Sperm producing; source of androgens |
Functions of the testes |
Structure of the testis: 2 layered tunics |
Tunica Albugina - fibrous capsule of the testis Tunica Vaginalis - outpocketing of the peritoneum |
involves a kind of cell division limited to the gametes |
Spermatogenesis |
copulatory organ, designed to deliver sperm into female reproductive tract |
Penis |
hang suspended form the perineum, make up external reproductive structure of the male |
Penis and scrotum |
structure of the penis |
root and free shaft that ends in an enlarged tip (glans penis) skin is loose, slides distally to form a cuff called prepuce or foreskin Internally contains spongy urethra and three long cylindrical bodies (corpora) of erectile tissue each covered by a sheath of dense fibrous connective tissue |
the midventral erectile body, surrounds the urethra |
corpus spongiousum |
forms the glans and proximally to form part of the root called |
bulb of the penis |
the paired dorsal erectile bodies, make up most of the penis and are bound by the fibrous tunica albuginea. Proximal ends form |
crura of the penis |
are the epididymis, the ductus deferens, the ejaculatory duct and the urethra |
male accessory ducts |
epididymis |
cup shaped, Its head contains the efferent ductules, caps the superior aspect of the testis. Its body and tail are on the posterolateral aspect of the testis pseudostratified epithelial cells of the duct exhibit long nonmotile microvilli, allows them to absorb excess testicular fluid and pass nutrients to the many sperm stored temporarily in the lumen when sexually stimulated and ejaculates the smooth muscle contracts, expelling sperm into the next segment of the duct system |
are ejaculated from the epididymis |
sperm |
seminiferous tubules |
conveys sperm into the rete testis |
can be stored in the epididymis for several months, if held longer, eventually phagocytized by the epithelial cells |
sperm |
physician makes a small incision into the scrotum and then cuts through and ligates ea ductus deferens, sperm will still be produced, but can no longer reach the body exterior, high effective birth control |
vasectomy |
1) prostatic urethra |
three parts to the urethra |
the portion surrounded by the prostate |
prostatic urethra |
in the urogenital diaphragm |
membranous urethra |
runs through the penis and opens to the outside at the external orfice |
spongy (penile) urethra |
paired seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands and the single prostate, produce the bulk of semen |
accessory glands |
mixed in the ejaculatory duct and enter the prostatic urethra together during ejaculation |
sperm and seminal fluid |
Prostate |
a single doughnut-shaped gland about the size of a peach pit, encircles the urethra just inferior to the bladder |
enters the prostatic urethra via several ducts when prostatic smooth muscle contracts during ejaculating |
prostatic gland secretion |
plays a role in activating sperm and accounts for up to one-thrid of semen volume, its milky white, slightly acidic that contains citrate, several enzymes and prostate specific antigen (PSA) |
prostatic gland secretion |
are pea sized glands inferior to the prostate, produce a thick, clear mucus, some drains into the spongy urethra and lubricates the glans of the penis when a an becomes sexually excited, neutralizes traces of acidic urine in the urethra just prior to ejaculation |
bulbourethral gland |
milky, white, sticky mixture of sperm, testicular fluid and accessory gland secretion |
semen |
in semen decreases the viscosity of mucus guarding the entry if the uterus and stimulate reverse peristalsis in the uterus, facilitating sperm movement through the female reproductive tract |
prostaglandins |
are streamlined cellular "missiles" containing little cytoplasm or stored nutrients |
mature sperm cells |
contains substances that suppress the immune response in the female's reproductive tract, and has antibiotic chemicals that destroy certain bacteria |
semen |
clotting factors found in _____ coagulate it just after ejaculation, causes the sperm to stick to the walls of the vagina and prevent their draining out of the vagina while initially immobile |
semen |
enlargement, and stiffening of the penis, results in engorgement of the erectile bodies with blood |
erection |
erection of the penis is one of the rare examples of |
parasympathetic control of arterioles |
initiated by a variety of sexual stimuli (touching the genital skin, mechanical stimulation of the pressure receptors in the penis, and erotic sights, sounds, and smells) |
erection |
propulsion of semen from the male duct system |
ejaculation |
is the sequence of events in the seminiferous tubules of the testes that produce male gametes (sperm/spermatozoa) |
spermatogenesis |
process begins around age 14 years and continues throughout life, makes about 400 million sperm |
spermatogenesis |
the normal chromosome number in the most body cells is referred to as____ |
