MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 2.

PENIS

FUNCTIONS Parts of the Penis

1. Body – made up of 3 cylindrical masses of
• Production and transport of male gametes (sperm cell)
erectile tissues
• Production of male sex hormone androgen of which
a. corpora cavemosa penis – two in number
testosterone is the most important
- dorsolateral
- contain vascular cavities called venous
sinusoids
b. corpus spongiosum – ventrally located
- contains the spongy urethra
2. Root – proximal portion
a. bulb – expanded base of the corpora cavernosa covered by
bulbospongiosus muscle
- contraction will aid ejection of urine or seminal fluid
b. crura – two tapered portions of the corpora cavernosa
- covered by ischiocavernosus muscle
- contraction maintains erection of the penis
3. Glans penis – expanded distal end of the corpora spongiosa
- contains multiple nerve endings
- urethra at this portion enlarges and form the fossa navicularis
GONADS and terminates on the urethral orifice
• Sexual reproductive organ that produces gametes and sex - prepuce / foreskin folds forward over the glans (removed during
hormones circumcision)
• Male gonad = Testes
GAMETES
• Germinal cells
• Male gametes = sperm cells/spermatozoa
COMPONENT ORGANS
A. EXTERNAL GENITALIA
1. SCROTUM – external sac containing epididymis and part of
vas deferens.
- wall is made up of loose skin and superficial fascia
- wrinkled appearance due to the presence of the dartos muscle
- contraction of the dartos muscle helps regulate the
temperature of the testis
- cold temperature – scrotum is pulled up closer to the body
- warm temperature – scrotum hangs loosely
- Temperature 2-3C lower than the body is required for
production of viable sperm cells. B. INTERNAL GENITALIA
1. TESTIS – testicles
- fetal development
- scrotum descends from the abdominal cavity into the scrotal
sac.
- as it descends, it is partially covered by a portion of the
peritoneum which will become the tunica vaginalis
- subdivided by the tunica albuginea into lobules
- each lobule contains seminiferous tubules
IMPORTANT CELLS IN THE TESTIS 3. ACCESSORY SEX GLANDS
a. spermatogenic cells A. Seminal Vesicles
*sperm-forming cells - about 5 cm
b. Sustentacular cell/sertoli cell - convoluted pouch-like structure lying posterior to base of
* supports and protects spermatogenic cells the urinary bladder and anterior to rectum
c. Interstitial cells of Leydig - secretions – normally constitute 60% of volume of semen
*endocrine cells found in the space in between the seminiferous 1. Alkaline viscous fluid
tubules - neutralizes acidic environment of male urethra and female
reproductive tract that otherwise would inactivate and kill sperm cell.
*secrete male hormone androgen of which testosterone is the
- contains fructose (monosaccharide sugar) – source of energy of
most important.
sperm
2. prostaglandin
- contribute to sperm mobility and viability
- stimulate smooth muscle contraction of female reproductive tract
3. clotting protein
- different from blood clotting protein
- coagulate sperm after ejaculation
B. Prostate Glands
- located inferior to the urinary bladder
- surrounds the prostatic urethra
- can contract like a sponge and squeeze its secretion through
tiny openings into urethra.
2. MALE REPRODUCTIVE DUCT – passageway of sperm
- secretions – milky, slightly acidic fluid; pH 6.5
A. Epididymis – comma shaped organ about 4cm long that lies
1. citric acid → for ATP production → energy of sperm
along the posterior bodies of each testes
2. acid phosphatase – unknown function
- made up of the tightly coiled ductus epididymis
3. proteolytic enzyme – breakdown clotting protein secreted by
1. head – superior portion; joins the ductus efferent is seminal vesicles
2. body – narrow midpart has 5 lobes:
3. tail – inferior portion; continuous with the ductus deferens 1. anterior
B. Ductus deferens/vas deferens 2. posterior – usually affected by prostatic cancer
- dilated continuation of ductus epididymis 3. middle – usually affected by benign prostatic hypertrophy
- about 45 cm long 4. 2 lateral lobes
- passes through the inguinal canal to reach the C. Bulbourethral Glands/ Cowper’s glands
abdominopelvic cavity - paired; about the shape and size of a pea
- loops over ureter, passes over the side and down the - located inferior to the prostate gland – one on each side of
posterior surface of the urinary bladder the membranous urethra
- joins duct of seminal vesicle to form ejaculatory duct - embedded in the urogenital diaphragm
- dilated terminal end is called ampulla - ducts open into the penile urethra
C. Ejaculatory duct - secretion – produced during sexual arousal
- about 2cm long a. alkaline fluid – neutralizes acid from urine in the urethra
- formed by the union of the duct of ampulla of ductus b. mucus – lubricates end of penis and lining of the urethra thus
deferens and the duct of the seminal vesicle decreasing number of sperm damaged during ejaculation

