Unit 6 REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM Reproductive System Lecture Notes

Transcription

1 Unit 6 REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM Reproductive System Lecture Notes DESCRIBE THE BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM A. Production of offspring a. Gamete: A sex cell i. Female gamete: egg (oocyte) ii. Male gamete: Sperm b. Gonad: An organ that produces gametes i. Female gonad: Ovary ii. Male gonad: Testes B. Production of hormones to help in the maturation process. a. Female sex hormone is largely Estrogen b. Male sex hormone is Testosterone DESCRIBE THE LOCATION, STRUCTURE, AND FUNCTION OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM A. Ovaries 1. Location 1) Two ovaries are located in the pelvic cavity; one on each side of the uterus 2. Structure 1) Each ovary is an oval shaped organ about the size of an unshelled almond. 2) Each ovary contains about 200,000 tiny egg sacs called follicles. In each follicle, there is an immature egg. 3. Functions 1) Produce eggs. The eggs, called immature follicles at this stage, were actually produced before the female was born. Approximately 400,000 were produced, but only around 500 eggs reach maturity. 1. Due to the influence of hormones such as estrogen, an egg will mature each month following puberty 2. The follicle containing the egg will move to the surface of the ovary 3. The follicle then breaks releasing the egg in a process called ovulation 4. The egg then moves into the ovarian tube where it can be fertilized 2) Produce the hormone estrogen which regulates the reproductive system and is responsible for the formation of female secondary sex characteristics Unit Six Reproduction 1 Utah State Office of Education

2 1. Female Secondary Sex Characteristics a. Characteristics associated with the female that are not directly linked to the production of offspring i. Breasts development ii. Broadened pelvis iii. Body hair iv. Increased body fat. B. Uterine Tubes 1. Location 1) Tube extending from (but not attached to) the ovary to the uterus. 2. Structure 1) The ovary side has a funnel-shaped opening to receive the egg 2) The other end is attached to the uterus 3) Cilia lining the tube create a current that helps draw the mature egg into the tube. It also helps to move the egg through the uterine tubes to the uterus. 3. Functions 1) Transport the egg from the ovary to the uterus. 2) Transport the sperm to the egg. 3) Site of fertilization. C. Uterus 1. Location 1) In the pelvic cavity superior to the urinary bladder 2. Structure 1) The uterus is an inverted pear-shaped organ. It is about the size of an orange. 2) There are three sections to the uterus a.fundus i. the top, dome-shaped region, b. Body i. the middle section c. Cervix iii. the neck-like portion that extends into the vagina. 3) There are three layers to the uterus a. Perimetrium i. The outside layer which provides a small amount of protection b. Myometrium i, The middle muscular layer which assists in expelling the fetus from the uterus c. Endometrium i. The inner liningwhere the fertilized egg can implant and develop. If implantation does not occur, the endometrium will deteriorate and is lost during menstruation. Unit Six Reproduction 2 Utah State Office of Education

3 3. Functions 1) The origin of menstrual flow 2) Development of the embryo/fetus. 3) Aids in the expulsion of the fetus during labor. D. Vagina 1) A fibromuscular tube that connects the uterus to the outside of the body. 2) The vaginal orifice (opening) is located between the urethra and the anus. 1) Passageway for menstruation. 2) Serves as the female copulatory organ. 3) Serves as the birth canal during the delivery of the fetus (and the placenta) DESCRIBE THE LOCATION, STRUCTURES, AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM A. Testes 1) The testes are located in a loose, muscular sac called the scrotum. 2) Each testis is made up of small, coiled tubes called seminiferous tubules where the sperm are made. 3) The testes can produce sperm throughout the adult life of the male (beginning at puberty) at the average rate of 30 million sperm per day. 1) Production of sperm (the male gamete) 2) Production of testosterone a. Stimulates the development of secondary sex characteristics in the male i. Body hair ii. Muscle development iii. Deep voice iv. Broadening of shoulders v. Narrowing of hips B. Scrotum 1) Loose, muscular sac which holds the testes. 2) Hangs from the base of the penis Unit Six Reproduction 3 Utah State Office of Education

