Anatomy

Question 1

What is the function of the ovary? Describe its general anatomy.

Answer 1

Produces gametes (exocrine function) and hormones (endocrine function - O+P).

Almond shaped with a pitted and scarred surface after ‘healing’ when an egg is released. Around 3cm in younger females but smaller in older.

Question 2

What artery supplies the ovary?

Answer 2

Ovarian from aorta at the level of the renal artery.

Question 3

What vein drains the ovary?

Answer 3

Ovarian vein to IVC on right and left renal vein on left.

Question 4

Where does lymph from the ovary drain?

Answer 4

Aortic nodes at the level of renal vessels.

Question 5

What ligaments suspend the female reproductive tract?

Answer 5

BROAD LIGAMENT
Double layer of peritoneum. Has mesovarium, mesosalpinx (uterine tube) and mesometrium.

OVARIAN LIGAMENT
Fibrous cord that links ovary to uterus.

SUSPENSORY LIGAMENT OF THE OVARY
From the lateral wall of the pelvis to ovary. Carries the ovarian vessels.

Question 6

Name the peritoneal reflection in the female reproductive tract. Why are they important?

Answer 6

Rectouterine and Uterovesical pouch.

Important as may be a sit of infection or endometriosis.

Question 7

How long are the uterine tubes?

Answer 7

13cm

Question 8

Name the parts of the uterine tube and their function.

Answer 8

Infundibulum: Funnel shaped opening to the periteoneal cavity fringed by fimbrae.

Ampulla: Middle section where fertilisation usually occurs.

Isthmus: Short narrow section connected to the uterine wall.

Uterine part.

Question 9

Describe the shape of the uterus?

Answer 9

Inverted pear shape, flattened from front to back.

Question 10

Define anteflexion and anteversion in relation to the uterus?
What is the opposite?

Answer 10

Anteflexion: Body of uterus is bent forward on the cervix.
Anteversion: Whole uterus is bent forward at a right angle to the vagina.

Around 20% of females show retroflexion and retroversion.

Question 11

Name the parts of the uterus.

Answer 11

Body
Cervix: Cervical canal, internal and external os.
Fundus: Projects above the level of the uterine tubes.
Isthmus: Narrowing between body and cervix.

Question 12

What artery supplies the uterus?

Answer 12

Uterine artery from the internal iliac artery.

Question 13

What vein drains the uterus?

Answer 13

Uterine vein to internal iliac vein.

Question 14

Where does lymph from the uterus drain?

Answer 14

Body to para-aortic nodes.

Cervix to internal iliac nodes.

Question 15

Name the walls of the scrotum?

Answer 15

Skin 
Dartos muscle (smooth muscle that crinkles the skin)
External spermatic fascia
Cremaster fascia
Internal spermatic fascia.

Question 16

Name and describe the layers of the testis?

Answer 16

CREMASTER MUSCLE
Skeletal muscle deep to the dermis that runs in the spermatic cord. It contracts in colder weather to raise testes via the cremaster reflex.

TUNICA VAGINALIS
A closed sac of peritoneum. Has visceral and parietal layers, the space between which has a film of perionteal fluid.

SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES
Where sperm is made. They are arranged in lobules. The lobule ends with a straight tubule and all straight tubules join to the rete testis. Efferent ductules leave the rete testis to join the epidiymis.

Question 17

What is caused by excess fluid in the tunica vaginalis?

Answer 17

A Hydrocoele.

Question 18

Describe the epididymis?

Answer 18

Highly coiled tube continuous with the ductus deferns. Has a head, body and tail.
Lined by psuedostratified columar epithelia with stereocilia.

Question 19

What is the function of the stereocilia in the epididymis?

Answer 19

Increased surface area for fluid absorption.

Can monitor and adjust fluid composition.

Question 20

Describe the muscle in the wall of the ductus deferens?

Answer 20

Smooth muscle that contracts by peristalsis.

Question 21

How long is the ductus deferns?

Answer 21

45cm.

Question 22

Where does the ductus deferns run?

Answer 22

In the spermatic cord and through the inguinal canal.

Question 23

Where do the seminal vesicles meet the ductus deferns?

Answer 23

The ductus deferns enlarges at the end (ampulla) and attaches to the seminal vesicles (they are an outpouching of the ductus).

Question 24

What do the seminal vesicles secrete?

Answer 24

an alkaline viscous fluid which helps neutralise the vagina.
It also contains fructose for ATP production by sperm.
Also contains prostaglandins which aid in sperm motility and viability - thought to also stimulate muscle contraction in the female?

Question 25

What is the ejaculatory duct?

Answer 25

Duct of the seminal vesicle that joins with the ductus deferens. It penetrates the prostate and empties into the urethra.

Question 26

What does the prostate secrete?

Answer 26

A slightly acidic fluid containing citrate for sperm ATP production, acid phosphotase and proteolytic enzymes which liquify coagulated sperm.

Question 27

How do prostatic secretions reach the urethra?

Answer 27

Through many prostate ducts.

Question 28

What is the function of the bulbourethral glands?

Answer 28

Produce a mucous like secretion to lubricate the urethra and neutralise any urine left in it.

Question 29

Where do the bulbo-urethral glands empty to?

Answer 29

The spongy urethra.

Question 30

What artery supplies the testis?

Answer 30

Testicular artery from aorta.

Question 31

What vein drains the testis?

Answer 31

Pamipniform plexus -> testicular vein -> IVC on right, Renal vein on left.

Question 32

Where does lymph from the testes and scrotum drain?

Answer 32

Testes to para-aortic nodes.

Scrotum to inguinal nodes.

Question 33

Name the parts of the male urethra?

Answer 33

Preprostatic
Prostatic
Membranous
Spongy.