diploid chromosomal number |
in humans tis number is 46 and such diploid cells contain 23 pairs of similar chromosomes called |
homologous chromosomes |
the number of chromosomes in human gametes is 23, referred to as the |
haphloid chromosomal number |
gamete formation in both sexes involves |
meiosis |
nuclear division that for the most part occurs only in the gonads |
meiosis |
meiosis |
|
consists of consecutive nuclear division that follow one round of DNA replication, its product is 4 daughter cells instead of 2 each, each w/half as many chromosomes as typical body cells |
meiosis |
meiosis I |
|
reduction division of meiosis; reduces the number from 2n to n; occurs in the testes to produce sperm also occurs in ovaries |
meiosis I |
meiosis I - prophase I |
synapsis occurs: homologous chromosomes come together along with their length to form tetrads |
second unique event called crossovers (chiasmata) are formed w/in each tetrad as the free ends of one maternal and one parental chromatid wrap around each other at one or more points |
synapsis |
allows an exchange of genetic material between the paired maternal and parental chromosomes |
crossover |
meiosis I - crossover |
|
meiosis I - metaphase I |
the tetrads align randomly on the spindle equator in preparation for anaphase |
meiosis I - anaphase I |
sister chromatids (dyads) remain firmly attached, however the homologous chromosomes do separate from each other and the dyads move toward opposite poles of the cell |
meiosis I - telophase I |
nuclear envelops re-form around the chromosomal masses, the spindle breaks down, and the chromatin reappears as telophase and cytokinesis are completed. The 2 daughter cells (now haploid) enter a second interphase-like period, called interkinesis before meiosis II occurs. There is no second replication of DNA before meiosis II |
begins with the products of meiosis I (2 haploid daughter cells) and undergoes a mitosis like nuclear division process referred to as the equational division of meiosis |
meiosis II |
meiosis II |
|
meiosis II - prophase II |
|
meiosis II - metaphase II |
|
meiosis II - anaphase II |
|
meiosis II - telophase II and cytokinesis |
|
4 haploid daughter cells, each genetically different from the original mother cell |
product of meiosis |
spermatogenesis |
|
spermatid into functional sperm |
1) packaging of the acrosomal enzymes by the Golgi apparatus 2) forming the acrosome at the anterior end of the nucleus and positioning the centrioles at the opposite end of the nucleus 3) elaboration of microtubules to form the flagella 4) mitochondrial multiplication and their positioning around the proximal portion of the flagellum 5) sloughing off excess cytoplasm 6) structure of an immature sperm that has just been released from a sustentacular cell 7) structure of a fully mature sperm |
anatomy of sperm |
acrosome - adhering to the top, lysosome is produced by the golgi apparatus and contains the hydrolytic enzymes that enable the sperm to penetrate and enter an egg head - consists almost entirely of it flattened nucleus which contains the compacted DNA midpiece - contains mitochondria spiraled tightly around the microtubules of the tail tail - typical flagellum produced by one centroile near the nucleus, the mitochondria provided the metabolic energy (ATP) needed for the whiplike movements that will propel the sperm along its way in the female reproductive tract |
female sex cells are produced, takes years to complete |
oogenesis |
fetal period, the diploid stem cells of the ovaries, multiply rapidly by mitosis then enters a growth phase and lay in nutrient reserves |
oogonia |
primordial follicles apear as the oogonia are transformed and become surrounded by a single layer of flattened follicle cells |
primary oocytes |
Follicle development |
|
monthly series of events associated with the maturation of an egg is |
the ovarian cycle |
ovarian cycle |
1) activated by a process directed by the oocyte, the squamouslike cells surrounding the primary oocyte grow, becoming cuboidal cells, and oocyte enlarges 2) now called primary follicle 3) primary follicle proliferate, forming stratified epithelium, the follicle cells take on the name granulosa cells 4) a layer of connective tissue condenses around the follicle forming the theca folliculi 5) the fld between the granulosa cells coalesces to form a large fluid filled cavity called the antrum, an event that distinguishes the vesicular follicle from the late secondary follicle 6) ovulation occurs when the ballooning ovary wall ruptures and expels the secondary oocyte, surrounded by its corona radiata 7) ruptured follicle collapses and the antrum fills with clotted blood, if pregnancy does not occur the corpus luteum starts to degrade |
the period of follicle growth, typically indicated as lasting from the first to the fourteenth day of the cycle |
follicular phase |
follicular phase |