4 1) Encloses and protects the testes. 2) Maintains a constant temperature about 2 to 3 degrees below normal body temperature for optimal sperm production. C. Epididymis 1) 2 coiled tubes, about 20 feet long are comma shaped. 2) Located posterior and superior to each testes. 2. Function 1) Site of sperm maturation 2) Provides a temporary storage area for the sperm. D. Vas Deferens (Ductus Deferens) 1) 2 Muscular tubules that extend from the epididymis through the abdomen to the urethra. 1) Transportation of sperm from the epididymis to the urethra. E. Prostate Gland 1) A plum-shaped gland located inferior to the urinary bladder and surrounds the urethra. 1) Secretes a large amount of alkaline fluid that helps increase sperm motility and neutralizes the acidic vagina. F. Urethra 1) Tube that leads from the urinary bladder through the prostate gland. 2) Surrounded by the penis. 3) 6-8 inches in length. 1) Passageway for sperm. 2) Passageway for urine DESCRIBE THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM A. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) 1. A collection of physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms related to a woman s menstrual cycle. Women with PMS have symptoms of sufficient severity to interfere with some aspects of life. Such symptoms are usually predictable and occur regularly during the two weeks prior to menses. The symptoms may vanish after the menstrual flow starts, but may continue even after the flow has begun.. The exact symptoms and how severe they are vary Unit Six Reproduction 4 Utah State Office of Education

5 from person to person and from month to month. Most women with premenstrual syndrome experience only a few of the problems. 2. The most common symptoms are: abdominal bloating, abdominal cramping, breast tenderness, itching of the breasts, stress or anxiety, depression, appetite changes and food cravings, trouble falling asleep (insomnia), joint or muscle pain, headache, fatigue (medical), acne, swelling of breasts, trouble concentrating, body temperature increase, and worsening of existing skin disorders. Irritability and anger are often used to describe women with PMS. 3. Treatments include supportive therapy, counseling, aerobic exercise, reduction of caffeine, sugar, and sodium intake and increase of fiber, and adequate rest and sleep. Hormonal interventions have been used in treating PMS. Diuretics have been used to handle water retention. Anti-inflammatory drugs are a very common treatment. B. Endometriosis 1. The presence of the endometrium outside of the uterus. It affects over 5 million women in the United States. 2. The cause of endometriosis seems to be the backflow of menstrual blood. 3. Symptoms include very painful period, heavy periods, chronic abdominal pain, and usually infertility. 4. It may be controlled by the use of birth control pills and surgery may be required to remove the endometrial tissue from organs where it does not belong. C. Breast Cancer 1. Second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Breast cancer occurs in men also, but the number of new cases is small. 2. There are no early stage symptoms so prescreening for early detection is vital. 3. Risk factors of breast cancer include genetics, exposure to radiation, a high fat diet, and having the first baby after age Breast cancer is generally found with routine breast self exams and mammograms. 5. Treatment includes a lumpectomy or a mastectomy and may be followed with chemotherapy and/or radiation. Since the breast has so many lymph nodes nearby, the chances of metastasis are high involving other organs such as the brain, lung, intestines, bone, and liver. D. Cervical Cancer 1. Cancer that begins in the cervix of the uterus 2. Usually caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This virus is passed from person to person through sexual contact. Lack of regular pap smears can also be considered a cause since early stages have no symptoms so screening is vital. Other causes include smoking, having multiple sex partners or women Unit Six Reproduction 5 Utah State Office of Education

6 who have had sex with men who have had multiple partners, using birth control for an extended period of time (5 years or more), and having many children (over 5). 3. As stated earlier early stages have no symptoms. Later stage symptoms include: abnormal vaginal bleeding, increased vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, and pain during intercourse 4. Treatment includes surgery to remove the tumor, radiation, and chemotherapy D. Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy 1. Abnormal growth of prostate cells, but the condition is not cancerous. In benign prostate growth, the prostate undergoes abnormal growth and presses against the urethra and bladder, interfering with the normal flow of urine. 2. Cause is generally age. As they age, most men will develop benign enlargement of the prostate, which may cause severe enough urinary dysfunction to warrant treatment. 3. Treatment includes surgery. Several medications are also available. E. Testicular Cancer 1. Testicular cancer accounts for only 1 percent of all cancers in men. About 7,500 men in the United States are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year. 2. Testicular cancer occurs most often in men between the ages of 15 and 39, and is the most common form of cancer in men between the ages of 20 and 34. It is more common in white men than in black men. Most testicular cancers are found by men themselves. Also, doctors generally examine the testicles during routine physical exams. Between regular checkups, if a man notices anything unusual about his testicles, he should talk with his doctor. 3. Symptoms include: a painless lump or swelling in the testicle, and a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum. 4. Treatment includes an orchiectomy which may be followed by chemotherapy. F. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) 1. A sexually transmitted infection is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission between humans by means of sexual contact, including vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex. A person may be infected, and may potentially infect others, without showing signs of disease. 2. Some STIs can also be transmitted via the needles used in IV drug use, as well as through childbirth or breastfeeding. Sexually transmitted infections have been well known for hundreds of years. 3. The most effective way to prevent sexual transmission of STIs is to avoid contact of body parts or fluids which can lead to transfer. No contact equals no risk. Some STIs have no treatment while others can be treated with medications and antibiotics. Unit Six Reproduction 6 Utah State Office of Education