Case 14- Hormones and Anatomy Flashcards
Stages of the ovarian cycle
- Day 0-14= follicular phase, there are developmental follicles. It is the initiation of menstruation. It lasts 14 days and is the most variable part of the cycle
- Day 14= Ovulation, release of a mature ovum
- Days 14-28= Luteal phase, when the corpus luteum is formed. In the late Luteal phase there is low ovarium hormone production which causes GnRH to act on the anterior pituitary causing the release of FSH and LH.
FSH/LH and oestrogen
There is an increase of FSH at day 0 of the ovarian cycle which is needed for the development and recruitment of follicles. The follicles produce oestrogen. As oestrogen secretion increases, FSH secretion decreases through negative feedback. Oestrogen normally inhibits LH secretion by negative feedback to the anterior pituitary via GnRH. When Oestrogen levels are high it acts on a different set of receptors called GnRH2 which increase LH production by positive feedback
Hormone levels through the menstrual cycle
- FSH conc increases due to a low oestrogen conc (day 0)
- This stimulates follicular growth
- These follicles release oestrogen
- At day ~11 there is a peak in oestrogen conc
- This stimulates the LH surge, on day 14
- The LH surge results in ovulation
- The ovarian follicle becomes luteinised (corpus luteum formation)
- The Corpus luteum secretes progesterone and oestrogen increasing their concentrations. The CL is programmed to secrete these hormones for 14 days and if not pregnant it undergoes leutolysis.
- The corpus luteum will regress and stop making progesterone and oestrogen if the egg is not fertilised. Becomes corpus albicans which is an inactive fibrous tissue mass.
- Low oestrogen levels feed back on the Hypothalamus to release more GnRH causing the anterior pituitary to release more FSH and LH.
What happens to the corpus leuteum if pregnant
Implantation interrupts the integrate ovarian and menstrual cycles. HCG is released from the developing placenta and maintains the function of the Corpus Luteum until the placenta takes over steroidogenesis (sex hormone production) at week 13 of gestation. The corpus luteum then regresses and forms the corpus albicans. Progesterone is secreted by the corpus leuteum
What happens to the corpus leuteum if pregnant
Implantation interrupts the integrate ovarian and menstrual cycles. HCG is released from the developing placenta and maintains the function of the Corpus Luteum until the placenta takes over steroidogenesis (sex hormone production) at week 13 of gestation. The corpus luteum then regresses and forms the corpus albicans. Progesterone is secreted by the corpus leuteum
oestrogen and progesterone small
In the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle there is only oestrogen secretion, after ovulation there is Progesterone and Oestrogen secretion.
Stages of the uterine cycle
- Menses (day 0-5)= shedding of the endometrium
- Proliferative phase (day 5-14)= growth of endometrium
- Secretory phase (day 14-28)= preparation for implantation, produces secretions to nourish the embryo
Order of the layers of the endometrium of the uterus (from top to bottom)
- Stratum compactum
- Stratum spongiosum
- Stratum basalis
- Myometrium
The stratum compactum and Stratum spongiosum
They are shed during menses. The endometrium is lined by pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium. The stroma contains numerous tubular glands and is highly vascular (with spiral artery’s and straight artery’s). The stratum compactum and Spongiosum respond to hormones and go through the monthly cycle of proliferation and shedding. The Stratum basalis is where the functional layer arises from.
What happens to the endometrium in the proliferative stage
In the Proliferative phase increased Oestrogen initiates proliferation of the endometrium, the stroma proliferate becoming thicker and richly vascularised. The tubular glands appear with increased mitotic activity. As the tubular glands lengthen they begin to convolute.
How the secretory phase affects the endometrium
In the secretory phase the stroma are highly vascular. The glands have a saw-tooth appearance which contains lots of thick glycogen and glycoprotein-rich secretions. The glands have become highly convoluted. Glycogen is an important source of nutrition for the fertilised ovum.
In the menstrual phase Progesterone withdrawal induces shedding of the functional layer of the endometrium
Hormonal effects on the cervix
Oestrogen, which increases during ovulation causes the secretions to be thin, watery and full of electrolytes. The cervix becomes highly spinbarkeit (stretchable). When Progesterone levels increase after ovulation, it causes the secretions to become thick and viscid. The cervix has a low spinbarkeit (stretchability). This causes the sperm to get stuck and not enter the cervix.
