female reproductive system

Reproductive System
Function:

Anatomy of Male Reproductive System
Major Organs

producing offspring

External Reproductive Organs

propagation of the species

penis and scrotum

!in terms of evolution
– the only reason all the other systems exist

Internal Organs:

only major system that doesn’t work continuously
! only activated at puberty

these structures form continuous tube:
Testes
epididymus vas deferens ejaculatory duct urethra in penis

unlike most other organisms on planet
! mammals only reproduce sexually humans are dieocious
! separate sexed (many animals are monoecious or hermaphrodites) in 7th week of embryonic development genes are activated that trigger differentiation of gonads

Accessory organs seminal vesicles prostate gland bulbourethral glands
1. Penis and Scrotum penis is transfer organ glans prepuce

! expanded head
! foreskin

both have modified sebaceous glands that produce waxy secretion = smegma
1

Human Anatomy & Physiology: Reproductive System; Ziser Lecture Notes, 2013.4

Human Anatomy & Physiology: Reproductive System; Ziser Lecture Notes, 2013.4

a. seminiferous tubules

penis contains erectile tissues that surrounds the urethra

(700’ of seminiferous tubules in testes)

! functions in spermatogenesis:

! fill with blood during sexual arousal

formation and maturation of sperm cells

corpus spongiosum (lower – surrounds urethra) passes along ventral side of penis and encloses urethra
2 coropora cavernosum on dorsal side

2

in cross section: seminiferous tubules appear roughly circular and contain germinal epithelium
(containing germ cells) and sustentacular
(Sertoli) cells

(upper)

Sertoli cells protect germ cells and promote their development

all contain numerous tiny blood sinuses
= lacunae

b. interstitial cells

scrotum keeps testes at cooler temperature

are scattered between the seminiferous tubules

function in hormone