protruding structure, composed largely of erectile tissue.

• The clitoris is hooded by a skin fold called the PREPUCE.

• The prepuce is formed by the junction of the labia minora folds.

• The clitoris is richly innervated with sensory nerve endings.
STRUCTURES OF THE VULVA
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE VAGINA:
• It is a tubular, thin-walled, fibromuscular organ lined with mucous
membrane thrown into a series of transverse folds called RUGAE.
• The rugae stimulate the penis during intercourse.

• It lies between the urinary bladder anteriorly and the rectum posteriorly.

• The vagina is capable of considerable distension to accomplish its

functions.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• The wall of the vagina consists of three coats as follows:
• a) Outer fibroelastic adventitia.
• b) The smooth muscle muscularis.
• c) The inner mucosa.

• The mucosa is made up of stratified squamous epithelium, adapted to

stand up to friction.

• The vaginal mucosa is lubricated by the cervical mucous glands.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• The epithelial cells of the vagina release large amounts of glycogen.
• The glycogen is metabolized to lactic acid by resident bacteria.

• Consequently , the pH of the vagina is normally quite acidic.

• This acidity helps keep the vagina healthy and free of infection, but it
is also hostile to sperm.

• The upper end of the vaginal canal loosely surrounds the cervix of the
uterus.
THE VAGINA
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• FUNCTIONS OF THE VAGINA:
• 1. The vagina is a passageway for spermatozoa and the menstrual
flow.

• 2. It is the receptacle of the penis during sexual intercourse and is the

female organ of copulation.

• 3. The vagina is the lower portion of the birth canal.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE UTERUS:
• The uterus is situated in the pelvic cavity anterior to the rectum, and
posterosuperior to the bladder.

• It is a hollow thick-walled organ.

• The uterus is flexed anteriorly where it joins the vagina (anteverted).

• It is shaped like an inverted pear.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• The uterus consists of three major portions:

• a) The FUNDUS which is the upper expanded dome-shaped portion.

• b) The BODY which is the major tapering central portion and,

• c) The CERVIX which is the inferior narrow portion opening into the
vagina.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• The cavity of the cervix is called the CERVICAL CANAL.

• It communicates with the vagina via the EXTERNAL OS (mouth), and

with the cavity of the uterine body via the INTERNAL OS.

• The mucosa of the cervical canal contains cervical glands that secrete
a mucus that fills the cervical canal and covers the external os.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• The uterus is supported in position by various anchoring ligaments,
and by muscles of the pelvic floor.

• The walls of the uterus is composed of three layers as follows:

• a) THE PERIMETRIUM
• b) THE MYOMETRIUM
• c) THE ENDOMETRIUM
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• a) The outer PERIMETRIUM of serous visceral peritoneum.

• b) The middle MYOMETRIUM is the bulky middle layer of smooth muscle.

• The myometrium contracts rhythmically during childbirth to expel the baby.

• c) The inner ENDOMETRIUM is the mucosal lining of the uterine cavity.

• It is a simple columnar epithelium which facilitates implantation of the
embryo.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• The endometrium is made up of two chief layers:

• a) The STRATUM BASALIS or basal layer lies deep and is unresponsive

to ovarian hormones.

• b) The STRATUM FUNCTIONALIS or functional layer undergoes cyclic

changes monthly, in response to blood levels of ovarian hormones.
• This layer is shed during menstruation.
THE UTERUS
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• FUNCTIONS OF THE UTERUS:
• a) Transporting spermatozoa

• b) Menstruation

• c) Implantation of a fertilized ovum

• d) Development of a foetus during pregnancy

• e) Labour and expulsion of foetus

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE FALLOPIAN (UTERINE ) TUBES (2):
• They extend laterally from the uterus.

• They are lined with mucosa that are ciliated to facilitate the
movement of the ovum.

• The open distal end of each tube lies close to the ovary and is
surrounded by a fringe of finger-like projections called FIMBRIAE.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• The fimbriae drape over the ovary.

• The fimbriae has little or no contact with the ovaries

• The fimbriae help to carry a secondary oocyte into the fallopian tube
following ovulation.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• The wall of the uterine tubes contains sheets of smooth muscle.

• Microvilli of the mucosa produces a secretion that keeps the oocyte

(and sperm, if present) moist and nourished.

• Externally, the uterine tubes are covered by visceral peritoneum.

• THE UTERINE TUBE IS THE SITE OF FERTILIZATION OF THE OVUM.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE OVARIES:
• The ovaries are the female gonads and are a pair of glands resembling
unshelled almonds in size and shape.
• They lie in the upper pelvic cavity one on each side of the uterus.
• They are maintained in position by a several ligaments.
• Like the testis, the external surface of an ovary is surrounded by a
fibrous TUNICA ALBUGINEA.
• The ovary has an outer cortex and inner medulla.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Embedded in the highly vascular cortex are many tiny sac-like
structures called OVARIAN FOLLICLES.
• Each follicle consists of an immature egg, called an OOCYTE.
• The ovary contain follicles at different stages of maturation namely:
• a) PRIMORDIAL FOLLICLE
• b) PRIMARY FOLLICLE
• c) SECONDARY FOLLICLE
• d) GRAAFIAN or MATURE FOLLICLE
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Each month in adult women, one of the ripening follicles ejects its
oocyte from the ovary.
• This event is called OVULATION.
• After ovulation, the ruptured follicle is transformed into a structure
called the CORPUS LUTEUM.

• The ovaries secrete the female sex hormones ESTROGENS and

PROGESTERONE.
THE UTERUS/FALLOPIAN
TUBES/OVARIES
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE PERINEUM:
• The perineum is the diamond-shaped area between the thighs and
buttocks of both males and females.

