Anatomy of reproductive systems Flashcards
Where does gametogenesis take place in males?
Seminiferous tubules
Function of ductules efferens
Nourish spermatozoa
Cilia help sperm move
Functions of epididymis
- Accumulate, mature and store sperm
- Cilia move sperm
- Smooth muscle for movement
- Proximal: slow rhythmic contractions
Testicular torsion
- Arterial and venous supply/drainage runs with spermatic cord
- Twisting of cord compresses veins and leads to venous infarction
- Require urgent surgery
Function of seminal vesicles
- Fluid produced to help nourish spermatozoa
- Fructose, citrate etc
- Vas enters urethra → passes through prostate
How do you test prostate
Measure PSA or do biopsy
Benign prostatic hypertrophy
Paraurethral gland undergoes nodular hyperplasia - urethra is compressed which leads to urinary retention and hesitancy
Carcinoma of the prostate
Use PSA for monitoring
Most common male cancer
How does cervical cancer develop?
When you menstruate, cervix inverts which exposes epithelium to the vagina - cells undergo metaplasia to become squamous cell because the vagina is acidic
Sx uterine fibroids
Normally asymptomatic
Can cause lower abdominal pressure and bleeding
What is the proliferative phase?
Regulated by oestrogen, glands proliferate but do not secrete until after ovulation - the myometrium increases significantly in thickness
What is the secretory phase?
Regulated by progesterone which drives glandular secretion and proliferation
What happens to blood vessels in secretory phase?
Increased blood flow
Fallopian tube disorders
- CF
- Situs inversus
- Kartagener’s syndrome
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Endometriosis
- Subfertility
- Tubal blockage
- Dilatation of the tube
- Tubal ectopic pregnancy
Function of testes
Production of spermatozoa, support cells for spermatogenesis
Synthesise testosterone in interstitium
