Human is viviparous, i.e. the fertilization is internal and the development is internal.

It gives
birth to young ones. The reproduction process in human include formation of gametes, i.e.,
sperms in male and ovum in females; transfer of sperms into female genital tract and fusion of
sperm and ovum leading to the formation of zygote of fertilized egg. It is followed by cleavage
and formation of blastocyst. The attachment of blastocyst to the wall of uterus, further
embryonic development and finally the delivery of the baby.

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The human male reproductive system consists of a pair of testes present in scrotum, excurrent
ducts; and several accessory glands.

Scrotum :

There is a pair of testes, situated outside the abdominal cavity in a scrotum. The scrotum is
connected with the abdominal cavity through ingunal canals.

the testes are retained in the abdominal cavity is known as cryptorchidism (also
cryptorchism).

The temperature of the testis is 2°–3° C lower than the normal body temperature.

Testicular arteries that descend into the scrotum are surrounded by a plexus of veins, which
ascend from the testis and form a pampiniform plexus.
The arterial blood is cooled by the venous blood by a countercurrent heat-exchange
mechanism.
Testis : Microscopic Anatomy

Each testis is surrounded by a thick connective tissue capsule, called tunica vaginalis,tunica
albuginea, tunica vasculosa
It subdivides it into about 250 compartments, called testicular lobules, each containing 1-4
coiled seminiferous tubules.
Each seminiferous tubule is lined by stratified cuboidal epithelium containing dividing
spermatogenic cells and large non-dividing somatic cells, called Sertoli or sustentacular cells.
The Sertoli cells serve as the supporting and nourishing cells for the spermatogenic cells in
different stages of their differentiation.
The basal lamina of the germinal epithelium, muscle-like myoid cells at the base of the basal
lamina and tight junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells constitute a blood testis barrier.
The seminiferous tubules lie in a mass of loose connective tissue, containing fibroblasts,
muscle-like cells, nerves, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and epithelial cells. This tissue is
known as the interstitial tissue and the epithelial cells as interstitial cells of Leydig.
These cells secrete male steroid hormones, collectively called androgens.

Excurrent Ducts

There is a system of ducts, which help convey the mature sperms with the secretions of the glands to the
exterior.

The mature sperms pass from the seminiferous tubules to the rete testis through straight tubules. The rete
testis is formed by irregular anastomosing network of tubules

12- 15 short tubules, called ductuli efferentes or efferent ductules arise from the rete testis and form a coiled
mass outside the testis, constituting the head of epididymis. All the efferent ductules join into a singular duct
that passes through the middle part of the epididymis,known as the body of epididymis. This duct enlarges to
form the tail of epididymis.

This duct continues further as ductus (vas) deferens opens into the ejaculatory duct.

The ejaculatory ducts enter into the prostate and join to form a single prostatic urethra.

The prostatic urethra then enters into the penis forming a penile urethra.
Glands
The male reproductive system is associated with many accessory glands, whose secretions mix with the
spermatozoa forming a fluid, known as the semen.
The glands consist of a pair of seminal vesicles, a pair of bulbo-urethral (cowper’s) glands and a single prostate
gland.

There is a pair of seminal vesicles, situated just posterior to the bladder above the prostate. The seminal
vesicles secrete a yellowish viscous fluid containing fructose, which serves as the main energy source for
the spermatozoa. This fluid accounts for 60% of the volume of the semen.

There is a single prostate gland, just inferior to the bladder. The two ejaculatory ducts enter into the prostate and
join to form a prostatic urethra. The prostatic urethra receives small ductules from the prostate. The prostate
secretes a thin watery fluid, which contains citric acid, calcium, coagulation proteins, prostate-specific
antigens and an enzyme, fibrinolysin.

There is a pair of small spherical bulbo-urethral glands, whose ductules discharge into the prostatic urethra.
These glands secrete a clear mucous-like fluid that acts as a lubricant. Its secretion precedes the secretion of the
semen.

External Genitalia (Penis)

The penis is an erectile copulatory organ in human male. The slightly swollen free end is known as glans penis,
which is covered by a loose fold of skin, called prepuce.
The penis consists of erectile tissues, comprising of a paired dorsal corpora cavernosa and a single ventral
corpus spongiosum.
The corpus spongiosum extends into the glans penis. The passage through which the spermatozoa pass through
the penis is known as penile urethra, surrounded by the corpus spongiosum.
The corpora cavernosa are surrounded by a thick connective tissue capsule, called the tunica albuginea.
The blood is drained from the testis by two types of veins: a superficial dorsal vein and a deep dorsal vein.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Human female reproductive system consists of a pair of internal ovaries; a pair of uterine or fallopian tubes;
a single uterus; a cervix and a vagina.

