Skip to content
Quick Guides

Anatomy and Physiology - The Reproductive System

Preview 10 of 44 pages

See the first 10 pages exactly as they appear in the document.

  1. Page 1
    Read page 1 as text

    Study Guide Anatomy and Physiology – The Reproductive System 1. Quiz: What Is Reproduction? 1. Question Sperm and eggs are __________. Answer Choices • gametes • gonads • sex organs Correct Answer gametes Why This Is Correct Sperm and eggs are gametes , meaning they are reproductive sex cells . They carry half the normal number of chromosomes , so when they unite during fertilization, the offspring gets a full set. 2. Question Primary sex organs are the __________. Answer Choices • glands • testes and ovaries • external genitalia

  2. Page 2
    Read page 2 as text

    Study Guide Correct Answer testes and ovaries Why This Is Correct The primary sex organs (gonads) are the testes in males and the ovaries in females . They are responsible for producing: • gametes (sperm or eggs) • sex hormones (like testosterone and estrogen) 2. The Male Reproductive System The male reproductive system is designed to: • produce sperm • store and transport sperm • release sperm during ejaculation • produce male sex hormones (especially testosterone) 1. Scrotum (Protects and Controls Temperature) The scrotum is a sac made of skin and superficial fascia. It hangs from the base of the penis. Inside the scrotum: • a vertical partition called a septum divides it into left and right compartments • each compartment contains one testis Why are testes outside the body? The scrotum holds the testes in a location that is about 3°C lower than body temperature. This cooler environment is necessary for sperm production and storage .

  3. Page 3
    Read page 3 as text

    Study Guide Muscles That Control Scrotum Temperature When the outside environment becomes too cold, the body uses two muscles to reduce heat loss: 1) Dartos Muscle • found in the superficial fascia of the scrotum and septum • made of smooth muscle When it contracts: • the scrotum skin becomes wrinkled • wrinkling thickens the skin • this reduces heat loss 2) Cremaster Muscles • extend from the internal oblique muscle to the scrotum • made of skeletal muscle When they contract: • they lift the scrotum closer to the body • this helps keep the testes warm 2. Testes (Sperm and Testosterone Production) There are two testes (singular: testis ). Each testis has several important structures: Coverings of the Testis Tunica Vaginalis • an outer two - layer serous membrane around each testis Tunica Albuginea • lies inside the tunica vaginalis • forms internal partitions that divide the testis into sections called: lobules

  4. Page 4
    Read page 4 as text

    Study Guide Seminiferous Tubules (Where Sperm Are Made) Inside each lobule are 1 – 4 tightly coiled seminiferous tubules . This is where sperm are produced through spermatogenesis . The seminiferous tubules contain two main cell types: • Spermatogenic cells → develop into sperm • Sustentacular (Sertoli) cells → support and nourish developing sperm The coiled seminiferous tubules join into a straight tube called: tubulus rectus Rete Testis and Sperm Transport Path The tubulus rectus joins to form a network called: • rete testis From there, sperm travel through: • efferent ducts → to the epididymis Interstitial Cells (Testosterone) Between the seminiferous tubules are: interstitial cells They secrete: testosterone and other androgens 3. Epididymis (Maturation and Storage) The epididymis is a comma - shaped structure beside each testis. Each epididymis contains a tightly coiled tube called:

  5. Page 5
    Read page 5 as text

    Study Guide ductus epididymis Functions of epididymis: • sperm mature here • sperm are stored until ejaculation The walls of the ductus epididymis contain stereocilia (microvilli) called: stereocilia These help nourish sperm. During ejaculation: • smooth muscles around the epididymis contract • pushing sperm into the next tube: ductus deferens 4. Ductus Deferens (Vas Deferens) The ductus deferens is the tube that carries sperm away from the epididymis. It: • enters the abdominal cavity • loops around the urinary bladder • joins the duct from the seminal vesicle • and forms the ejaculatory duct Before joining the ejaculatory duct, it widens into a storage area called the: ampulla Sperm can be stored in the ductus deferens until ejaculation. During ejaculation: peristaltic contractions of smooth muscle push sperm forward

  6. Page 6
    Read page 6 as text

    Study Guide 5. Ejaculatory Ducts The ejaculatory ducts are short tubes that connect: ductus deferens → to the urethra 6. Urethra (Carries Urine and Semen) In males, the urethra carries: • U rine • semen (sperm + gland secretions) There are three regions of the male urethra: 1. Prostatic urethra → passes through the prostate gland 2. Membranous urethra → passes through the urogenital diaphragm 3. Spongy (penile) urethra → passes through the penis The urethra ends at the: external urethral orifice 7. Spermatic Cord The spermatic cord connects each testis to the body and passes through the: inguinal canal It contains: • blood vessels • lymphatic vessels • nerves • ductus deferens • cremaster muscle

  7. Page 7
    Read page 7 as text

    Study Guide 8. Accessory Sex Glands (Make Semen Fluid) Accessory glands add secretions to sperm, forming the liquid part of: • S emen • Seminal Vesicles They release an alkaline fluid into the vas deferens. This fluid contains: • fructose → energy for sperm • prostaglandins → increase sperm viability and stimulate uterine contractions (helps sperm travel) The alkaline nature helps neutralize vaginal acidity. Prostate Gland The prostate releases a milky, slightly acidic fluid into the urethra. This fluid contains substances that increase: • sperm mobility • sperm viability Bulbourethral Glands These glands release an alkaline fluid into the: • spongy urethra • This neutralizes any acidic urine in the urethra before ejaculation. 9. Penis (Urination and Sperm Delivery) The penis is a cylindrical organ that: • passes urine • delivers sperm during ejaculation

  8. Page 8
    Read page 8 as text

    Study Guide It has three main parts: • root (attached to the perineum) • body (shaft) • glans penis (enlarged end) The glans is covered by the: prepuce (foreskin) This may be removed surgically in: circumcision 10. Internal Structure of the Penis (Erectile Tissue) Inside the penis are three erectile bodies , each surrounded by: tunica albuginea (fibrous tissue layer) Erectile bodies: Two corpora cavernosa • make up most of the penis volume • base parts are called crura (singular: crus) • crura attach to the urogenital diaphragm One corpus spongiosum • surrounds the urethra • expands at the end to form the glans penis • enlarged base portion is called the bulb of the penis , attached to the urogenital diaphragm

  9. Page 9
    Read page 9 as text

    Study Guide Figure 1. View of the male reproductive system. 11. Erection and Ejaculation (What Controls Them?) Erection Occurs mainly due to the parasympathetic nervous system . Parasympathetic neurons cause:

  10. Page 10
    Read page 10 as text

    Study Guide • dilation of arteries supplying erectile tissue • blood fills corpus cavernosa + corpus spongiosum • veins are compressed → blood stays longer penis becomes erect Ejaculation Occurs mainly due to the sympathetic nervous system . Sympathetic neurons stimulate discharge of: • sperm • gland secretions During ejaculation: the sphincter at the base of the urinary bladder constricts prevents urine from mixing with semen 12. Spermatogenesis (Sperm Production) Inside seminiferous tubules, developing sperm cells are called: spermatogenic cells The least mature cells near the basement membrane are: spermatogonia (stem cells) More mature cells are closer to the lumen, and fully mature sperm are found closest to the lumen. Spermatogenesis begins at: puberty

34 more pages in the full document

Unlock it once and it stays in your library, ready to chat with or turn into flashcards.

Unlock the full document

More Anatomy and Physiology study materials

See all

Study this document with CramX

Once it is in your library, every tool can work from it.