|
stimulate growth and maturation of reproductive organs and breasts at puberty, maintain their adult size and function |
estrogen |
promote the proliferative phase of the uterine cycle |
estrogen |
cooperates with estrogen in stimulating growth of breasts |
progesterone |
promote oogenesis and ovulation by stimulating formation of FSH and LH receptors on follicle cells. |
estrogen |
stimulates formation of male reproductive ducts, glands, and external genitalia. |
testosterone |
stimulate production of watery cervical mucus and activity of fimbriae and uterine tube cilia |
estrogen |
promotes the secretory phase of the uterine cycle |
progesterone |
Stimulates capacitation of sperm in the female reproductive tract |
estrogen |
Stimulates production of viscous cervical mucus |
progesterone |
promotes descent of the testes |
testosterone |
during pregnancy, quiets the myometrium and acts with estrogen to cause mammary glans to achieve their mature mil producing state |
progesterone |
stimulates growth and maturation of the internal and external genitalia at puberty; maintains their adult size and function |
testosterone |
during pregnancy stimulate growth of the uterus and enlargement of the external genitalia and mammary glands |
estrogen |
requires for normal spermatogenesis vi effects promoted by ABP, which keeps its concentration high neat spermatogenic cells |
testosterone |
promote long bone growth and feminization of the skeleton |
estrogen |
stimulates the growth spurt at puberty |
testosterone |
inhibit bone reabsorption and then stimulate epiphyseal closure |
estrogen |
promotes increased skeletal and muscle mass during adolescence |
testosterone |
promotes hydration of the skin and female pattern of fat deposit |
estrogen |
promotes growth of the larynx and vocal cords and deepening of the voice |
estrogen |
during pregnancy act with relaxin to induce softening and relaxation of the pelvic ligaments and pubic symphysis |
estrogen |
enhances sebum secretion and hair growth, especially on the face, axillae, genital region, and chest |
testosterone |
stimulates Na reabsorption by the renal tubules, hence inhibit diuresis, enhances HDL |
estrogen |
masculinizes the brain, appears to shape certain regions of the male brain |
testosterone |
promotes diuresis, increase body temperature |
progesterone |
stimulates hematopoiesis, enhance basal metabolic rate |
testosterone |
along with DHEA are partially responsible for female libido |
estrogen |
responsible for libido in males, promotes aggressiveness |
testosterone |
major source: ovary; developing follicles and corpus luteum |
estrogen |
major source: ovary, mainly the corpus luteum |
progesterone |
major source: testes; interstitial cells |
testosterone |
stimulus for release: FSH and LH |
estrogen |
stimulus for release: LH |
progesterone |
stimulus for release: LH and declining levels of inhibition produced by the sustentacular cells |
testosterone |
both negative and positive feedback exerted on anterior pituitary release of gonadotropins |
estrogen |
negative feedback exerted on anterior pituitary release of gonadotropins |
progesterone |
negative feedback suppress release of LH by the anterior pituitary and release of GnRH by the hypothalamus |
testosterone |
ovaries |
ovaries - the pair flank the uterus on each side, held in place by several ligaments within the peritoneal cavity uterus - located in the pelvis, hollow, thick-walled, muscular organ that functions to receive, retain, and nourish a fertilized ovum uterine tubes - (fallopian tubes) form initial part of the female duct system, receive the ovulated oocyte and the site where fertilization occurs, expands as it curves around the ovary, forming ampulla |
anchors the ovary medially to the uterus |
ovarian ligaments |
anchors the ovaries laterally to the pelvic wall |
suspensory ligament |
suspends the ovaries in between |
mesovarium |
each ovary is surrounded externally by a fibrous ____, which in turn covered externally by a layer if cuboidal epithelial cells called the germinal epitherlium |
tunica albuginea |
consists of immature egg |
ovarian follicles |
one layer of squamous like follicle cells surround the oocyte |
primordial follicle |
single layer of cuboidal or columnar follicle cells enclosing the oocyte |
primary follicle |
formed when two or more layers of granulosa cells surround the oocyte |
secondary follicle |
results when small fluid-filled spaces appear in the granulosa cells |
late secondary follicle |
forms when the fluid filled pockets coalesce to form central fluid filled cavity called the antrum |
vesicular or tertiary follicle |
after ovulation the ruptures follicle is transformed into a very different looking glandular structure, eventually degenerates |
corpus luteum |
the rounded region superior to the entrance of the uterine tubes |
fundus |
slightly narrowed region between the body and and the cervix |
isthmus |