• It is the space between the anus and scrotum in the male.

• It is the space between the anus and the vulva in the female.

• The perineal region is stretched during childbirth as the foetal head

stretches the vaginal epithelium.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE MAMMARY GLANDS (BREASTS):
• The mammary glands are present in both sexes, but normally function
ONLY in females

• The mammary glands are modified sudoriferous (sweat) glands.

• They lie on the chest and are attached to the PECTORAL MUSCLES by
a layer of connective tissue.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Each breast internally consists of 15 to 20 lobes separated by adipose
tissue.
• The amount of adipose tissue determines the size of the breasts.
• The lobes radiate around and open at the nipple.

• Each lobe consists of smaller lobules in which milk-secreting cells

called ALVEOLI are embedded.

• The alveoli are arranged in grape-like clusters.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Alveoli convey the milk through a series of small tubes into mammary
ducts which expand to form LACTIFEROUS SINUSES.
• The sinuses store milk and continue as lactiferous ducts.
• These ducts terminate in the NIPPLE.

• The circular pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple is called

the AREOLA.
• The areola appears rough because it contains modified sebaceous
(oil) glands.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• The development of the breasts is dependent on the hormones

oestrogens and progesterone.

• Milk secretion is mainly due to the hormone PROLACTIN and milk

ejection is stimulated by the hormone OXYTOCIN.

• The function of the mammary glands is to secrete and eject milk

(lactation).
THE BREAST
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• OOGENESIS production of female sex cells:
• The time span during which a female releases her eggs extends from
puberty to menopause.
• These sex cells are produced by specialized nuclear cell division called
MEIOSIS in the ovaries.
• The process of oogenesis takes years to complete.
• First in the foetal period OOGONIA, the stem germ cells of the ovaries
multiply rapidly by mitosis.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• As the oogonia are transformed into PRIMARY OOCYTES, primordial
follicles begin to appear.
• By birth, a female’s lifetime number of primary oocytes are
approximately 400,000.
• Beginning at puberty, a small number of primary oocytes are
activated each month.
• However, only one is selected to continue meiosis 1, that leads to the
production of the secondary oocyte.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE OVARIAN CYCLE:
• The monthly series of events associated with the maturation of an
egg is called the ovarian cycle.

• The ovarian cycle consists of two consecutive phases:-

• a) FOLLICULAR PHASE
• b) LUTEAL PHASE
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE FOLLICULAR PHASE is the period of follicular growth, typically
from the first to the fourteenth day of the cycle.

• It is the maturation of a primordial follicle to the mature state as

follows:
• a) A primordial follicle becomes a primary follicle.
• b) A primary follicle becomes a secondary follicle and commences
the release of oestrogens.
• c) A secondary follicle becomes graafian or mature follicle.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• OVULATION:
• Ovulation occurs when the mature follicle ruptures and expels the
secondary oocyte into the peritoneal cavity.
• THE LUTEAL PHASE is the period of CORPUS LUTEUM activity, days
14-28.
• After ovulation, the site of rupture forms the corpus luteum which
begins to secrete the hormone PROGESTERONE and some oestrogen.
• The typical ovarian cycle repeats at intervals of 28 days with ovulation
occurring midcycle.
THE OVARIAN CYCLE
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE:
• The function of the menstrual cycle is to prepare the endometrium
each month for the reception of a fertilized ovum.
• A series of changes take place in the endometrium of a non-pregnant
female.
• The fertilized ovum eventually normally develops into an embryo and
then into a fetus until delivery.
• If no fertilization occurs, THE STRATUM FUNCTIONALIS portion of the
endometrium is shed.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• STAGES OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE:
• The average duration of the menstrual cycle is 28 days.

• Events occurring during the menstrual cycle may be divided into three
phases namely:--
• 1. MENSTRUAL PHASE
• 2. PROLIFERATIVE (Preovulatory or Follicular) PHASE
• 3. SECRETORY (Postovulatory or Luteal ) PHASE
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• MENSTRUAL PHASE:
• The menstrual phase is also called menstruation or the menses.
• It is the periodic discharge of blood, tissue fluid, mucus and epithelial
cells from the endometrium.
• It is caused by a sudden reduction in estrogens and progesterone.
• It lasts for approximately from days 1-5 of the cycle.
• Only the functional layer of the endometrium is shed.
• The basal layer remains intact
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• PROLIFERATIVE PHASE:
• It is the second phase and is the time between menstruation and
ovulation.
• This phase is more variable in length than the other phases.
• It lasts from days 6 to 13 in a 28-day cycle.

• The FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE and LUTEINIZING HORMONE

secreted by the Anterior lobe of the Pituitary Gland, stimulate the
ovarian follicles to produce more estrogens.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• The increase in estrogens stimulates the repair of the endometrium.
• A new stratum functionalis is produced.
• As a result, the endometrium thickens as the endometrial cells
proliferate, and is well vascularized.
• The Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is the dominant hormone
during this phase.
• The Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is secreted in increasing quantities
close to the time of ovulation.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• SECRETORY PHASE:
• It is the most constant in duration.
• It lasts from day 15 to 28 in a 28-day cycle.
• In this phase, the endometrium prepares for implantation of an
embryo.
• It represents the time between ovulation and the onset of the next
menses.
• Following ovulation, the corpus luteum secretes progesterone and
estrogens under the influence of the Luteinizing Hormone.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
• Progesterone is responsible for preparing the endometrium to receive
a fertilized ovum.

• This causes further thickening of the endometrium.

• If fertilization and implantation do not occur, the levels of estrogens

and progesterone eventually decrease leading to another period
(menstrual phase).
THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• QUESTIONS?????