Genitourinary And Renal System Flashcards
What is the inguinal canal
The inguinal canal is an oblique passageway through the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall and lies superior to the medial half of the inguinal ligament
What does the inguinal canal pass through
It passes through each layer of the abdominal wall as it travels medially and inferiorly
Where does the inguinal canal start and finish
The inguinal canal starts at the transversalis fascia deep and laterally and finishes with the external oblique aponeurosis superficially and medially
How long is the inguinal canal in an adult
5cm long
What makes up the anterior border of the inguinal canal
The anterior border of the inguinal canal is
The external oblique aponeurosis
Laterally only: internal oblique aponeurosis
What makes up the posterior border of the inguinal canal
The posterior border is made up of
The transversalis fascia
Medially only: medial fibres of the aponeuroses of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis known as the conjoint tendon
What makes up the roof of the inguinal canal
The roof of the inguinal canal is made up of
The transversalis fascia
The arching fibres of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis
What makes up floor of the inguinal canal
The floor of the inguinal canal is made up of
Inguinal ligament which is rolled up on the lower border of the external oblique aponeurosis
What does the inguinal canal contain in a female
Round ligament of the uterus
Llioinguinal nerve
Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve
What does the inguinal canal contain in the male
In males, the content of the inguinal canal are all contained in the spermatic cord except for the ilioinguinal nerve which runs in the canal but outside of the spermatic cord
2 nerves- Genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve and the sympathetic nerve fibres
3 arteries- Testicular artery, cremasteric artery and artery to the vas deferens
3 fascial layers- External spermatic fascia, cremaster muscle and fascia and internal spermatic fascia
4 other structures- Pampinform venous plexus, lymphatics, vas deferens and processus vaginalis
What is the external spermatic fascia derived from
The external spermatic fascia is derived from the external oblique aponeurosis
What is the cremaster muscle and fascia derived from
The cremaster muscle and fascia is derived from the internal oblique muscle
What is the internal spermatic fascia derived from
The internal spermatic fascia is derived from the transversalis fascia
What is the processus vaginails derived from
The processus vaginails is derived from the peritoneum
What is a hernia
A hernia is an abnormal protrusion of tissues or organs from one religion into another through an opening or defect
What is an inguinal hernia
An inguinal hernia is a protrusion of abdominal contents usually part of the greater omentum or loops of small intestines through the anterior abdominal wall and into the inguinal canal
What is an indirect inguinal hernia
An indirect inguinal hernia is when intra-abdominal contents are forced through the deep inguinal ring and into the inguinal canal
Where can an indirect inguinal hernia move to from the inguinal canal
The hernia may migrate into the scrotum in males or into the labia majora in females
What is the potential risk of an indirect hernia
The herniated tissue can strangulate and become ischaemic and a surgical emergency
What a direct inguinal hernia
A direct inguinal hernia where intra-abdominal contents are forced through the posterior wall of the inguinal canal and directly through the superficial ring
What are characteristics of the scrotal skin
Thin
Wrinkled
Darkly pigmented than other areas
What lies beneath the scrotal skin
Below the scrotal skin is a thin layer of superficial fascia and thin involuntary muscles called the dartos
Where does the superficial fascia extend between
The superficial fascia extends between the testicles
What does the superficial fascia form
The superficial fascia forms a septum dividing the scrotum into the right and left halves
What does each half of the scrotum contain
Each half of the scrotum contains a testis, epididymis and lower part of the spermatic cord
What are the testes
The testes are the male reproductive organs which produce sperm and secrete testosterone
What covers the testes
The testes are covered by the same 3 layers of spermatic fascia that cover the spermatic cord
The external spermatic fascia
The cremaster
The internal spermatic fascia
What is the tunica vaginalis
The tunica vaginalis is a sac derived from the peritoneum which partially surrounds the testes
