Female and Male Reproductive System Flashcards
Female Reproductive System
- Ovaries
- Fallopian Tubes
- Uterus
- Vagina
- Clitoris
- Vulva
- Mammary Glands
Ovaries
- Two ovaries located on each side of the uterus within the pelvic cavity
- Production of estrogen and progesterone, which affects puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy
Fallopian Tubes
- Extending laterally at superior angle from the uterus
- Pathway of ovum into uterus
- Fimbria- finger-like projections that propel the ovum into the oviduct
Uterus
- Muscular, hollow, pear-shaped structure suspended by ligaments in the pelvic cavity
- Responsible for housing and nourishing the embryo from implantation of the fertilized egg until birth
Vagina
- Muscular tube extending from the cervix to the exterior of the body
- Organ of sexual intercourse
- Passageway for delivery of the fetus
Clitoris
- located anterior to the vaginal orifice
- organ of sexual response in the female
- composed of erectile tissue with sensory nerve endings
Vulva
Structures of the external genitalia
-Labia majora: thicker, outermost structures
-Labia minora: smooth, thin, inner structures
Responsible for protecting the internal genitals
Mammary Glands
- glandular lobes located in the breast of females that contain milk ducts, which lead to an opening in the nipple of the breast
- not directly involved in reproduction
- more important after delivery
- production of milk to nourish neonate(newborn) after birth
Ectopic Pregnancy
- implantation and growth of fertilized ovum in places other than the uterine cavity
- most common site in a fallopian tube
Ectopic Pregnancy: Signs + Symptoms
- signs of early pregnancy
- abdominal pain and tenderness as well as slight vaginal bleeding
- life-threatening rupture of a fallopian tube due to development of the conceptus, causing severe abdominal pain and intra-abdominal bleeding
Ectopic Pregnancy: Treatment
- Laparotomy, with all attempts made to save the ovary
- possible removal of a ruptured fallopian tube
- possible blood transfusion in severe intra-abdominal bleeding or hypovolemic shock
Breast Cancer
- encompassing a variety of malignant neoplasms (abnormal growth of tissue) of the breast
- usually beginning in the cells of the lobules (milk-producing glands) or the ducts that carry milk to the nipple
- most common malignancy of women in the U.S.
- associated with ovarian hormone function
Breast Cancer: Signs + Symptoms
Early Signs + Symptoms:
-common early sign: abnormality detected on a mammogram
-other early signs and symptoms: swelling, lump, dimpling, retraction of the nipple, discharge from the nipple, tenderness
Advanced Signs + Symptoms:
-nodularity, redness, edema, skin ulceration, enlarged or shrunken breast
-most common lump site: upper, outer quadrant of the breast
Breast Cancer: Contributing Factors
- high-fat diet
- family history of breast cancer
- use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), especially for prolonged periods of time
Breast Cancer: Treatment
- Lumpectomy
ex: primary tumor and surrounding tissue removed - Modified radical mastectomy
ex: entire breast and underarm lymph nodes removed with chest muscles left intact - adjuvant chemotherapy possibly indicated after surgery if malignant cells found in lymph nodes
- any combination of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy
Endometriosis
- growth of endometrial tissue in areas outside the uterus
- tissue found anywhere in the body, but most commonly within the pelvic area
Endometriosis: Signs + Symptoms
- dysmenorrhea with pain in the lower back and vagina
- severity of pain not indicative of extent of disease
- dyspareunia (painful sex)
- dysuria (painful peeing)
- painful defecation (less common)
Endometriosis: Treatment
Based on the type of severity of symptoms
- aim to alleviate symptoms through medications or surgery
- shrinking or slowing down endometrial growth using hormone therapy (usually estrogen in mild cases)
- if no pregnancy planned, birth control methods (patch, pills or rings) to control the disorder
- surgery (laparoscopic) for severe symptoms to remove endometrial growth and adhesions
- Hysterectomy in most severe cases
Hysterectomy
surgical removal of the uterus
- Subtotal Hysterectomy- uterus removed
- Total Hysterectomy- uterus and cervix removed
- Total Hysterectomy plus bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy- take ovaries with it