narrow neck, or outlet which projects into he vagina inferiorly |
cervix |
cavity of the cervix, communicates with the vagina via the external os and with the cavity of the uterine body via the internal os |
cervical canal |
incomplete outer most serous layer |
perimetrium |
bulky middle layer composed of interlacing bundles of smooth muscles, contracts during childbirth to expel the baby |
myometrium |
mucosal linning of the uterine cavity, young embryo burrows into it and resides there for the rest of its development |
endometrium |
undergoes cyclic changes in respons to blood levels of ovarian hormones and is shed during menstruation (aprox every 28 days) |
stratum functionalis |
forms a new functionalis after menstruation ends, is unresponsive to ovarian hormones |
stratum basalis |
anatomy of the vagina |
Vagina - thin walled tube, lies between the bladder and the rectum and extends into the cervix to the body exterior, provides passageway for delivery of an infant and for menstrual flow, the female organ of copulation mons pubis - fatty rounded area overlying the pubic symphysis, after puberty covered with hair labia majora - hair-covered fatty skin folds, is homologous of the male scrotum labia minora - two thin, hair free skin folds, is homologous to the ventral penis clitoris - protruding structure composed of erectile tissue, homologous to the penis of the male, innervated with sensory nerve endings, becomes swollen with blood and erect, contributing to female's sexual arousal |
include the mons pubis, labia, clitoris, and structures associated with the vestibule |
external genitalia: vulva |
contains the external opening of the urethra and the vagina |
vestibule |
epiphyseal plate closure and termination of skeletal growth in height occurs |
male secondary sex characteristics |
appearance of pubic, axillary and facial hair, enhanced hair growth on the chest, deepening of the voice, skin thickens and becomes oilier, bones grow and increase in density |
male secondary sex characteristics |
anatomy of mammary glands |
modified sweat glands areola - ring of pigmented skin, surround the nipple lobes -15 -25, radiate around and open at the nipple, lobules - contain glandular alveoli that produce milk when a woman is lactating, pass milk into the lactiferous ducts |
Duct System: ductus (vas) deferens |
runs upwards as part of spermatic cord from epididymis, loops over the ureter, descends along bladder wall terminus expands to form ampulla joins with seminal vesicle (a gland) to form ejaculatory duct, empties into the urethra propels sperm into the urethra by peristalsis during ejaculation |
ejaculatory duct and urethra |
enter the prostate, empties into the urethra urethra - terminal portion the male duct system; conveys both urine and semen at different times |
ovarian function declines, ovaries become less responsive to gonadotropin signals, estrogen production declines, menstrual periods become erratic to then cease |
menopause |
Sperm is produced in the _____ of the testes. |
seminiferous tubules |
The number of chromosomes in a human gamete is ____; this is referred to as the _______ chromosome number. |
23; haploid |
Genetic variation of gametes occurs during _____. |
prophase I |
Which of the following female sex hormones is most responsible for estrogenic effects? |
Estradiol |
What is the product of spermatogenesis? |
formation of haploid spermatozoa |
Which of the following organs is NOT a part of the HPG axis? |
posterior pituitary gland |
Formation of a secondary oocyte occurs during _______. |
the follicular phase |
The ________ develop into the male duct system. |
mesonephric ducts |
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the main androgen that is associated with female libido. |
True |
Which of the following is NOT a sexually transmitted bacterial disease? |
genital herpes |
The duct system of the male reproductive system does not include the ________. |
corpus spongiosum |
The dartos and cremaster muscles are important to the integrity of the male reproductive system. Which of the following is true about the role they play? |
They regulate the temperature of the testes. |
The primary function of the testes is to produce testosterone. |
False |
If gametes were diploid like somatic cells, how many chromosomes would the zygote contain? |
twice the diploid number, and with every succeeding generation, the chromosome number would continue to double and normal development could not occur |
The constancy of the chromosome number from one cell generation to the next is maintained through ________. |
meiosis |
Spermiogenesis involves the ________. |
formation of a functional sperm by the stripping away of superfluous cytoplasm |
All of the following can be considered male secondary sex characteristics except the ________. |
development of testes as opposed to ovaries |
Which of the following statements about sperm is not true? |
