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HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM Male and female reproductive systems are a series of glands and tubes that produce and nurture sex cells, and transport them to the site of fertilization. Organs of the Male Reproductive System The male sex organs are designed to transport sperm to eggs. Primary sex organs (gonads) produce sperm and hormones; accessory sex organs have a supportive function. Testes The testes are ovoid structures suspended by a spermatic cord in the scrotum. Each of the testes is made up of 250 lobules separated by connective tissue; each lobule holds one to four highly coiled seminiferous tubules. Seminiferous tubules are lined with stratified epithelium that gives rise to sperm cells. Interstitial cells lie between the seminiferous tubules and produce the male hormones. Channels leading from the seminiferous tubules carry sperm to the epididymis and vas deferens. A sperm cell has a head containing the haploid nucleus, a midpiece containing mitochondria, and a tail that is a flagellum. At the tip of the head is the acrosome, a bag of digestive enzymes that helps to erode tissues surrounding the female egg cell. ( FIG. 1)

Spermatogenesis In the male embryo, the spermatogenic cells are undifferentiated and are called spermatogonia; each contains 46 chromosomes. During spermatogenesis, spermatogonia to enlarge and become primary spermatocytes. Primary spermatocytes undergo division by meiosis and form haploid secondary spermatocytes with 23 chromosomes. Secondary spermatocytes divide again to form spermatids, each of which matures into a sperm cell.

FIG. 1 SPERM CELL MATURATION

Male Internal Accessory Organs ( FIG.3 ) The accessory organs of the male reproductive tract include the epididymides, vasa deferentia, ejaculatory ducts, urethra, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands. 1- Epididymus Each epididymus is a tightly coiled tube lying adjacent to the testis and leading from the testis to the vas deferens. It is the site of sperm maturation. 2- Vas Deferens The vas deferens is a muscular tube 45 centimeters in length leading from the epididymus up into the body cavity to the ejaculatory duct, where it unites and empties its contents into the urethra. 3- Seminal Vesicle The seminal vesicle is a saclike structure attached to the vas deferens near the base of the urinary bladder. During emission,

seminal vesicles secrete an alkaline fluid containing fructose to nourish sperm and prostaglandins to cause muscular contractions in the female tract to help propel sperm to the egg cell 4- Prostate Gland The prostate gland is a chestnut-shaped structure surrounding the urethra at the base of the urinary bladder. The prostate gland secretes a thin, milky alkaline fluid that both enhances the mobility of sperm cells and neutralizes the acidity of the by-products produced during spermatogenesis and the acidity of the female reproductive tract. 5- Bulbourethral Glands a. The bulbourethral glands are small structures located inferior to the prostate that secrete mucus to lubricate the tip of the penis during sexual arousal. 6- Semen Semen is a combination of sperm cells (120 million per milliliter) and the secretions of the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands.

FIG.2 Structure of the Testes

FIG. 3 male reproductive system

Male External Reproductive Organ The male external reproductive structures are the scrotum, which houses the testes, and the penis. 1- Scrotum The scrotum is a pouch of skin and subcutaneous tissue that houses the testes suspended from the lower abdomen, posterior to the penis. 2- Penis The penis is a cylindrical organ made up of specialized erectile tissue (corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum) and is designed to convey both urine and semen to the outside. The corpus spongiosum enlarges at its distal end to form the glans penis.

Organs of the Female Reproductive System The organs of the female reproductive system are specialized to produce and maintain the eggs cells, to transport these cells to the site of fertilization, to provide a favorable environment for a developing fetus, to give birth, and to produce female sex hormones. A- Internal sexual female organs ( FIG. 5) 1- Ovaries ( FIG. 4 ) The ovaries are solid, ovoid structures located within the lateral pelvic cavity. Ovary Structure The ovaries are subdivided into a medulla and an outer cortex. The medulla is made up of connective tissue, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves. The cortex contains follicles and is covered by cuboidal epithelium. During prenatal development, small groups of cells form millions of primordial follicles, each of which consists of a primary oocyte surrounded by follicular cells. Each Ovary contains about 400,000 PRIMARY FOLLICLES, which are clusters of cells surrounding a single ovum (egg). During her lifetime fewer than 500 Ova (Eggs) will actually be released, averaging one egg about every 28 days. The FUNCTION of a Follicle is to prepare a Single Ovum for release into the part of reproductive system where it can be fertilized. Ova mature within their follicles. The maturing eggs become large, highly complex

cells, growing nearly 75,000 times Larger than Sperm. When a Follicle has completely matured, the Ovum (Egg) is released. THIS PROCESS IS CALLED OVULATION. Ovulation begins at Puberty and USUALLY continues until a female is in her late forties, when MENOPAUSE occurs. After Menopause, Follicle Development no longer occurs and a female is no longer capable of bearing children. Without Follicles, the Ovaries Cannot Secrete enough Estrogen and Progesterone to continue the Menstrual Cycle, and Menstruation ceases. The Follicle literally ruptures, and the Ovum is swept from the Ovary into one of the two fallopian tubes

FIG.4 THE OVARY 2-TWO FALLOPIAN TUBES.

