Defining the male and female reproductive tracts Flashcards
What are the common functions of the reproductive organs in both genders?
What additional function does the female reproductive system carry out?
Production, storage and delivery of germ cells
FEMALE
Sustain and support developing foetus/embryo
State the gonads, internal ducts and external genitalia of the female anatomy
GONADS- ovarian
INTERNAL DUCT- fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina
EXTERNAL GENITALIA- Vulva (clitoris, vestibule, labia)
State the location, appearance, function, arterial supply, venous drainage and innervation of the ovaries
Location: lateral wall of the pelvis, inferior to pelvic inlet
Appearance: greek olives
Function: egg production, hormone secretion
Blood: gonadal arteries and veins
Nerves: ovarian plexus (abdomen)
State the contents of the ovarian cortex AND the ovarian medulla
OVARIAN CORTEX
- ovarian follicles: germ cells to become ova
- smooth muscle cells
- corpus luteum: secretes progesterone
- theca cells secrete androgens and granulosa convert to oestrogen
OVARIAN MEDULLA
- blood/lymph vessels and nerves
State the trajectory of the ova, exiting the ovaries
Fallopian tubes –> uterus –> cervix –> vagina
Put the following in order, beginning most anteriorly:
uterus, fallopian tubes, bladder, ovary
BLADDER
UTERUS
OVARY
FALLOPIAN TUBES
Describe the fallopian tubes thinking about:
- function
- length
- structural adaptations
- anatomy
- VAN
- Passageway from ovaries to uterus , normally the site of fertilisation
- 8-10cm long, thin
- Fimbriae capture released ovum, and inner wall contain cilia that propel the ovum
- Fimbriae, infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus
- branches from uterine+ovarian arteries and veins
- sympathetic innervation from ovarian and parasymp from pelvic splanchnic n
Describe the uterus. Think about:
- the body/cervix
- function
- the wall
- innervation
- The body is a cone shape (2/3rds), the cervix is cylinderical
- site of implantation of fertilised eg and foetus development
- 3 layered wall: endometrium, myometrium and perimetrium
- sympathetic from the hypogastric plexus (along with uterine artery), parasymo via the pelvic splanchnic nerve
- touch and pain (during birth) via somatic afferents to S2-S4
State the vasculature of the female reproductive anatomy
- Ovarian vessels
- Uterine vessels
- Vaginal arteries
- Internal pudendal artery
- GONADAL artery
Identify the part of the peritoneal membrane/broad ligament and its folds
Broad ligament (anterior and posterior aspect)
- Ovarian ligament - suspends ovaries to uterus
- Mesosalpinx - suspends fallopian tubes to uterus
- Suspensory ligament (ovary to pelvic wall)
Describe the cervix
- location
- structure
How does its structure change with parity?
- Inferior portion of uterus, cylinderical
- Thick muscular layer - support developing foetus
- Lumen- cervical canal
- External os- communicates with vagina
- Internal os- communicates with uterus
Round/oval os pre-vaginal delivery. Slit like os post-vaginal delivery
Describe the vagina
- Describe its structure, appearance and function and VAN
- musculomembranous tube
- 7-9cm long
- link cervix of uterus with vulva (vestibule)
- function: canal for menstruation, receives penis during copulation (semen), forms part of the penis
VA- vaginal arteries and veins
N- parasymp from pelvic splanchnic n, symp from hypogastric plexus
Describe the uterine wall
Perimetrium- outer serous wall covering the uterus
Myometrium- thick muscular layer responsible for parturitium
Endometrium- inner mucous layer, site of implantation, thickness changes through menstrual cycle
State the different part of the external female genitalia
Mons pubis Prepuce Clitotis Labia majora Labia minora Urethral opening Vaginal opening
Vestibular glands- Bartholin
What is the labia minora?
State the function of the labia, urethra, clitoris and Bartholin
What is the VAN of the external female anatmy
Encloses the vestibule (urethral and vaginal openings) and clitoris
Labia- copulatory organ
Urethra- outflow of urine
Clitoris- arousal
Bartholin- lubrication of vestibule
VA- pudendal artery and vein
N- branches of genitofemoral and pudendal n (e.g. dorsal n of clitoris)
State the gonads, internal ducts and external genitalia of the male anatomy
GONADS- testis
INTERNAL DUCT- vas deferens, efferent duct, epididymis, accessory glands (prostate), urethra
EXTERNAL GENITALS- scrotum, penis
State the location, appearance, function, arterial supply, venous drainage and innervation of the testis
Location- suspended in scrotum
Appearance- small egg
Function- sperm production, hormone production
Blood- gonadal arteries and veins
Innervation- spermatic plexus (abdomen)
State the contents of the testis
250-300 lobules (containing 4 seminiferous tubules each)
- Spermatogenic: generate sperm cells
- Sertoli- support germ cell production
Leydig cells (interstitual): secrete testosteroen
State the trajectory of the sperm, exiting the testis
Seminiferous tubules (coiled tubes where sperm is produced) –>
Rete testis (straight tubules)–>
Efferent ductules (ducts leaving rete testis) –>
Epididymis (transport and storage of sperm) –>
Vas deferens (45cm thin tube)
How does sperm travel within the abdomen
- Spermatic cord suspends testis in scrotum, it contains the vas deferens, blood and lymphatic vessels, cremaster muscle and nerves (e.g. branch of genitofemoral)
- Enter abdomen via superficial inguinal ring (then canal)
- Deferens travels posteriorly, crosses over external iliacs and towards the back of bladder
- Joined by duct seminal gland –> ejaculatory duct
Describe the VAN of the male pelvic organs
V- inferior vesical vein drains lower bladder, middle rectal vein drains rectus
A- inferior vesical artery supplies lower bladder, middle rectal artery supplies rectus
N- sympathetic innervation from the splanchnic and hypogastric plexus, parasymp from the pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-3)
Deferens duct is joined by accessory glands. Describe what they are and how they are supplied/drained
Seminal vesicles- 5cm elongated organ inferior to rectovesical pouch; secretes alkaline fluid and fructose + coagulate
Prostate- blunt inverted cone, 4cm, located at base of bladder and secretes prostatic fluid
Bulbourethral glands (Cowper)- pea sized, inferior to prostate, secretion assists lubrication of ducts
Blood: inf vesicles + prostatic vessels (int iliac artery)
Outline the anatomy of the male urethra
- Prostatic urethra
- Membranous urethra
- Penile urethra
Becomes membranous then penile/spongy urethra
- Corpora cavernosa, corpora spongiosa
Glans penis
Urethral opening
State the nervous supply to the external male genitalia
- dorsal nerve of penis
- posterior scrotal nerve
- perineal nerve
- inferior rectal nerve
- pudendal nerve