Ovary : Microscopic Anatomy

There is a pair of almond-shaped ovaries, situated in the pelvic cavity. Unlike the testes, the ovaries are not
extra-abdominal. A part of the ovary is attached to the broad ligament by a peritoneal fold, the mesovarium.
Another part is attached to the wall of the uterus by an ovarian ligament.

ovary consists of a single surface layer of squamous to cuboidal epithelial cells, constituting the germinal
epithelium

Inner to this layer is a mass of dense irregular connective tissue, called tunica albuginea. Internal to the tunica
albuginea is a cortex. Below the cortex is a highly vascularized connective tissue, called medulla or stroma.

The oogonia divide by mitosis (equational division) in the multiplication phase and then enter into the phase of
maturation through a phase of growth as primary oocytes. The primary oocytes are arrested at the diplotene
stage and remain as such until the onset of puberty.

The primary follicle grows in size and a fluid, known as liquor folliculi (follicular liquid) accumulates
between the granulosa cells. The fluid accumulates in a cavity, called antrum. Follicles with antrum are known
as antral or secondary follicles.

The theca interna cells are now surrounded by several layers of theca externa of stromal origin. This follicle is
known as the mature or graafian follicle. Thus the graafian follicle contains a secondary oocyte.

If fertilization occurs and pregnancy follows, the corpus luteum persists and there is no more menstruation. If
there is no pregnancy, the corpus luteum degenerates into a structure called corpus albicans.

Most ovarian follicles do not reach to maturity. Only one follicle, termed as the dominant follicle progresses
through the usual process of development and the egg is ovulated. Others undergo degeneration or atresia at
one stage of development or other.
Fallopian (Uterine) Tubes

A fallopian (uterine) tube extends from the ovary to the uterus. One end of the fallopian tube opens into the
peritoneal cavity near the ovary. The other end opens into the uterus.

It is divided into four segments: infundibulum; ampulla; isthmus; and interstitial region.

The end, close to the ovary is a funnel shaped infundibulum. The end, close to the ovary is a funnel shaped
infundibulum. The margin of the infundibulum bears finger-shaped processes, called fimbriae

The infundibulum opens into a wider and longer ampulla.

The isthmus is a short and narrow tube, joining the uterine tube to the uterus.

Uterus

The uterus (from Latin "uterus", plural uteri) or womb is a major female hormone-
responsive secondary sex organ of the reproductive system in humans and most other mammals.

The uterus is located within the pelvic region immediately behind and almost overlying the bladder, and in front
of the sigmoid colon.

uterus is pear-shaped and about 7.6 cm (3.0 in) long, 4.5 cm (1.8 in) broad (side to side), and 3.0 cm (1.2 in)
thick.

The uterus can be divided anatomically into four regions: the fundus – the uppermost rounded portion of the
uterus, the corpus (body), the cervix, and the cervical canal.

The uterus has three layers, which together form the uterine wall. From innermost to outermost, these layers are
the endometrium, myometrium, and perimetrium.

The perimetrium is a single layer of squamous epithelial cells. The myometrium consists of thick layers of
smooth muscle. The endometrium is the innermost layer and consists of simple cuboidal to columnar
epithelium.

Functionally, the layer is divided into two layers: the luminal stratum functionalis and the basal stratum
basalis.
The uterine arteries supplying blood to the uterus, break up into arcuate arteries. These arteries spread
circumferentially in the myometrium. Straight and spiral arteries from arcuate arteries supply the
endometrium.

Cervix

The cervix or cervix uteri (Latin, 'neck of the uterus') is the lower part of the uterus.

It is usually 2 to 3 cm long and roughly cylindrical in shape, which changes during pregnancy.

The narrow, central cervical canal runs along its entire length, connecting the uterine cavity and the lumen of
the vagina. The opening into the uterus is called the internal os, and the opening into the vagina is called
the external os.

Vagina

Cervix opens into the tubular vagina. The structures, namely the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes constitute
the accessory sex structures of human female.

The vaginal opening is situated just posterior to the opening of the urethra. Both openings are covered by
longitudinal folds: inner labia minora and outer labia majora.

An erectile organ, the clitoris is situated at the anterior margin of the labia minora.

Accessory Glands

The glands, associated with female reproductive system are known as vestibular glands, which are of two types.

(i) Lesser vestibular or paraurethral glands or glands of Skene : These are numerous minute glands present
on either side of the urethral orifice; homologous to male prostate and secrete mucous.

(ii) Greater vestibular or Bartholin’s glands : These are paired glands, situated on each side of vaginal
orifice; similar to bulbo-urethral or cowper’s gland of male and secrete viscous fluid that supplements
lubrication.