Unit 9 Learning Aim C
Hormonal control of reproduction
Structure and function of the reproductive organs
Both female and male reproductive organs have internal and external structures. The gonads (ovaries and
testes) are responsible for the production of gamete (sperm and egg cell) and hormone production as they are
the primary reproductive organs. The other reproductive structures and organs are considered secondary
reproductive structures. Secondary organs help gametes grow, mature and develop offspring.
The Female Reproductive System
Fallopian tube Rectouterine
pouch
Ovary
Uterus
Vesicouterine pouch
BladderFornix
Vagina
Urethra Cervix
Clitoris Rectum
Labia minora
Labia majora
Greater vestibular
gland
The female reproductive system functions to
produce gametes and reproductive hormones, like the male reproductive system but has the further task to
develop and bring the fetus to the outside world. The female reproductive system is mainly located inside the
pelvic cavity. The gamete they make is known as an oocyte. In the abdominal cavity, the ligaments hold the
ovaries. Ovary surface is covered with germinal epithelium, which is made from oognia, ovum- producing cells
that divide into primary oocytes by mitosis and distribute into follicle cells. Leading from the ovaries are
Fallopian tubes; lined with finger-like structures called fimbrae (cilia cells). The function of the fimbrae is to
collect the secondary oocyte as it leaves the ovaries during ovulation.
Female reproductive organs
The internal organs of the female reproductive system include ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes and vagina.
Ovaries
The ovaries are solid, oval-shaped structures, about 2 cm in length and 1 cm in width. Like the testes, they
develop from embryonic tissue along the posterior abdominal wall, near the kidneys. They produce the
female gametes and sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. The ovary contains ovarian follicles in which
the eggs develop. Once a follicle is mature, it breaks and the developing egg is ejected from the ovary into the
fallopian tubes. This is known as ovulation.
Uterus
The uterus is a hollow, thick-walled organ situated in the pelvis anterior to the rectum and poster superior to
the bladder; and is responsible for the growth of the embryo and fetus during pregnancy. The inner layer of the
uterus is known as the endometrium. The endometrium consists of a simple columnar epithelial tissue
containing numerous exocrine glands and vascular connective tissue, supporting the growth of the embryo and
the fetus during pregnancy. The myometrium, which consists of interlocking muscle groups, is the largest
This study source was downloaded by 100000821877874 from CourseHero.com on 02-28-2022 12:13:29 GMT -06:00
, middle layer of the uterus and plays an important role during the birth of a baby, thus by contracting
rhythmically to move the baby out of the body through the birth canal (vagina).
Fallopian tubes
The fallopian tubes receive the ovulated oocyte and provide a site for fertilization. The fallopian tubes are a
pair of (10cm) long narrow tubes, which connect the ovaries to the uterus. Ova (egg cells) are transported to
the uterus by the fallopian tubes following ovulation. The fallopian tubes are located in the pelvic cavity and
extend sideways from the corners of the superior edge of the uterus, overcoming the ovaries. The broad
ligament of the uterus and suspensory ligaments support and maintain the Fallopian tubes in alignment with
the uterus and ovaries.
Vagina
Thin-walled tube lying between the bladder and the rectum, extending from the cervix to the exterior of the
body. During sexual intercourse, the vagina receives the penis and semen and also provides a passageway
for menstrual blood flow to leave the body.
External organs of the female reproductive system include:
• Mons pubis: fatty pad over the pubic symphysis.
• Labia majora and minora: folds of skin surrounding the vestibule where urethral and vaginal openings
can be found.
• Clitoris: a small mass of erectile tissue.
• The bulb of vestibule: masses of erectile tissue located on either side of the vaginal opening.
• Perineum: area between the vagina and anus.
The Male Reproductive System
The male reproductive system is composed of external organs. The functions of the male reproductive system
include producing and transporting sperm, ejaculating sperm into the female reproductive tract, and the
production and secretion of male hormones. The testes in the scrotum produce the sperm, the male gamete,
which is ejaculated in the seminal fluid by the penis.
Bladder
Rectum
Pubic bone
Ejaculatory duct
Prostate gland
Urethra Vas
deferens
Cowper’s gland
Penis
Erectile tissue
Epididymis
Testes
Scrotum Urethral opening
Foreskin
Male reproductive organs
The external organs of the male reproductive system include the penis, scrotum, epididymis and
testes.
