Clinical anatomy of the reproductive system

Question 1

What are gametes?

Answer 1

Gametes are sex cells (sperm in males and ovum/oocyte in females). In males, they are produced by the testes and in females they are produced by the ovaries. They are also haploid cells, meaning they have half the genetic information of a normal cell.

Question 2

When is a zygote (diploid cell) produced?

Answer 2

A zygote is produced during fertilisation

Question 3

Where is the pelvic cavity?

Answer 3

The pelvic cavity lies within the bony pelvis between the pelvic inlet and the pelvic outlet. It is continuous with the abdominal cavity

Question 4

What is the pelvic floor, perineum, pelvic roof and parietal peritoneum?

Answer 4

The pelvic floor is the internal wall of skeletal muscle in the pelvis. It separates the pelvic cavity and the perineum.
The perineum is inferior to the pelvic floor, between the proximal parts of the lower limbs.
The pelvic roof is formed by the parietal peritoneum.
Parietal peritoneum is the lining of the abdominal cavity and it drapes over the pelvic viscera

Question 5

Where is the vesico-uterine pouch and the rectouterine pouch found?

Answer 5

These are only in females. The vesico-uterine pouch is between the pouch between the bladder and the uterus and the rectouterine pouch is the pouch is the pouch between the rectum and the uterus (known as pouch of douglas)

Question 6

What is the name given to the pouch in males which lies between the bladder and the rectum?

Answer 6

The rectovesicle pouch

Question 7

What is a gonad?

Answer 7

These are the primary reproductive organs and they produce gametes. So in males, it is the testes and in females it is the ovaries

Question 8

What are the 3 openings in the female perineum?

Answer 8

1. Anus (gastrointestinal tract)
2. Vaginal orifice (female genital tract)
3. External urethral orifice (urinary tract)

Question 9

What are the 3 layers of the body of the uterus?

Answer 9

1. Perimetrium (outer layer)
2. Myometrium (middle layer)
3. Endometrium (inner layer)

Question 10

What are the accessory organs and the primary organ in the female reproductive system?

Answer 10

The accessory organs include the uterine tubes, uterus and vagina. The primary organ is the ovaries

Question 11

Explain how the female reproductive system works

Answer 11

1. Ova (or oocyte) develops in the ovaries
2. Each menstrual cycle, 1 ovum is released from the surface of the ovary and into the peritoneal cavity
3. The ovum is gathered by fimbriae into the infundibulum of the uterine tube
4. The ovum is then moved along the uterine tube by cilia
5. During menstruation, an unfertilised ovum is expelled by contractions of the myometrium

Question 12

Where does fertilisation of an ovum usually occur?

Answer 12

Usually occurs in the ampulla

Question 13

Where does implantation occur?

Answer 13

In the body of the uterus

Question 14

What is the term given when an ovum is fertilised out with the uterine cavity? And what is the problem if this occurs?

Answer 14

This is known as an ectopic pregnancy. It can be a potential emergency due to danger of haemorrhage

Question 15

Name and describe the process for female sterilisation

Answer 15

The process for female sterilisation is called tubal ligation. This is where both uterine tubes are clipped/cut to block the lumen

Question 16

Name the 4 main parts of the fallopian tubes?

Answer 16

1. Fimbriae
2. Infundibulum
3. Ampulla
4. Isthmus

Question 17

What is the anatomical position of the penis?

Answer 17

The penis is in the anatomical position when it is erect

Question 18

What is the purpose of the urethra in males?

Answer 18

The urethra is for passing urine and sperm

Question 19

Explain the development of the testes

Answer 19

1. Testes originate on the posterior wall of the abdominal cavity
2. By birth, they then descend into the scrotum through the anterior abdominal wall through the inguinal canal
3. The tube that sperm pass through (vas deferens) follow the testes into the scrotum
4. The vas (almost) connects the testes to the urethra

Question 20

Name and explain the process which is responsible for the development of sperm

Answer 20

Spermatogenesis is the development of sperm. The sperm is produced in seminiferous tubules then the sperm passes to rete testis, then into the head of the epididymis then down to the tail of the epididymis which then becomes the vas deferens

Question 21

What must the temperature be for spermatogenesis and how is this controlled?

Answer 21

For spermatogenesis, the temperature needs to be about 1°C below core body temperature. This is controlled by the dartos muscle

Question 22

What are the 3 components of the spermatic cord?

Answer 22

1. Vas deferens
2. Testicular artery
3. pampiniform plexus of veins

Question 23

What is the result of torsion of the testis?

Answer 23

Twisting of the testis can cut of the blood supply and so can result in testicular necrosis (death of tissue)

Question 24

What are the accessory organs and the primary organ in the male reproductive system?

Answer 24

The accessory organs include the vas deferens, seminal glands, prostate gland and the penis. The primary organ is the testes

Question 25

Name and describe the process for male sterilisation

Answer 25

The process for male sterilisation is called a vasectomy. This is when the vas deferens is transected and it’s lumen is sutured closed

Question 26

Explain how the male reproductive system works

Answer 26

1. The sperm develops in the testes which are located in the scrotum
2. The sperm leave the testis via the vas deferens (each vas deferens lies within the spermatic cord)
3. Each spermatic cord passes through the anterior abdominal wall within the inguinal canal to reach the pelvic cavity.
4. Within the pelvis, each vas deferens connects with the duct from the seminal gland (produces seminal fluid) to form an ejaculatory duct containing semen (semen = sperm + seminal fluid)
5. The right and left ejaculatory ducts join together within the prostate gland (which is immediately inferior to the bladder) and drains into the urethra
6. The urethra opens at the external urethral meatus of the penis

Question 27

What happens to the 3 cylinders of erectile tissue during an erection?

Answer 27

During an erection, the 3 cylinders of erectile tissue become filled with blood at arterial pressure