The sperm midpiece consists of mitochondria spiraled tightly around the contractile filaments of the tail. |
Erection of the penis results from ________. |
a parasympathetic reflex |
Spermatogenesis ________. |
involves a kind of cell division limited to the gametes |
Which of the choices below is not a part of the brain-testicular axis? |
thalamus |
Select the correct statement about testosterone control |
GnRH from the hypothalamus causes FSH and LH release from the anterior pituitary. |
Ovarian follicles contain mature eggs. |
False |
Which is not a part of the proliferative phase of the female menstrual cycle? |
corpus luteum |
Normally menstruation occurs when ________. |
blood levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease |
Which hormone is absolutely necessary for ovulation to occur? |
LH |
All of the following statements referring to the uterine cycle are true except ________. |
FSH and LH directly promote development of the uterine endometrium |
An ovulating oocyte is actually activated by hormones about ________ days before ovulation. |
110 |
The smaller cell produced by oogenesis meiosis I, called the first polar body, is essentially a packet of discarded nuclear material. |
True |
Development of male reproductive structures depends on which of the following events? |
secretion of male hormones prenatally and lasting into the first few months after birth |
The primary function of the uterus is to ___________. |
recieve, retain, and nourish a fertilized ovum |
The structures that receive the ovulated oocyte, providing a site for fertilization, are called _________ |
uterine or fallopian tubes |
erection is the result of vascular spaces in the erectile tissues filling with blood. |
true |
name parts of the proliferative phase of hte female menstrual cycle. |
vesicular follicle growth, development of endometrial cells, and late in this phase, cervical mucus becomes thin and crystalline. |
it is necessary for the testes to be kept below body temperature |
true |
sperm move to the uterine tube through uterine contractions and the energy of their own flagella. what other factor is involved in sperm movement? |
reverse peristalsis of the uterus and uterine tubes |
STDs are the most important cause of reproductive disorders. |
true |
a human egg or sperm contains 23 pairs of chromosomes. |
true |
ovulation occures near the end of the ovarian cycle. |
false |
the corpus luteum secretes progesterone only. |
false |
female orgasm is required for conception. |
false |
the first sign of puberty in females is budding brests. |
true |
The ability of sperm cells to move along the ductus deferens is due to |
Peristaltic contractions |
The ability of a male to ejaculate is due to the action of |
The bulbospongious muscles |
Human papillomavirus. |
Genital warts |
Treponema pallidum |
syphilis |
Urethritis in males. |
Gonorrhea |
Epstein‐Barr virus |
genital herpes |
Organism responsible for approximately half of the diagnosed cases of pelvic inflammatory disease |
chlamydia |
The most important risk for testicular cancer in young males is ________. |
nondescent of the testes |
Which of the following glands are responsible for 60% of the synthesis of semen? |
the seminal vesicles |
Which of the following hormones controls the release of anterior pituitary gonadotropins? |
GnRH |
Development of male reproductive structures depends on which of the following events? |
secretion of male hormones prenatally and lasting into the first few months after birth |
The primary function of the uterus is to ________. |
receive, retain, and nourish a fertilized ovum |
The corpus luteum is ________. |
the ruptured follicle following the ejection of an oocyte from the ovary |
The structures that receive the ovulated oocyte, providing a site for fertilization, are called ________. |
the fallopian tubes |
Which of the following constitutes the female counterpart of the male scrotum? |
labia majora |
Human egg and sperm are similar in that ________. |
they have the same number of chromosomes |
The constancy of the chromosome number from one cell generation to the next is maintained through ________. |
meiosis |
Fertilization generally occurs in the ________. |
fallopian tubes |
All of the following can be considered male secondary sex characteristics except the ________. |
development of testes as opposed to ovaries |
In humans, separation of the cells at the two-cell state following fertilization may lead to the production of twins, which in this case would be ________. |
identical |
Characteristics of the mature sperm include ________. |
the presence of Y chromosomes in approximately half the sperm |
Functions of testosterone include ________. |
facilitation of muscle and skeletal growth in mass |
Effects of estrogen include ________. |
growth of the breasts at puberty |
Secretion of progesterone stimulates ________. |
preparation of the mammary glands for lactation |
Which of the following statements about sperm is not true? |