This study source was downloaded by 100000821877874 from CourseHero.com on 02-28-2022 12:13:29 GMT -06:00
Hormonal control of reproduction
Structure and function of the reproductive organs
Both female and male reproductive organs have internal and external structures. The gonads (ovaries and
testes) are responsible for the production of gamete (sperm and egg cell) and hormone production as they are
the primary reproductive organs. The other reproductive structures and organs are considered secondary
reproductive structures. Secondary organs help gametes grow, mature and develop offspring.
The Female Reproductive System
Fallopian tube Rectouterine
pouch
Ovary
Uterus
Vesicouterine pouch
BladderFornix
Vagina
Urethra Cervix
Clitoris Rectum
Labia minora
Labia majora
Greater vestibular
gland
The female reproductive system functions to
produce gametes and reproductive hormones, like the male reproductive system but has the further task to
develop and bring the fetus to the outside world. The female reproductive system is mainly located inside the
pelvic cavity. The gamete they make is known as an oocyte. In the abdominal cavity, the ligaments hold the
ovaries. Ovary surface is covered with germinal epithelium, which is made from oognia, ovum- producing cells
that divide into primary oocytes by mitosis and distribute into follicle cells. Leading from the ovaries are
Fallopian tubes; lined with finger-like structures called fimbrae (cilia cells). The function of the fimbrae is to
collect the secondary oocyte as it leaves the ovaries during ovulation.
Female reproductive organs
The internal organs of the female reproductive system include ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes and vagina.
Ovaries
The ovaries are solid, oval-shaped structures, about 2 cm in length and 1 cm in width. Like the testes, they
develop from embryonic tissue along the posterior abdominal wall, near the kidneys. They produce the
female gametes and sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. The ovary contains ovarian follicles in which
the eggs develop. Once a follicle is mature, it breaks and the developing egg is ejected from the ovary into the
fallopian tubes. This is known as ovulation.
Uterus
The uterus is a hollow, thick-walled organ situated in the pelvis anterior to the rectum and poster superior to
the bladder; and is responsible for the growth of the embryo and fetus during pregnancy. The inner layer of the
uterus is known as the endometrium. The endometrium consists of a simple columnar epithelial tissue
containing numerous exocrine glands and vascular connective tissue, supporting the growth of the embryo and
the fetus during pregnancy. The myometrium, which consists of interlocking muscle groups, is the largest
This study source was downloaded by 100000821877874 from CourseHero.com on 02-28-2022 12:13:29 GMT -06:00
, middle layer of the uterus and plays an important role during the birth of a baby, thus by contracting
rhythmically to move the baby out of the body through the birth canal (vagina).
Fallopian tubes
The fallopian tubes receive the ovulated oocyte and provide a site for fertilization. The fallopian tubes are a
pair of (10cm) long narrow tubes, which connect the ovaries to the uterus. Ova (egg cells) are transported to
the uterus by the fallopian tubes following ovulation. The fallopian tubes are located in the pelvic cavity and
extend sideways from the corners of the superior edge of the uterus, overcoming the ovaries. The broad
ligament of the uterus and suspensory ligaments support and maintain the Fallopian tubes in alignment with
the uterus and ovaries.
Vagina
Thin-walled tube lying between the bladder and the rectum, extending from the cervix to the exterior of the
body. During sexual intercourse, the vagina receives the penis and semen and also provides a passageway
for menstrual blood flow to leave the body.
External organs of the female reproductive system include:
• Mons pubis: fatty pad over the pubic symphysis.
• Labia majora and minora: folds of skin surrounding the vestibule where urethral and vaginal openings
can be found.
• Clitoris: a small mass of erectile tissue.
• The bulb of vestibule: masses of erectile tissue located on either side of the vaginal opening.
• Perineum: area between the vagina and anus.
The Male Reproductive System
The male reproductive system is composed of external organs. The functions of the male reproductive system
include producing and transporting sperm, ejaculating sperm into the female reproductive tract, and the
production and secretion of male hormones. The testes in the scrotum produce the sperm, the male gamete,
which is ejaculated in the seminal fluid by the penis.
Bladder
Rectum
Pubic bone
Ejaculatory duct
Prostate gland
Urethra Vas
deferens
Cowper’s gland
Penis
Erectile tissue
Epididymis
Testes
Scrotum Urethral opening
Foreskin
Male reproductive organs
The external organs of the male reproductive system include the penis, scrotum, epididymis and
testes.
This study source was downloaded by 100000821877874 from CourseHero.com on 02-28-2022 12:13:29 GMT -06:00