Hormonal effects on the fallopian tubes
Oestrogen increases the transport speed of the gametes (increases during ovulation), whilst Progesterone decreases the transport speed of the ovum (increase after ovulation).
Course of the pudendal vessels (artery and vein)
The pudendal vessels travel with the pudendal nerve
• Exits the pelvis via the greater sciatic foramen, inferior to the piriformis
• Curves around the ischial spine and the sacrospinous ligament
• Re-enters the pelvis through the lesser sciatic foramen
• Travels through the pudendal canal (sheath derived from the fascia of the obturator internus muscle). In the lower lateral wall of the ischioanal fossae.
• Enters the perineal region. It gives off branches in the canal and the perineal region which supply structures in the perineum and the external genitalia
Branches of the internal pudendal
1) The inferior rectal artery (rectum)
2) Perineal artery which gives off:
- Posterior labial/scrotal arteries
- The dorsal arteries of the clitoris/penis
- The deep arteries of the clitoris/penis
- The artery of the vestibular bulb (female)/bulbourethral (males).
What is the pudendal nerve derived from?
Derived from the anteria rami of the S2/S3/S4 spinal nerves
Branches of the Pudendal nerve
- Inferior rectal- supplies the rectum and external anal sphincter
- Perineal- further divides into the Muscular (deep) branches, Superficial branch, Posterior scrotal/labial branch.
- Dorsal nerve of penis/clitoris
Nerve supply to the pelvis
The Lumbosacral plexus which is the combination of the lumbar nerves (T12-L4) and the sacral nerves (L4-S4). The Lumbrosacral trunk connects the Lumbar plexus to the Sacral plexus
Nerve supply to the pelvis
The Lumbosacral plexus which is the combination of the lumbar nerves (T12-L4) and the sacral nerves (L4-S4). The Lumbrosacral trunk connects the Lumbar plexus to the Sacral plexus
Nerve supply to the pelvis
The Lumbosacral plexus which is the combination of the lumbar nerves (T12-L4) and the sacral nerves (L4-S4). The Lumbrosacral trunk connects the Lumbar plexus to the Sacral plexus
Nerves in the lumbar plexus
1) Iliohypogastric nerve
2) Ilio-inguinal nerve
3) Genitofemoral nerve
4) Lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh
5) Femoral nerve
6) Obturator nerve
7) The genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve and the Ilio-inguinal nerve travel through the inguinal canal
Pelvic splanchic nerves
Arise from S2/S3/S4. Preganglionic nerve fibres which form the Parasympathetic section of the autonomic nervous system in the pelvis.
Hypogastric nerves
Form the other portion of the autonomic NS in the pelvis. Sympathetic nerves which join with the Pelvic splanchic nerves. They merge to form the inferior Hypogastric plexus which contains both Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nerve fibres
Nerve supply to the penis- Pudendal nerve
Most important nerve that supplies the penis divides into the posterior scrotal nerve and the Perineal nerve.
1) The posterior scrotal nerve supplies the more proximal parts of the penis.
2) The deep branches of the perineal nerve which supply the deeper areas of the penis.
3) The Dorsal nerve of the penis supplies the majority of the skin of the penis and the Glans penis.
The Ilioinguinal nerve and the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve also supply the penis
Divisions of the Pudendal nerve in the penis
• Perineal:
- Muscular (deep) branches supply muscles within penis
- Superficial branch supplies skin
- Posterior scrotal supplies skin of scrotum
• Dorsal nerve of penis
Innervation of the vulva- pudendal nerve
1) Divides into the inferior rectal nerve (doesn’t supply the vulva)
2) The Perineal nerve
3) The posterior labial nerve (which comes off the Perineal nerve).
4) The muscular branches of the Perineal nerve (supplies muscles in the region).
5) The Dorsal nerve of the clitoris.
6) The Ilioinguinal nerve
7) The genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve also supply the vulva in the anterior region.