he sperm midpiece consists of Golgi bodies spiraled tightly around the contractile filaments of the tail. |
The cells that produce testosterone in the testis are called ________. |
interstitial cells |
The testicular cells that construct the blood-testis barrier are the ________. |
sustentacular cells |
Which of the following occurs as a result of undescended testes? |
Inadequate or nonviable sperm will be produced. |
Erection of the penis results from ________. |
a spinal reflex mediated by the parasympathetic nervous system |
Which is not a part of the proliferative phase of the female menstrual cycle? |
corpus luteum |
Select the correct statement about the testis. |
The testis is surrounded by the tunica vaginalis. |
Select the correct statement about male sexual response. |
Erection is the result of vascular spaces in the erectile tissues filling with blood. |
The ovaries ________. |
are surrounded by the tunica albuginea |
Select the correct statement about mammary glands. |
The breasts of most nonpregnant females are composed of fat and connective tissue. |
During the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle ________. |
progesterone levels are at their highest |
Select the correct statement about the uterine cycle. |
If fertilization occurs, the corpus luteum is maintained by a hormone secreted by the developing embryo. |
What mechanism divides the testes into lobules? |
septal extensions of the tunica albuginea |
Which of the following statements is true concerning the mammary glands of both males and females? |
The mammary glands are modified sweat glands that are actually part of the integumentary system |
Normally menstruation occurs when ________. |
blood levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease |
The basic difference between spermatogenesis and oogenesis is that ________. |
in oogenesis, one mature ovum is produced, and in spermatogenesis four mature sperm are produced from the parent cell |
Occasionally three polar bodies are found clinging to the mature ovum. One came from an unequal division of the ovum, but from where did the other two arise? |
The first polar body has also divided to produce two polar bodies. |
Which of the following will occur after ovulation? |
The endometrium enters its secretory phase. |
The seminal vesicles ________. |
produce a yellowish fluid rich in fructose |
The gubernaculum ________. |
is a cord that will guide the descent of the testes |
The brain-testicular axis ________. |
involves FSH and LH release |
Select the correct statement about testosterone control. |
GnRh from the hypothalamus causes FSH and LH release from the anterior pituitary. |
Which of the following is a correct statement about uterine tubes? |
The infundibulum is the funnel-shaped region near the ovary. |
Select the correct statement about the hormonal events of the ovarian cycle. |
High estrogen levels result in a surge of LH release. |
Which of these statements about sexually transmitted diseases is false? |
Genital herpes is caused by a virus that may lead to cervical cancer. |
Which of the following statements about spermatogenesis is not true? |
Each spermatid forms two sperm. |
A boy who has not passed through puberty sustains an injury to his anterior pituitary such that FSH is no longer released, but LH is normal. After he grows to maturity, one would expect that he would ________. |
be sterile |
Which of the following statements about the female reproductive process is not true? |
Rebuilding the endometrium is under the control of prolactin. |
A low secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the normal male adult would cause ________. |
decreased testosterone secretion |
All of the following statements referring to the uterine cycle are true except ________. |
FSH and LH directly promote development of the uterine endometrium |
Which of the following phases or processes in the monthly reproductive cycle of the female occur simultaneously? |
regression of the corpus luteum and a decrease in ovarian progesterone secretion |
The duct system of the male reproductive system includes ________. |
the ductus deferens, a duct that runs from the epididymis up into the pelvic cavity |
Prostate cancer is _______. |
sometimes a slow-growing cancer that may never represent a threat to the patient |
The ________ plexus of testicular veins assists in cooling the testis. |
pampiniform |
Surgical cutting of the ductus deferens as a form of birth control is called a ________. |
vasectomy |
The erectile tissue around the urethra is the corpus ________. |
spongiosum |
The midpiece of the sperm tail contains mostly ________. |
mitochondria |
The ________ cells of the testis nourish the newly formed sperm cells. |
sustentacular |
The suspensory and mesovarium ligaments are part of the ________ ligament. |
broad |
A follicle with only small antrums in it would be classified as a ________ follicle. |