The Fallopian Tubes provide a way for an egg to travel from the Ovary to the Uterus.

3- UTERUS (WOMB)

The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ that is the home to a developing fetus. The uterus is divided into two parts: the cervix, which is the lower part that opens into the vagina, and the main body of the uterus, called the corpus.

4-Vagina

The vagina is a canal that joins the cervix (the lower part of uterus) to the outside of the body. It also is known as the birth canal.

FIG.5 Internal sexual female organs

B- The external sexual female organs ( FIG. 6 ) The External Structures of the Female Reproductive System are collectively called the VULVA.

The main external structures of the female reproductive system include a- Labia majora: The labia majora enclose and protect the other external reproductive organs. After puberty, the labia majora are covered with hair. b- Labia minora: They lie just inside the labia majora, and surround the openings to the vagina and urethra c- Bartholin's glands: These glands are located next to the vaginal opening and produce a fluid (mucus) secretion. d- Clitoris: The two labia minora meet at the clitoris, a small,

sensitive protrusion that is comparable to the penis in males. The clitoris is covered by a fold of skin, called the prepuce, which is similar to the foreskin at the end of the penis. Like the penis, the clitoris is very sensitive to stimulation and can become erect.

FIG.6 THE FEMALE EXTERNAL GENITALIa THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE In females, the interaction of the Reproductive System and the Endocrine System takes the form of a complex series of periodic events called the Menstrual Cycle. The Cycle takes an average of about 28 days. The menstrual cycle has four stages: the follicular phase, ovulation, the luteal phase and menstruation. These Stages are Regulated by the Hormones of the Endocrine System 1- First Stage-THE FOLLICULAR PHASE. the Egg Matures, and the Lining of the Uterus GROWS THICKER, many tiny Blood Vessels grow into the thickened lining, in preparation for receiving a Fertilized Egg. The development of an Egg in this stage of the Cycle takes about 14 DAYS.

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2- The Second Stage, OVULATION, starts about 14 days after the follicular phase started . An egg is swept into a fallopian tube, where it travels toward the uterus awaiting fertilization. The Egg has enough stored nutrients to survive about 48 hours. 3- The Third Stage, LUTEAL PHASE, The luteal phase begins right after ovulation. It lasts about 14 Days and involves the following processes, the Cells of the Ruptured Follicle grow larger and fill the cavity, forming a New Structure called a CORPUS LUTEUM. The Corpus Luteum begins to secrete large amounts of PROGESTERONE and ESTROGEN. The Increase levels cause the Pituitary Gland to stop Secreting LH and FSH. Progesterone causes the lining of the Uterus to become even thicker. The Lining is prepared to receive the Embryo four or five days after the Egg is released from the Ovary. An Embryo that settles into the lining of the uterus, the Corpus Luteum continues to release Hormones that causes the Uterus to maintain its thickened lining. Most of the time, no embryo arrives, and the Corpus Luteum begins to produce Less and Less Estrogen and Progesterone. The Decrease in Levels of Estrogen and Progesterone causes the Blood Vessels in the uterine lining to begin closing and then Break. The Cells of the Uterine lining DO NOT receive adequate blood supply and come loose from the inside of the uterus. The mixture of Blood and the Cells that made up the lining of the uterus is called MENSTRUAL FLUID. The passage of this Fluid through the Vagina and out of the body is called 4- menstruation or the menstrual period the last stage. it usually lasts from three to seven days. at the end of the period, a new cycle beginsthe follicular phase.

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PERINEUM It is a diamond shaped area that is defined by inferior aspect of symphysis pubis anteriorly, ischial tuberosities laterally and coccygeal bone posteriorly .The roof of the perineum is the floor of the pelvis. The imaginary line between the ischial tuberosities divides perineum to two triangles, anterior urogenital and posterior anal triangles. By Dr. Ghassan A Shakkoury