Laparoscopy
visual examination of the abdominal cavity with an endoscope (laparoscope) through one or more small incisions in the abdominal wall, usually at the umbilicus
Mammography
Radiographic (x-ray) examination of the breasts
- use of a special machine that spreads and flattens breast tissue to a thin layer
- providing more effective visualization of benign or malignant growths that are typically hidden by breast structures on a typical chest examination
Amniocentesis
- Transabdominal puncture of the amniotic sac under ultrasound guidance to remove amniotic fluid
- used to detect genetic and biochemical disorders and fetal maturity
Male Reproductive System
- Testes
- Epididymis
- Vas deferens
- Seminal vesicles
- Ejaculatory duct
- Bulbourethral Gland
- Prostate Gland
- Penis
Testes
- located in the scrotum
- production of sperm, the male sex cell
- secretion of testosterone, the hormone that develops and maintains maleness
Epididymis
- located on top of the testes
- storage place for sperm before ejaculation
Vas deferens
transportation of sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct
Seminal Vesicle
- nutrients to support sperm
- production of approximately 60% of the seminal fluid ejaculated during intercourse
Ejaculatory Duct
duct through which semen enters the urethra
Bulbourethral Glands (Cowper Glands)
production of alkaline fluid necessary for sperm viability
Prostate Gland
- Triple-lobed organ situated at base of bladder
- production of an alkaline substance that protects sperm against the acid environment of the vagina
Penis
- organ of copulation composed of erectile tissue
- enclosing the urethra, the structure that expels urine and semen from the body
- production of male sex cells (called sperm)
- transportation of sperm to sites of fertilization
- secretion of hormones vital to development and maintenance of sexual characteristics
Prostate Cancer
-malignant neoplasm (abnormal growth tissue) of prostatic tissue
-most commonly an adenocarcinoma
-Risk Factors:
-advanced age (usually over age 50)
-genetic predisposition
Commonly metastasizing to pelvic and spinal bones
Prostate Cancer: Signs + Symptoms
-dysuria, hematuria, nocturia, and hesitancy
-sometimes erectile dysfunction and painful ejaculation
-symptoms (if present) typically associated with the urinary tract
-hip or back pain possibly present in advanced stages
-Presymptomatic tests:
-blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
-periodic digital rectal examination (DRE)
Most commonly asymptomatic at diagnosis
Prostate Cancer: Treatments
depending on stage, grade, and physical condition and age of the patient
- prostatectomy and removal of adjacent affected tissues
- hormone therapy to limit prostatic growth, including orchidectomy and estrogen therapy
- chemotherapy in advanced stages of the disease
- radiation therapy to relieve metastatic bone pain
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
nonmalignant enlarged prostate that may affect urine flow
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Signs + Symptoms
- clinically significant if the enlarging, hyperplastic portion of the prostate obstructs urine flow
- urinary obstruction, including hesitancy and urine retention
- dysuria, nocturia, dribbling, urinary frequency, weak urine stream, or urinary or fecal incontinence
- Hydronephrosis or pyelonephritis in sever cases of BPH
ex: hydronephrosis and progressive thickening of the bladder wall and dilation of the ureters and kidneys
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Treatments
depends on severity of symptoms in the urinary system
- symptomatic treatment may include prostatic massage, catheterization, and avoidance of caffeine and alcohol
- various medications to shrink the prostate or relax the muscles in the prostate
- Non-Surgical options to shrink or destroy excess prostate tissue:
1. Transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT), using microwave heat
2. Transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TUVP), using a high-frequency electrical current
3. Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA), using radio waves - Surgical interventions to remove obstructing tissue:
- Laser surgery
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
removal of the prostate using a resectoscope or electrocautery
