2. Defining the reproductive tracts

Question 1

Reproductive organs function

Answer 1

Both genders: Production, storage and delivery of germ cells

Female: Sustain and support developing foetus/embryo

Question 2

Components of reproductive system

Answer 2

Gonads
Internal ducts
External genitalia

Question 3

Female components

Answer 3

Gonads: Ovaries
Internal ducts:
        Uterine/fallopian tubes
	Uterus
	Cervix
	Vagina
External genitalia: Vulva (clitoris, vestibule, labia)

Question 4

Ovaries

Answer 4

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)

Question 5

Contents of the ovaries

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Female internal duct system

Answer 6

Ova travel - exiting the ovaries, within the abdomen:

• Fallopian tubes
• Uterus
• Cervix
• Vagina

Question 7

Fallopian tubes structure

Answer 7

• 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

Question 8

Fallopian tubes function and VAN

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Uterus structure and function

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Uterus innervation

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Vasculature of female internal ducts

Answer 11

Ovarian vessels
Uterine vessels
Vaginal arteries
Internal pudendal artery

Question 12

Broad ligament

Answer 12

broad ligament
suspensory ligament
mesosalpinx
ovarian ligament

Question 13

Cervix

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Vagina

Answer 14

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

Question 15

List female external genitalia

Answer 15

Mons pubis
prepuce
clitoris
labia majora
labia minora
urethral opening
vaginal opening

Question 16

What does the labia minora do?

Answer 16

Labia minora encloses the vestibule (openings for vagina and urethra) and the clitoris

Question 17

Functions of female external genitalia

Answer 17

• Labia – copulatory organ
  
  • Urethra – outflow of urine
  • Clitoris – arousal (erectile tissue)
  • Bartholin – lubrication of vestibule

Question 18

Female external genitalia VAN

Answer 18

Blood supply/drainage: pudendal artery (erectile) & vein

Innervation: branches of genitofemoral and pudendal n (e.g. dorsal n of clitoris)

Question 19

Male reproductive system

Answer 19

Gonads -Testis

Internal ducts:

• Efferent ductules
• Epididymis
• Vas deferens
• Accessory glands (e.g. prostate)
• Urethra

External genitalia:

• Penis
• Scrotum

Question 20

Testis

Answer 20

Location: housed in scrotum
Appearance: small egg-shaped
Function: sperm production, hormone secretion
Blood: gonadal arteries and veins
Nerves: spermatic plexus
(abdomen)

Question 21

Testis contents

Answer 21

250-300 lobules, each with 4 seminiferous tubules:
• Spermatogenic – generate sperm cells
• Sertoli – support germ cell production
Leidig cells (interstitial):
• secrete testosterone

Question 22

Testis - ducts

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Male internal duct system

Answer 23

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

Question 24

VAN: ducts and seminal v

Answer 24

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)

Question 25

Male accessory glands

Answer 25

Deferens duct is joined by accessory glands:
• Seminal vesicles – 5cm elongated organ; just inferior to rectovesical pouch; secretes alkaline fluid + fructose + coagulate
• Prostate – blunt inverted cone; 3 x 4 cm; located at base of bladder; secretes prostatic fluid (20% total volume)
• Bulbourethral glands – pea sized glands; a.k.a. Cowpers glands; located inferior to prostate; secretion assists lubrication of ducts
Blood: Inf vesicle + prostatic vessels (int iliac a)

Question 26

Penis

Answer 26

Organ of copulation and urination

Root, body and glands

Three cylindrical bodies

Erectile tissue

Blood: dorsal and deep a (int pudendal); dorsal v of penis

Nerves: dorsal n of penis (pudendal)

Question 27

Scrotum

Answer 27

Houses testis in cooler environment
smooth (dartos) muscle assists in regulating temperature
Scrotal vessels (pudendal) and genitofemoral nerve