- terminates in the prostatic urethra

D. Urethra
- in males, it serves as passageway of both urine and semen
- about 20cm long made up of
1. prostatic urethra – 2-3 cm long
- widest and most dilatable part
- traverses prostate glands
2. membranous urethra – 1 cm long
- shortest part
- traverses urogenital diaphragm
3. spongy urethra – 15-20 cm long
- longest part
- transverses the corpus spongiosum of the penis
 SPERMIOGENESIS
 Process of cell differentiation by which spermatids become
sperm.
 These involve flattening of the nucleus, formation of an
acrosome, growth of a flagellum (tail) from the basal body,
reorganization of the mitochondria in the mid piece region,
and shedding of unneeded cytoplasm.

SEMEN
- mixture of sperm and seminal fluid
- volume per typical ejaculation = 2.5-5 ml with 50-150 million
sperms/ml of semen (roughly 300-500 million sperm)
-slightly alkaline – 7.2-7.7
- contains seminal plasmin (naturally occurring in the semen),
an antibiotic that destroys certain bacteria in the lower
female reproductive duct once ejaculated, semen coagulates
in 5mins due to the presence of clotting protein from seminal Pathway of spermatozoa from where they are produced to the
vesicles. outside:
- about 10-20 mins, it liquefies due to PSA (prostate specific Coiled seminiferous tubule → tubuli recti → rete testis →
antigen) and other proteolytic enzymes produced by the epididymis → vas deferens → ejaculatory duct → prostatic
prostate glands urethra → membranous urethra → penile urethra → urethral
- abnormal or delayed liquification of clotted semen may orifice
cause complete or partial immobilization of sperm thereby PHYSIOLOGY OF EJACULATION, ERECTION AND EMISSION
inhibiting their movement through the cervix of uterus. Sympathetic
Components: • Stimulate at ejaculation.
1. Seminal Fluid • Enlargement and stiffening of penis
- secretion from the accessory organs • Constricts blood flow through the helicine arteries, allowing
blood to empty from the cavernous tissues.
- prostatic secretion that gives the semen its milky-white
appearance Parasympathetic

- secretions from the seminal vesicle and bulbourethral glands • Erection

gives it a sticky appearance. • Powerful propulsion of semen from urethra to the exterior
• Stimulate during relaxation of muscle of the small helicine
2. Sperm
arteries and adjacent tissues, allowing vessels of the
- 70 micrometer in length, viable in about 72 hours cavernous tissue to fill with blood; the enlarging corpora
-made up of: compress the venous drainage, producing further
a. head contains the: enlargement and turgidity in the three corpora masses.
1. acrosome which has lysosome-like vesicles containing enzymes EMISSION
which aid in penetration of the zonoa pellucida in the secondary - discharge of small volume of semen before ejaculation
oocyte
- may occur during sleep (nocturnal emission)
2. nucleus – contains 23 chromosomes (haploid number)
- peristaltic contractions in the ampulla of ductus deferens,
b. mid-piece – made up of many mitochondria that supplies
ATP to provide energy for movement. seminal vesicle, ejaculating ducts and prostate propel semen into
spongy urethra.
c. tail → typical flagellum → for motility
CLINICAL CORRELATION
SPERMATOGENESIS
1. Circumcision – surgical removal of the prepuce / foreskin
covering glans penis
2. Cryptorchidism – 80% of boys with undescended testis will
spontaneously descend during 1st year of life
- condition in which the testes do not descend into the
scrotum
- if undescended, may result to:
1. sterility
2. possible testicular cancer
- should be surgically corrected prior to 18 months of age.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 2. LABIA MAJORA
- two longitudinal folds of skin just below the mons pubis which
form the lateral border of the vulva.
- pudendal cleft – space enclosed by the labia majora
- covered by pubic hair on the outer side made up of:
abundant adipose/fatty tissue
sebaceous gland
apocrine sudoriferous gland
- homologous to the scrotum
3. LABIA MINORA
- 2 smaller folds of skin within the pudendal cleft
- no pubic hair and fats
FUNCTION: - few sudoriferous gland
1. Production and transport of ovum - many sebaceous glands
2. Production of female sex hormones - vestibule – space enclosed by the labia minora
- progesterone STRUCTURES FOUND WITHIN THE VESTIBULE:
- estrogen a. clitoris
- relaxin b. external urethral orifice (meatus located below the clitoris)
- inhibin c. Paraurethral (skene’s gland) – located on either side of the
3. Nurture of the developing zygote external urethral orifice
PERINIUM -secretes mucus; homologous to prostate gland