What is the epididymis
A coiled tube lying along the posterior border of each testes
What makes up the epididymis
Expanded head superiorly, a body, a pointed tail
What is the function of the epididymis
Stores spermatozoa formed in the testes
What is the function of the vas deferens
The vas deferens carries sperm from the epididymis and travels with the testicular vessels in the spermatic cord
Where do the testicular arteries branch from
The testicular arteries are branches of the abdominal aorta
Where does venous blood drain to from the testes and epididymis
The venous blood drains from the testes and epididymis enters the pampiniform venous plexus
What does the pampiniform venous plexus form
It forms the testicular vein
Where does the right testicular vein drain into
The inferior vena cava
Where does the left testicular vein drain into
The left testicular vein drains into the left renal vein
What is hydrocoele
Painless swelling caused by peritoneal fluid between the layers of the tunica vaginalis around the testes
What is varicocele
Abnormal dilation of the pampiniform venous plexus
Which side is varicocele more common and why
It is more common on the left side than the right because the left testicular vein drains into the left renal vein before draining into the inferior vena cava
What is epididymo-orchitis
Painful inflammation of the epididymis and testis
What causes epididymo-orchitis
In younger people epididymo-orchitis is often causes by a sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia or gonorrhea
In older people epididymo-orchitis is often caused by a urinary tract infection
What is testicular torsion
Twisting of the testis on the spermatic cord
What can be caused by testicular torsion and what happens if it is left untreated
Ischaemia of the testes and is a surgical emergency. If left untreated it can lead to necrosis and loss of the affected testis
If a lump on the testis is cancerous what is the treatment plan
Surgery to remove the testis and a length of cord and then chemotherapy or radiotherapy if needed
Where could testicular cancer metastasize and why
If testicular cancer does metastasizes it will likely follow the lymphatic drainage which follows the testicular arteries back to the lymph nodes around the abdominal aorta so the metastases first to the para-aortic or retroperitoneal lymph nodes
What is cryptorchidism
Undescended testis
How does cryptorchidism occur
During the development of a baby the testes form in the abdomen and they descend through the inguinal canal to reach the scrotum before birth but if this fails to occur the infant will be born with 1 or both testes absent from the scrotum and the affected testis will be stuck somewhere along the path of descent
Why is cryptorchidism an issue
Spermatogenesis is optimal just below core body temperature which is reached in the scrotum but in the abdomen the temperature will be too high for sperm production
Undescended testes are also at an increased risk of cancer
What is a vasectomy
Male sterilisation or permanent male contraception
How is a vasectomy performed
The scrotum is incised and the vasa deferentia are located on either side and seperated before lighting cauterising each end preventing the passage of sperm from the testes
What is the penis
The male organ of sexual intercourse
What is the penis primarily made up of
It is primarily made up of three cylinders of erectile tissue
What are the 3 cylinders of the erectile tissue
2 corpora cavernosa dorsally
1 corpus spongiosum ventrally
What encloses the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum
The erectile tissue is enclosed deep within the fascia of the penis
What is the deep fascia of the penis known as
Bucks fascia
What is the end of the penis known as
It is called the glans
What is the end of the penis an expansion of
The glans is an expansion of the corpus spongiosum
Where does the penile urethra located
The penile urethra lies within the corpus spongiosum
Where does the urethra open
As the urethra approaches the end of the penis and opens up via the external urethra meatus
What is the blood supply of the penis
The arterial supply to the penis is via the penile arteries
Where do the penile arteries branch from
They branch from the internal pudendal arteries which branch from the internal iliac arteries
What is the nerve supply to the penis
The nerve supply via the penis is from S2-S4
what nerves carries general sensation and sympathetic innervation to the penis
The dorsal nerve of the penis
What is the dorsal nerve of the penis a branch of
The dorsal nerve of the penis is a branch of the pudenal nerve
What causes an erection
Parasympathetic fibres in the penis
