Human Reproductive System

(Cat Reproductive at end)

 

I.  Male reproductive system:

 

            A.  Primary sex organs (gonads):  Testes

 

                        1.  Spermatogenesis – process of sperm cell (spermatozoa) production

 

            Note:  Study the microscope slides of the testis showing this process.  See page 515 in your lab manual.

 

                                    a.  seminiferous tubules

                                    b.  spermatogonium (2n, diploid)

                                    c.  primary spermatocyte (2n, diploid)

                                    d.  secondary spermatocyte (n, haploid)

                                    e.  spermatid (n, haploid)

                                    f.  interstitial cells

                                    g. sustentacular cells

                                    h.  spermatozoa – identify the flagellum and head

 

 

            B.  Accessory sex organs of the male reproductive system:

 

                        1.  Sperm-carrying ducts:

 

                                    a.  rete testis

                                    b.  efferent ductules

                                    c.  epididymis

                                    d.  vas deferens

                                    e.  ejaculatory duct

                                    f.  urethra – (identify all three sections)

 

                                                i.  prostatic urethra

                                                ii.  membranous urethra

                                                iii.  penile (spongy) urethra

 

                        2.  Accessory glands of the male reproductive system:

 

                                    a.  seminal vesicles (2)        

                                    b.  prostate gland (1)

                                    c.  bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands (2)

 

                        3.  External genitals:

 

                                    a.  scrotum (scrotal sac) – extension of the abdominal wall; holds testes

                                    b.  penis – 3 regions

 

                                                i.  glans penis – enlarged end of the corpus spongiosum

                                                ii.  shaft (body of the penis) – three “columns” of erectile tissue

                                                iii.  root – attached to the pelvic bone and urogential diaphragm

 

                                    c.  penis – 3 columns of erectile tissue

 

                                                i.  corpora cavernosa (singular – corpus cavernosum) – 2 dorsal columns; at the root of the penis, they diverge to form the crura of the penis and attach to the pelvis

                                                ii.  corpus spongiosum – a single ventral column

                                                            - forms the glans penis anteriorly

                                                            - contains the penile urethra

                                                            - forms the bulb of the penis posteriorly; attaches to the urogenital diaphragm

 

                                    d.  prepuce (foreskin)

 

            C.  Other structures of the male reproductive system:

 

                        1.  Spermatic cord – a group of structures enclosed by a sleeve of fibrous connective tissue that extends from the testis to the abdominal wall.  Structures found within the spermatic cord include the vas deferens, spermatic artery and vein, nerves and lymphatics.

 

                        2.  Inguinal canal – passageway through the abdominal wall for the structures found within the spermatic cord

 

                        3.  Urogenital diaphragm – skeletal muscles making up the floor of the pelvis

 

                        4.  perineum – the floor of the pelvis as seen from outside the body

 

 

II.  Female reproductive system

 

            A.  Primary sex organs (gonads):  Ovaries           

            Note:  Study the slides of the ovary to see the process of oogenesis.  See page 530 in your lab manual.

 

                        1.  Primordial follicles – undeveloped follicles near the surface of the ovary.  Note the primary oocyte surrounded by a layer of follicular (squamous epithelial) cells.

 

                        2.  Primary follicles – Note the oocyte surrounded by several layers of follicle cells and the presence of a clear space, the zona pellucida, between the oocyte and the follicle cells.

 

                        3.  Secondary follicles – Note fluid-filled spaces forming in the follicle.

 

                        4.  Tertiary (Graafian) follicle – This is a mature follicle.  Note the oocyte, zona pellucida, antrum (large space filled with follicular fluid) and corona radiata.  Note also a “stalk” of follicular (granulosa) cells connecting the oocyte and corona radiate to the wall of the follicle.

 

                        5.  Corpus luteum – after ovulation, the ruptured follicle develops into this large, “yellow body” of follicular cells

 

            B.  Accessory sex organs of the female reproductive system:

 

                        1.  uterine tubes (fallopian tubes; oviducts)

 

                                    a.  infundibulum – funnel-like end of the oviduct covering the ovary

                                    b.  fimbriae – finger-like extensions of the infundibulum 

 

                        2.  uterus

 

                                    a.  fundus – dome-shaped upper portion

                                    b.  body

                                    c.  uterine cavity – the space inside the body of the uterus

                                    d.  cervix – narrow, inferior portion of the uterus

                                    e.  cervical canal – the space inside the cervix

                                    f.  internal os – the junction of the uterine cavity and cervical canal

                                    g.  external os (cervical os) – opening of the cervix into the vagina

                                    h.  perimetrium – outer layer of the uterine wall    

                                    i.  myometrium – smooth muscle of the uterine wall

                                    j.  endometrium – epithelial lining of the uterus

 

                        3.  vagina                  

 

                        4. fornix – the space between the cervical wall and the vaginal wall

 

                        5. broad ligament – flat sheet of peritoneum supporting the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus

 

                        6. round ligament –  thickened band of tissue within the broad ligament that travels anteriorly through the inguinal canal

 

                        7.  ovarian ligament – thick band of tissue; attaches ovary to uterus

 

            C.  External genitals (vulva) of the female reproductive system:

 

                        1.  mons pubis – adipose tissue, skin and pubic hair over the symphysis pubis

                        2.  labia majora – folds of skin inferior to the mons pubis

                        3.  labia minora – folds of skin medial to the labia majora

                        4.  clitoris – includes the glans clitoris and body

                        5.  prepuce – foreskin of the clitoris

                        6.  vestibule – cup-like space between the labia minora

                        7.  urethral orifice

                        8.  greater vestibular (Bartholin’s glands)

 

            D.  Other structures of the female reproductive system:

 

                        1.  paraurethral (Skene’s) glands – mucous secreting glands associated with the urethra

                        2.  vaginal orifice

                        3.  hymen – extension of epithelium and connective tissue at the vaginal orifice, partially closing this opening

                        4.  mammary glands

                        5.  perineum – the floor of the pelvis as seen from outside the body

                        6.  placenta – a special endocrine organ of pregnancy

                        7.  urinary structures – ureters; urinary bladder; urethra

                        8.  urogenital diaphragm – skeletal muscles of the pelvic floor

 

 

 

III.  Cat reproduction system

 

            A.  Male cat

 

                        1.  penis

                        2.  glans penis

                        3.  prepuce

                        4.  scrotum

                        5.  spermatic cord

                        6.  inguinal canal

                        7.  vas deferens

                        8.  prostate gland

                        9.  bulbourethral (Cowper’s) gland

                        10.  testis

                        11.  epididymis

                        12.  urogenital aperture

                        13.  urinary structures:  ureters, urinary bladder, urethra

 

            B.  Female cat

 

                        1.  ovary

                        2.  uterine (fallopian) tube

                        3.  uterine horn

                        4.  broad ligament

                        5.  body of the uterus

                        6.  vagina

                        7.  urogenital sinus (vestibule)

                        8.  urogenital aperture

                        9.  urinary structures:  ureters, urinary bladder, urethra

 

 

 

Last Updated:  12/31/2006