Anatomy of the Reproductive tract Part 2: Female and Male Pelvic Organs

Question 1

Uterus, uterine tubes, ovaries

how do the ovaries receive arterial blood supply and what do these branch off of?

Answer 1

• ovarian arteries
• branch directly from the abdominal aorta at L1/L2 vertebral level

Question 2

anatomical relations of the uterus

where does the uterus sit?

Answer 2

in the lesser pelvis, between the bladder and the rectum

Question 3

anatomical relations of the uterus

what forms the 2 pouches either side of the uterus, what are their names and where are each of them between

Answer 3

• parietal peritoneum forms the 2 pouches

Vesicouterine pouch:
- between uterus and bladder

Rectouterine pouch:
- between uterus and rectum

Question 4

peritoneal ligaments

what does the parietal peritoneum create and what does this connect to

think ligaments and pelvic walls

Answer 4

• creates the bread ligament
• connects to lateral pelvis walls

Question 5

peritoneal ligaments

why is the uterus called infraperiotoneal/subperitoneal but the uterine tubes and ovaries are called intraperitoneal?

Answer 5

because uterus is not completely covered by the peritoneum but the uterine tubes and ovaries are completely covered by the peritoneum

Question 6

positions of the uterus

what anatomical positions is the uterus normally in and what structures in the uterus determine each position?

Answer 6

• uterus is usually anteverted and anteflexed
• cervix determines if it is anteverted
• uterine body determines if it is anteflexed

Question 7

vagina and fornices

what is the vagina and what do rugae in the vagina allow

Answer 7

• vagina is a potential space compressed by the bladder and rectum
• rugae allow fro distension of the vaginal canal

Question 8

vagina and fornices

what do proximal aspect of the vagina surrounding the cervix create and where does it open distally?

Answer 8

• proximal aspect creates the fornices (2x lateral, one anterior and one posterior, creating a circle around the cervix)
• opens distally at the vestibule

Question 9

Testes

what is the testes encased in and what are they divided into and what do they contain?

think tuna and algeria for first part

for second part think lobes and tubes that produce sperm

Answer 9

• encased in tunica albuginea
• divided in lobules that contain seminiferous tubules

Question 10

testes

what do seminiferous tubules produce

Answer 10

spermatozoa (sperm)

Question 11

testes

where does the spermatozoa from the testes drain into and then what does this drain into after that

Answer 11

1. drains into rete testis
2. then drains into the epididymis

Question 12

testes

what is the tail of the epididymis continuous with?

Answer 12

continuous with the ductus deferens

Question 13

testes

what vessels provide arterial blood supply to the testes and were do they branch from

Answer 13

the testicular arteries that branch directly from the abdominal aorta at the L1/L2 vertebral level

Question 14

ductus deferens and seminal vesicles

what is the ductus deferens and what 2 things does it pass through?

Answer 14

muscular tube carrying spermatozoa from the testes to the pelvic cavity

• passes through the spermatic cord and the inguinal canal

Question 15

ductus deferens and seminal vesicles

what are the seminal vesicles and what is their function

think glands and bladder and rectum for first part

think alkaline fluid and what it contains for second part

Answer 15

• paireed glands that lie between the bladder and rectum
• do not store sperm, but secrete alkaline fluid containing fructose to nourish spermatozoa (this is 75% of semen)

Question 16

ductus deferens and seminal vesicles

what do the ductus deferens and seminal vesicles join to form?

think ejaculation

Answer 16

join to form ejaculatory duct

Question 17

spermatic cord

what is the function of the spermatic cord

think structures, abdominopelvic cavity and testes

Answer 17

transmits structures between the abdominopelvic cavity and the testes

Question 18

spermatic cord

what are the 4 main contents of hte spermatic cord

think tube the transports sperm, blood supply away from the heart to the testes, blood supply towards the heart from the testes and genital nerves

Answer 18

• ductus deferens
• testicular artery
• testicular veins
• genital branch of genitofemoral nerve

Question 19

prostate

what is the prostate and where is it situated

think fibres and muscles and glands, and semen for first part

for second part, think bladder, pubic symphysis and rectum

Answer 19

• fibromuscluar gland that contributes to 20% of the volume of semen
• situated immediately inferior to the bladder between the pubic symphysis and rectum

Question 20

prostate

what is the prostate divided into in terms of lobes according to the relationship with the urethra and ejaculatory ducts?

Answer 20

divided into:
- anterior lobe
- median lobe
- posterior lobe

Question 21

prostate

how is the prostate divided anatomically (zones) and where is one of the zones found

Answer 21

• peripheral zone (PZ)
• central zone (CZ)
• Transition zone (TZ): zone around urethra

Question 22

prostate

why can people with benign prostatic hypoplasia or prostate enlargement have difficulty urinating?

think where most of these issues occur and what enlargement in this area causes to the urethra

Answer 22

this is because these issues occur mostly in the Transition zone of the prostate, which surrounds the urethra, compressing it and making it harder to urinate

Question 23

Prostate

which zone does prostate cancer mostly occur

Answer 23

in the peripheral zone