- diamond-shaped area medial to the thigh and buttocks of male d. vaginal orifice / introitus – located below external urethral
and female genitalia meatus
- contains the male and female external genitalia and anus - guarded by a highly vascularized thin membrane called hymen

Transverse line drawn between the two ischial tuberosities e. greater vestibular gland (Bartholins gland)
divides the perineum into: - located on either side of vaginal orifice anteriorly, labia minora
a. Urogenital triangle splits into 2 folds around the clitoris
- contains the vulva 1. prepuce – junction of the labia minor above the clitoris
2. frenulum – junction of the labia minora below the clitoris
b. Anal triangle
- contains the anus
4. CLITORIS
- a small cylindrical mass of erectile tissue located at
the anterior junction of the labia minora
- contains many nerve endings
- has corpora cavemosa that fills with blood during
sexual arousal causing clitoris to enlarge
- glans- sensitive exposed portion
- homologous to the glans penis

II. INTERNAL GENITALIA

COMPONENT ORGANS
I. EXTERNAL GENITALIA/VULVA/PUDENDUM
- sex characteristics of female found at the perineum
1. MONS PUBIS
- elevation/mound of fatty tissue that covers the symphysis
pubis
- at puberty, it is covered with coarse pubic hair. Unlike the male
pubic hair which may extend in a thin line up to the navel, female
pubic hair upper limit lines horizontally across the lower abdomen
A. VAGINA
- fibromuscular canal from the extension of the uterine cervix
- lined by mucous membrane
- with series of transverse folds called rugae
- hymen – thin fold of vascularized mucous membrane partially
blocking the orifice
- acidic pH helps prevent proliferation of harmful bacteria
- it forms recess called (fornices) – anterior, lateral and posterior
as it connects to the uterus
B. UTERUS/ WOMB (HYSTER/METRIUM) C. UTERINE TUBES/FALLOPIAN TUBES/SALPHINX/OVIDUCTS
- organ of gestation – houses and nourishes the developing - extend laterally from the superolateral angle of the uterus
embryo
- lie between folds of the broad ligaments of the uterus
- hollow, muscular organ located posterior to the urinary bladder
Functions:
and anterior to the rectum.
- provides a route for sperm to reach an ovum
- leans over the bladder at almost right angles to the vagina
(anteverted) - transport secondary oocyte from ovary to the ampulla of the
uterine tube
PARTS OF UTERUS
a. fundus – dome-shaped upper portion above attachment of fallopian
- site of degeneration of unfertilized oocyte
tube - transport fertilized ovum to be implanted in the endometrium
b. body – tapering middle portion of the uterus.
uterine cavity – interior of the body of uterus Parts:
c. isthmus – a constricted region between body and cervix a. interstitial /intramural – inside uterine wall
d. cervix – inferior portion that is projected into vaginal vault b. Isthmus – short or narrow, more medial thick-walled portion lateral to
Cervix Part: the interstitial part
Internal os (mouth-like opening) – opening into the uterine cavity c. ampulla – widest, longest portion making up about the lateral 2/3 of
External os – opening into the vaginal cavity the oviduct

