2. Defining the reproductive tracts Flashcards
Reproductive organs function
Both genders: Production, storage and delivery of germ cells
Female: Sustain and support developing foetus/embryo
Components of reproductive system
Gonads
Internal ducts
External genitalia
Female components
Gonads: Ovaries
Internal ducts:
Uterine/fallopian tubes
Uterus
Cervix
Vagina
External genitalia: Vulva (clitoris, vestibule, labia)Ovaries
Location: housed in lateral wall of pelvis, inferior to pelvic inlet
Appearance: ‘Greek olive’ shape
Function: egg production
hormone secretion
Blood: gonadal arteries
and veins
Nerves: ovarian plexus
(abdomen)
Contents of the ovaries
Ovarian cortex:
- Ovarian follicles – germ cells to become ova
- Smooth muscle cells
- Corpus luteum – secretes progesterone
- Theca secrete androgens and granulosa convert to oestrogen
Ovarian medulla:
-blood/lymph vessels and nerves
Female internal duct system
Ova travel - exiting the ovaries, within the abdomen:
- Fallopian tubes
- Uterus
- Cervix
- Vagina
Fallopian tubes structure
- Passageway from ovaries to uterus (passage of ovum)
- Thin 8-10 cm long tube
- Finger-like projections (fimbriae) capture released ovum
- Structurally composed of three areas: infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus
Fallopian tubes function and VAN
Function: inner wall contain cilia that propel ovum
Normally the site of fertilization
VAN:
• branches from uterine+ovarian arteries and veins
• innervation: symp from ovarian (abdomen) and parasymp from pelvic splanchnic n
Uterus structure and function
Body – cone shaped, upper 2/3rd
Cervix – cylindrical, lower 1/3rd
Site of implantation of fertilized egg and foetus development
3 layered wall
- Perimetrium – outer serous wall covering the uterus
- Myometrium – thick muscular layer, responsible for process of parturitium
- Endometrium – inner mucous layer; site of implantation; thickness changes through menstrual cycle
Uterus innervation
Innervation: symp from the hypogastric plexus (along uterine artery); parasymp via the pelvic splanchnic n. Note: also vagina
Touch and Pain (birth): via somatic afferents to S2-S4
Vasculature of female internal ducts
Ovarian vessels
Uterine vessels
Vaginal arteries
Internal pudendal artery
Broad ligament
broad ligament
suspensory ligament
mesosalpinx
ovarian ligament
Cervix
Inferior portion of uterus; cylindrical tube
Thick muscular layer – support developing foetus
Lumen – cervical canal
Constricted openings at ends (os)
- internal – communicating with uterus
- external – communicating with vagina
Vagina
Musculomembranous tube, 7-9 cm long
Link cervix of uterus with vulva (vestibule)
Function: canal for menstruation; receives penis during copulation (semen); forms part of birth canal
VAN: vaginal arteries
List female external genitalia
Mons pubis prepuce clitoris labia majora labia minora urethral opening vaginal opening
What does the labia minora do?
Labia minora encloses the vestibule (openings for vagina and urethra) and the clitoris
Functions of female external genitalia
- Labia – copulatory organ
- Urethra – outflow of urine
- Clitoris – arousal (erectile tissue)
- Bartholin – lubrication of vestibule
Female external genitalia VAN
Blood supply/drainage: pudendal artery (erectile) & vein
Innervation: branches of genitofemoral and pudendal n (e.g. dorsal n of clitoris)
Male reproductive system
Gonads -Testis
Internal ducts:
- Efferent ductules
- Epididymis
- Vas deferens
- Accessory glands (e.g. prostate)
- Urethra
External genitalia:
- Penis
- Scrotum
Testis
Location: housed in scrotum Appearance: small egg-shaped Function: sperm production, hormone secretion Blood: gonadal arteries and veins Nerves: spermatic plexus (abdomen)
Testis contents
250-300 lobules, each with 4 seminiferous tubules:
• Spermatogenic – generate sperm cells
• Sertoli – support germ cell production
Leidig cells (interstitial):
• secrete testosterone
Testis - ducts
Sperm travel – exiting the testis:
• Seminiferous tubules – coiled tubules; sperm is produced
• Rete testis – straight tubules (‘rete’ = net)
• Efferent ductules – ducts leaving (efferent) testis
• Epididymis – transport and storage of sperm
• Vas deferens – thin muscular tube about 45 cm long
Male internal duct system
Sperm travel – entering / within the abdomen:
Spermatic cord suspends testes in scrotum; contains
• vas deferens
• Blood (testicular) and lymphatic vessels
• cremaster muscle
• nerves (e.g. branch of genitofemoral)
Enter abdomen via superficial inguinal ring (then canal)
Deferens travels posteriorly, crosses over external iliacs and towards the back of bladder
Joined by duct seminal gland => ejaculatory duct
VAN: ducts and seminal v
Arteries: those that primarily supply the lower bladder – inferior vesical – and rectum – middle rectal
Venous: blood follow the arteries and so have the same name
Nerves: symp innervation from the splanchnic and hypogastric plexus; parasympathetic from the pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-3)
