Defining the reproductive tracts

Question 1

Function of both reproductive organs

Answer 1

Production, storage and delivery of germ cells

Question 2

Function of just female reproductive organs

Answer 2

Sustain and support developing foetus/ embryo

Question 3

Female reproductive system

Answer 3

Gonads: ovaries

Internal ducts: uterine/ fallopian tube, uterus, cervix, vagina

External genitalia: vulva (clitoris, vestibule, labia)

Question 4

Gonads (ovaries)

Answer 4

Location: housed in lateral wall of pelvis, inferior to pelvic inlet

Appearance: Greek olive shape

Function: egg production, hormone secretion

Blood: gonadal arteries and veins

Nerves: ovarian plexus (abdomen)

Question 5

Ovarian cortex contents

Answer 5

Ovarian follicles- germ cells to become ova

Smooth muscle cells

Corpus luteum- secretes progesterone

Theca secrete androgens and granulsa convert to oestrogen

Question 6

Ovarian medulla contents

Answer 6

Blood/ lymph vessels and nerves

Question 7

Female internal duct system

Answer 7

Ova travel- exiting the ovaries, within the abdomen

• fallopian tubes
• uterus
• cervix
• vagina

Question 8

Fallopian tubes

Answer 8

Passageway from ovaries to uterus (passage of ovum)

Thin 8-10cm long tube

Finger like projections (fimbriae) capture released ovum

Structurally composed of three areas: infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus

Question 9

Fallopian tube function

Answer 9

Inner wall contain cilia that propel ovum

Normally the site of fertilisation

Question 10

Fallopian tube VAN

Answer 10

Branches from uterine and ovarian arteries and veins

Sympathetic innervation from ovarian

Parasympathetic from pelvic splanchnic

Question 11

Uterus shape

Answer 11

Body- cone shaped, upper 2/3rd

Cervix- cylindrical, lower 1/3rd

Question 12

Uterus function

Answer 12

Site of implantation of fertilised egg and foetus development

Question 13

Uterus 3 layered wall

Answer 13

Perimetrium- outer serous wall covering the uterus

Myometrium- thick muscular layer, responsible for process of parturition

Endometrium- inner mucous layer; site of implantation; thickness changes through menstrual cycle

Question 14

Innervation of the uterus

Answer 14

Sympathetic from the hypogastric plexus (along uterine artery)

Parasympathetic via the pelvic splanchnic

Touch and pain (birth): via somatic afferents to S2-S4

Question 15

Cervis

Answer 15

Inferior to portion of uterus; cylindrical tube

Thick muscular layer- support developing foetus

Lumen- cervical canal

Constricted openings at ends

• internal communicating with uterus
• external communicating with vagina

Question 16

Vagina

Answer 16

Musculomembranous tube, 7-9cm long

Link cervix of uterus with vulva

Question 17

Vagina function

Answer 17

Canal for menstruation; recieves penis during copulation (semen); forms part of birth canal

Question 18

External genitalia

Answer 18

Mons pubis

Labia minora and majora

Clitoris

Vestibular glands Bartholin

Question 19

Labia minora

Answer 19

Encloses the vestibule (openings for vagina and urethra) and the clitoris

Question 20

Labia function

Answer 20

Copulatory organ

Question 21

Urethra function

Answer 21

Outflow of urine

Question 22

Clitoris function

Answer 22

Arousal (erectile tissue)

Question 23

Bartholin function

Answer 23

Lubrication of vestibule

Question 24

Blood supply/ drainage to external female genitalia

Answer 24

Pudendal artery (erectile) and vein

Question 25

Innervation to external female genitalia

Answer 25

Branches of genitofemoral and pudendal nerve

Question 26

Reproductive system male

Answer 26

Gonads: testis

Internal ducts: efferent ductules, epididymis, vas deferens, accessory glands, urethra

External genitalia: penis, scrotum

Question 27

Gonads (testis)

Answer 27

Location: housed in scrotum

Appearance: small egg shaped

Function: sperm production, hormone secretion

Blood: gonadal arteries and veins

Nerves: spermatic plexus (abdomen)

Question 28

Testis contents

Answer 28

250-300 lobules each with 4 seminiferous tubules

• spermatogenic- generate sperm cells
• sertoli- support germ cell production

Leidig cells (interstitial):
- secrete testosterone

Question 29

Testis- ducts

Answer 29

Seminiferous tubules- coiled tubules; sperm is produced

Rete testis- straight tubules

Efferent ductules- ducts leaving testis

Epididymis- transport and storage of sperm

Vas deferens- thin muscular tube about 45cm long

Question 30

Internal duct system- male

Answer 30

Spermatic cord suspends testes in scotum; contains vas deferens, blood and lymphatic vessels, cremaster muscle, nerves

Enter abdomen via superficial inguinal ring

Deferens travels posteriorly, cross over external iliacs and towards the back of bladder

Joined by duct seminal gland –> ejactulatory duct

Question 31

VAN

Answer 31

Arteries: those that primarily supply the lower bladder- inferior vesical - and rectum - middle rectal

Venous: blood follow the arteries and so have the same name

Nerves: sympathetic innervation from splanchnic and hypogastric plecus; parasympathetic from the pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-3)

Question 32

Accessory glands- male

Answer 32

Deferens duct is joined by accessory glands

• seminal vesicles
• prostate
• bulbourethral glands

Question 33

Seminal vesicles

Answer 33

5cm elongated organ

Just inferior to rectovesical pouch; secretes alkaline fluid and fructose and coagulate

Question 34

Prostate

Answer 34

Blunt inverted cone

3x4cm

Located at base of bladder

Secretes prostatic fluid (20% total volume)

Question 35

Bulbourethral glands

Answer 35

Pea sized glands

aka Cowpers glands

Located inferior to prostate

Secretion assists lubrication of ducts

Question 36

Urethra- male

Answer 36

Leads into prostatic urethra

Becomes membranous then penile/ spongy urethra