secondary |
The small opening of the uterus that sperm would first enter is called the ________. |
external os |
The portion of the uterine endometrium that is not sloughed off every month is called the ________. |
stratum basalis |
What are some risk factors for developing breast cancer? |
Some of the risk factors for developing breast cancer are: (1) early onset of menses and late menopause; (2) first pregnancy late in life or no pregnancies at all; (3) repeated X rays without proper protection against radiation; (4) cigarette smoking and excessive use of alcohol; (5) a high-fat diet; (6) advanced age; (7) familial history of breast cancer and other cancer histories. |
What is the name given to the female homologue to the penis? |
The female clitoris is homologous to the glans penis of the male. It is homologous in that it contains dorsal erectile columns and can become swollen with blood during tactile stimulation. |
Describe the composition and functional roles of semen. |
Semen is a fluid mixture of sperm and accessory gland secretions (prostate, seminal vesicles, and bulbourethral). The liquid provides a transport medium for nutrients and contains chemicals that protect the sperm and facilitate their movements. |
Explain the function of the myometrium and endometrium. |
The myometrium plays an active role during childbirth when it contracts rhythmically to force the baby out of the motherʹs body. The endometrium is the innermost lining of the uterus where the embryo implants and stays for the rest of its development. |
What signals the corpus luteum to continue producing hormones if the oocyte is fertilized? |
Once the embryo has implanted, it sends out its own hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin, which stimulates the corpus luteum to maintain and even increase its hormone production. |
What is the purpose of the male bulbourethral gland? |
Since it releases its contents prior to ejaculation, its function is probably to neutralize the acids in the vagina. |
What is the physiological importance of the fact that the male testes descend to reside in the scrotal sac? |
The male testes descend into the scrotal sac so that a fairly constant intrascrotal temperature is maintained. Failure of the testes to descend results in sterility, because production of viable spermatozoa requires a temperature several degrees lower than normal body temperature. |
Ovulation occurs when the oocyte is released into the peritoneal cavity. By what means does it usually enter the fallopian tube? |
Fimbriae, which drape over the ovary, become very active close to the time of ovulation and undulate to create currents in the peritoneal fluid. These currents usually carry the oocyte to the uterine tube, where it begins its journey toward the uterus. |
At what point is the sex of the embryo determined, and what determines it? |
Genetic sex is determined at the instant the genes of a sperm combine with those of an ovum. The determining factor is the sex chromosomes each gamete contains. |
Assume that a woman could be an ʺon-demandʺ ovulator like a rabbit, in which copulation stimulates the hypothalamic-AP axis and causes LH release and an oocyte was ovulated and fertilized on day 26 of her 28- day cycle. Why would a successful pregnancy be unlikely at this time? |
A successful pregnancy would be unlikely at this time because progesterone levels have fallen, depriving the endometrium of hormonal support. The endometrial cells begin to die and the integrity of the uterus is compromised. The fertilized egg would not be able to implant in the wall. |
Teresa has been complaining of severe abdominal pain, vaginal discharge, and a low-grade fever. She claims that she does not have a sexually transmitted disease, although the symptoms sound positive. What might be the doctorʹs diagnosis, and how should the condition be treated? |
The symptoms sound like pelvic inflammatory disease, a collective term for any extensive bacterial infection of the pelvic organs, especially the uterus, uterine tubes, or ovaries. PID is most commonly caused by the bacterium that causes gonorrhea, but any bacterium can trigger the infection. Perhaps Teresa was not sexually active and the bacterium was introduced in some way other than through intercourse. Early treatment should include antibiotics (tetracycline or penicillin). |
A 38-year-old male is upset about his low sperm count and visits a ʺpractitionerʺ who commonly advertises his miracle cures of sterility. The practitioner is a quack who treats conditions of low sperm count with megadoses of testosterone. Although his patients experience a huge surge in libido, their sperm count is even lower after hormone treatment. Explain why. |
Megadoses of testosterone would inhibit hypothalamic release of GnRH and may act directly on the anterior pituitary to inhibit gonadotropin (FSH) release. Spermatogenesis is inhibited in the absence of FSH stimulation. |