Where do parasympathetic fibres arise from
They arise form the peri-prostatic nerve plexus
What is responsible for the increase in size and rigidity of the penis during an erection
The corpora cavernous
How does an erection occur
During sexual arousal arterial blood flow into the corpora of the penis increases so it becomes engorged with blood. The corpus spongiosum does become engorged as well but not as much as the corpora cavernous
What is the main role of the corpus spongiosum
During erection is to prevent the urethra from been compressed which would prevent ejaculation
What is erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a term to describe the inability to achieve or maintain an erection during sexual activity
What does achieving and maintaining an erection reply on
Achieving and maintaining an erection relies on intact nerve pathways, reflexes, controlled blood flow in and out of the corpora cavernous of the penis and psychological arousal
What medications could be used to treat erectile dysfunction
Sildenafil/viagra
What is another word for adrenal
Suprarenal
Where are the adrenal glands located
Adrenal glands lie closely to the upper pole of each kidney
Where is the right adrenal gland located
The right adrenal gland lies behind the liver and inferior vena cava
Where is the left adrenal gland located
The left adrenal gland lies behind the stomach and pancreas
What arteries supply the adrenal glands
Superior adrenal artery
Middle adrenal artery
Inferior adrenal artery
What is the superior adrenal artery a branch of
It is a branch of the inferior phrenic artery
What is the middle adrenal artery a branch of
It is a branch of the abdominal aorta
What is the inferior adrenal artery a branch of
It is a branch of the renal artery
What drains the adrenal glands
They are drained by a single vein on each side the left and right adrenal vein
Where does the right adrenal vein drain to
Directly into the inferior vena cava
Where does the left adrenal vein drain into
The left adrenal vein drains into the left renal vein which then joins the inferior vena cava
What is the adrenal gland composed of
Outer part is the cortex and the inner part is the medulla
What is the function of the cortex
The cortex produced steroid hormones
What hormones are produced in the cortex
Cortisol
Aldosterone
Testosterone
What does the medulla of the adrenal gland produce
Adrenaline
What is a phaeochromocytoma
A rare hormone producing tumour of the adrenal medulla which causes excess secretion of hormones
Signs and symptoms of phaeochromocytoma
Hypertension
Tachycardia
Excessive sweating
What is the average size for a kidney
11cm long
7cm wide
4cm thick
Why are the kidneys described as been extra-peritoneal
They are extra/retro-peritoneal as they are located behind the peritoneum not above or below it
Where are the kidneys located
They are located either side of the upper lumbar vertebrae
What is each kidneys embedded in
Perinephric fat which is covered by renal fascia with another layer of paraphernic fat on the outside of the fascia
What is on the medial border of the kidney
The renal hilum
What is in the renal hilum
Renal vessels, nerves, lymphatics and ureter are located
What are the right and left renal arteries a branch of
The abdominal aorta
Where to the left and right renal veins drain into
They drain directly into the inferior vena cava
What is the internal aspect of the kidney made up of
The cortex, medulla and the calyces
What are the functional units of the kidney
The nephrons
What is the function of the nephrons
Filtering blood
Reabsorbing water and solutes
Secreting and excreting waste products as urine
What is present in the cortex of the kidneys
The glomeruli
Glomerular capsule
Proximal and distal tubules
Parts of collecting duct
What is found in the renal pyramids in the medulla of the kidney
The nephron loops of Henle
Rest of collecting ducts
From the collecting ducts where does urine travel to
Down the pyramid to the renal papilla at the apex of the pyramid where it enters a minor calyx
How is a major calyx formed
Lots of minor calyx merging forms a major calyx
What forms the renal pelvis
Merging of major calyx form the renal pelvis
What is the renal pelvis in continuation with
The ureter
What is the function of the ureter
Carries urine to the urinary bladder
How is urine transported
The urine is transported through narrow tubes by peristalsis
Where do the ureters run
They run anterior to the psoas major on the posterior abdominal wall and cross the pelvic brim to enter the pelvis
Where do the ureters enter the bladder
They enter the bladder on the inferomedial aspect of the bladder