ch. 16 | the reproductive systems

• gonads: (ovaries & testes) produce gametes & secretes hormones 

MALE:

functions of male reproductive system:

1. testes produce sperm & the male sex hormone testosterone
2. ducts transport/store/assist in maturation of sperm
3. accessory sex glands secrete most of the liquid portion of semen
4. penis contains the urethra, a passageway for ejaculation of semen & excretion of urine 

male reproductive organs:

• foreskin (prepuce) is removed during circumcision
• the spongey (penile) region of the urethra fills with blood, causing an erection 

• sperm production begins during puberty & continues throughout life
• meiosis: cell division that occurs during production of gametes which receive a set of 23 chromosomes each

structure of sperm:

path of sperm through reproductive tract:

FEMALE:
functions:

1. ovaries produce secondary oocytes & hormones (estrogens, inhibin, relaxin, etc.)
2. uterine tubes transport secondary oocyte to uterus & fertilization usually occurs here
3. uterus is site of implantation of fertilized ovum, development of the fetus, & labor
4. vagina receives the penis during sex & is a passageway for childbirth
5. mammary glands synthesize, secrete, & eject milk for nourishment of the newborn  

female reproductive organs:

• labia: hair-free fold of tissue next to the urethral & vaginal orifice 
• there is no tube that sends ovulated oocytes from the ovary directly into the uterine tube

anatomy of breasts:

• lactation: secretion & ejection of milk by the mammary glands

• fertilization must occur while both the egg & sperm are still viable 
• pregnancy lasts from fertilization to delivery (38 weeks)
• due date is calculated from the 1st day of mother's last menstrual period which occurred 2 weeks prior to fertilization
• embryonic period: fertilization-8 weeks
• fetal period: 9 weeks-birth

• zygote: single cell resulting from the union of make & female gametes; fertilized ovum; contains 46 chromosomes (23 from ovum & 23 from sperm)

• labor: process of giving birth in which a fetus is expelled from the uterus through the vagina
• parturition: act of giving birth to young; childbirth/delivery 
• breech position: heads up or sideways orientation 

stages of labor:

• puberty: time of life during which the secondary sex characteristics begin to appear & the capability for sexual reproduction is possible; usually btwn ages 10-17
• menopause: termination of the menstrual cycle