Unit 11: Reproduction and Development
Unit outline
Part 1: Anatomy and Physiology of the Male Reproductive System
- Scrotum
- Testes
- Structure of formed sperm
- Sperm transport
- The penis
- Sperm release
- Testosterone
- Function of testosterone
Part 2: Anatomy and Physiology of the Female Reproductive System
- External female genitalia
- Vagina
- Ovaries
- The ovarian cycle
- Hormonal control of the ovarian cycle
- The uterine tubes
- The uterus and cervix
- The menstrual cycle
- The breasts
- Pre-implantation embryonic development
- Implantation
- Embryonic membranes
- Germ layers
- Development of the placenta
Part 6: Maternal Changes During Pregnancy, Labour, and Birth
Part 7: Adjustments of the Infant at Birth and Postnatal Stages
Practice Questions
Learning Objectives
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
I. Describe the location, structure and function(s) of the components of the male reproductive system.
II. Describe the male reproductive cycle, including both spermatogenesis and sperm transport.
III. Describe the location, structure and function(s) of each of the following components of the female reproductive system.
IV. Describe the female reproductive cycle, including both oogenesis and preparation of the uterus for pregnancy.
V. Describe the process of fertilization.
VI. Describe embryonic development.
VII. Describe the hormonal control of pregnancy, labour and lactation.
VIII. Name and describe the three stages of labour.
IX. Describe changes in neonatal circulation and respiration after birth.
Learning Objectives and Guiding Questions
At the end of this unit, you should be able to complete all the following tasks, including answering the guiding questions associated with each task.
I. Describe the location, structure and function(s) of each of the following components of the male reproductive system:
- Testes
- Epididymis
- Vas deferens
- Ejaculatory duct
- Urethra
- Seminal vesicles (seminal glands)
- Prostate gland
- Penis
- Bulbourethral gland
- Scrotum
- Seminiferous tubules
II. Describe the male reproductive cycle, including both spermatogenesis and sperm transport.
- Using direct reference to the structures identified in objective I, describe the process of spermatogenesis, including timing and hormonal control of spermatogenesis (FSH, LH and testosterone, refer back to Unit 1 for the roles of FSH and LH), and volume of sperm produced.
- Using direct reference to the structures identified in objective I, sketch the pathway of sperm movement through the male reproductive tract, noting the addition of substances by the associated glands.
- Describe how both the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems are required for sperm release.
III. Describe the location, structure and function(s) of each of the following components of the female reproductive system:
- Ovaries
- Uterine tubes
- Uterus
- Cervix
- Clitoris
- Vagina
- Endometrium
- Myometrium
- Perimetrium
- Bartholin’s glands
IV. Describe the female reprod