Cervical canal – connects the internal and external os d. infundibulum – funnel shaped distal portion; ends in a fringe of
fingerlike projections called fimbrae
LAYERS OF THE UTERUS
D. OVARY (OOPHORON)
1. Perimetrium (peri-around; metrium-uterus)
-outer serosal layer - paired; somewhat flattened bodies about the size and shape of
- anteriorly, it covers the urinary bladder and forms a shallow
unshelled almonds
vesicounterine pouch - located one on either side of the uterus
- posteriorly, it covers the rectum and forms a deep rectouterine pouch or Ligaments that hold the ovary in position in the pelvic cavity:
pouch of Douglas a. Mesovarium – part of the broad ligament of the uterus that covers
2. Myometrium (myo-muscle) the ovary
- middle muscular layer b. Ovarian ligament – anchors ovaries to the uterus
- thickest at the fundus and thinnest in the cervix c. Suspensory ligament – attaches ovaries to the pelvic wall
- during labor and childbirth, coordinated contractions of the Histological feature
myometrium in response to oxytocin from posterior pituitary gland helps
1. Ovarian cortex – outer area
expel the fetus at childbirth
-contains follicles at various stage of development
- capable of stretching during pregnancy to accommodate one or more
growing fetus 2. Ovarian medulla – inner area
- contracts also during orgasm.
3. Endometrium
- innermost layer
- specialized mucous membrane
- highly vascularized
- contains the endometrial glands
- every month, estrogen and progesterone build up the endometrium in
preparation for the implantation of the fertilized ovum
- if pregnancy does not occur, menstruation (mensis-month) ensures
breakdown of endometrium
Divided into 2 layers
A. STRATUM FUNCTIONALIS – sloughs of during menstruation
- expelled along with blood and glandular secretion
B. STRATUM BASALIS – basal layers
- permanent layer underneath stratum functionalis
- regenerates and give rise to stratum functionalis after each menstruation.
 b. Uterine menstrual cycle – series of changes in the
III. HORMONES SECRETED BY THE OVARY endometrium of the uterus
1. progesterone and estrogen HORMONAL REGULATION
a. prepares and maintain the endometrium for implantation of 1. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
the fertilized ovum -stimulates the initial secretion of estrogen by the growing
b. prepares the mammary gland for milk secretion follicles.
2. inhibin 2. Luteinizing follicles (LH)
- secreted also by granulosa cell of growing follicle - stimulates the further development of the ovarian follicle and
- inhibits secretion of FSH – follicle stimulating hormone their full secretion of estrogen.
- causes ovulation
3. relaxin
- relaxes uterus by inhibiting contraction of myometrium - promotes formation of corpus luteum that produces
progesterone
- during pregnancy, more is secreted to relax uterine smooth
3. Estrogen
muscle
- helps dilate cervix - secreted by the follicular cells promotes the development and
maintenance of female reproductive structures, secondary sex
OOGENESIS
characteristics and the breast
- the formation of secondary oocytes in the ovaries
4. Progesterone
- secreted mainly by cells of the corpus luteum and acts
synergistically with estrogen to prepare the endometrium for
implantation of the fertilized ovum and the mammary glands for
milk secretion.
Phases of the Female Reproductive Cycle
- Duration of the female reproductive cycle typically is 24-35
days.
- Has 3 phases:
a. Menstrual phase
b. Pre-ovulatory phase
c. Postovulatory phase
A. Menstrual Phase (Menstruation or Menses)
- Lasts for roughly the 1st 5 days of the cycle
- The 1st day of menstruation marks the 1st day of a new cycle
- events in the ovary:
*several small secondary follicles in each ovary begins to enlarge
B. Preovulatory Phase (Proliferative)
- The time between menstruation and ovulation
- This phase is more variable in length than the other phase = 6-13
IV. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE:
days in a 28-day cycle
- encompasses the ovarian and uterine cycles, the hormonal C. Ovulation
changes that regulate them and cyclical changes in the breast and
- The rupture of the mature (Graaffian) follicle with the release of
cervix. the secondary oocytes into the pelvic cavity usually occurs on day
14 in a 28-day cycle.
- After ovulation, the mature follicle in the ovary collapses. Blood
within it forms a clot due to minor bleeding during rupture of the
follicle forming the corpus hemorrhagicum.
D. Postovulatory Phase
- The most constant in duration and lasts for 14 days from day 15
to 28
- Time between ovulation and onset of the next menses
- After ovulation LH secretion stimulates the remnant of the
mature follicle to develop into the corpus luteum
- The corpus luteum secretes increasing quantities of progesterone
and some estrogen
E. MAMMARY GLAND
- Also an organ of the integumentary system
- Lies over the pectoralis major and serratus anterior
a. Ovarian cycle – series of events associated with maturation
muscles
of an oocyte.
- Attached to the muscles by a layer of deep fascia
 - Suspensory ligaments (cooper’s ligament) → strands of
connective tissue between skin and deep fascia that
supports the breast
- These ligaments become looser with age or excessive
strain, as in long term jogging or high impact aerobics –
wearing supportive bra slows down appearance of
“cooper’s droop”
- Made up of:
1. skin, areola, nipple
a. areola – pigmented area around the nipple which enlarges and
darkness during pregnancy
- modified sebaceous gland
b. nipple – contains connective tissue, smooth muscle fiber and sensitive
nerve endings
- exit point of milk
2. Subcutaneous fatty tissue
-amount determines the size of the breast not the lobules
3. Corpus mammae
- made up of 15-20 lobules, each lobule contains smaller compartments
appearing as grape-like clusters called alveoli
- myoeepithelial cells surround the alveoli, contraction of which helps
propel milk toward the nipple
- Mammary ducts/lactiferous ducts – passageway of milk from the
alveoli to the lactiferous sinus
CLINICAL CORRELATION
1. Hysterectomy
- refers to surgical removal of the uterus and is the most
common gynaecological operation
2. Salpingitis
- infection of the uterine tube
- a major cause of infertility in women due to blockage of the
uterine tubes. This can also lead to pelvic inflammatory disease.
3. Tubal ligation
- surgical method of sterilization in female
4. Ectopic pregnancy
- implantation that occurs outside the uterus
- most common site is at the fallopian tube
- due to lack of nourishment and space to develop, the embryo is
discharged through rupture in wall of uterine tube accompanied
by haemorrhage
5. Ovarian cancer – is the 6th most common form cancer in female
and is the leading cause of cancer deaths (excluding breast
cancer)