GU System Flashcards
Label this pelvis, and describe the function
The pelvis protects some major organs in the pelvic cavity
The bony false pelvis protects abdominal organs and guides the head of foetus to the true pelvis during labour .
The inguinal canal runs superiorly to the inguinal ligament on each side
We have a much deeper posterior than an anterior pelvic cavity because of the orientation of the pelvis
Label this. What is it?
The pelvic outlet.
Describe the location and notches of the pelvic outlet
Bounded posteriorly by the coccyx, laterally by the ischial tuberosities and anteriorly by the pubic arch
Unlike the inlet, the pelvic outlet doesn’t have a smooth line but instead has 3 wide notches:
Anteriorly the pubic arch and laterally by the sciatic notches.
The sciatic notches are divided by ligaments to produce greater(yellow) and lesser sciatic foramina.
Label the urinary tract
Describe the position of the kidneys and ureter
Lie behind peritoneum on posterior abdominal wall (retroperitoneal) either side of the vertebral column
Right Kidney lies lower due to the liver
As diaphragm contracts in breathing kidneys move down
Left kidney under ribs XI and XII. Right Kidney rib XII
Ureter= transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae
Label this to show the posterior relations of the kidney
What is the function of the coverings of the kidneys?
•Supports the kidney. Holds the kidney in position against the posterior abdominal wall
Label these coverings of the kidneys
Describe congenital abnormalities of the kidney
Kidney development starts at the pelvis and then moves up. If this doesn’t occur u can get pelvic kidney which doesn’t ascend to the abdominal wall.
Horseshoe kidney: when the inferior poles of the 2 kidneys fuse, so can’t ascend to the posterior abdominal wall
Label the anatomy of the kidney
Describe kidney vasculature
What do the highlighted areas show?
Describe innervation of the kidneys
- Function: Vasomotor regulates blood flow and renin secretion.
- This innervation comes from the renal plexus, which follows renal arteries.
- Post-ganglionic sympathetic from (T10 – L1)
Describe kidney stones and what they’re caused by
Diet, Chronic infection, Family history, Dehydration, Hypercalcaemia.
Kidney stones can get lodged in: the ureteropelvic junction, (2) the crossing over the iliac vessels, and (3) the ureterovesical junction
Also see the Staghorn calculus, a massive kidney stone
Label and describe the urinary barrier
Label and describe internal features of the urinary bladder
Describe the female urethra
Originates from the neck of the bladder.
Supported by a pubovesical ligament and pelvic floor muscles
Passes inferiorly through urogenital diaphragm and through the perineal membrane.
Opens at the vestibule between the labia minora
Label the male urethra
Describe the development of male reproductive organs
Superficial male genital organs= scrotum and the penis
In a MALE fetus, labioscrotal swellings fuse across the midline, resulting in a single scrotum.
Before descent, a cord of tissue (gubernaculum) passes through the anterior abd wall. This connects the gonad with the labioscrotal swellings (i.e. connect testis w scrotum)
Testes descend into the scrotum from the posterior abdominal wall along the gubernaculum path.
Describe the scrotum and testes
Ellipsoid shaped, enclosed in a musculofascial pouch, continuous with the ant. abdo wall.
Spermatic cord= tube-shaped connection between the pouch and the anterior abdo. wall
Each testis has seminiferous tubules + interstitial fluid.
Spermatozoa are produced in 400-600 highly coiled seminiferous tubules which connect to the rete testis.
12-20 efferent ductules connect the rete testis with the epididymis
Sperm is stored in epididymis, then pass via the ductus deferens into the ejaculatory duct
What is testicular torsion?
Rotation of testis round the spermatic cord w/in the scrotum
- Causes: inadequate fixture of testis to scrotum by scrotal ligament.
- V large peritoneum.
- Activity- eg horseriding
Symptoms/diagnosis: severe scrotum pain up through the inguinal region. Testis higher up than normal position. Fever. Absence of cremasteric reflex. Doppler ultrasound if diagnosis is unclear.
How is testicular torsion treated?
If not treated quickly, testicular artery may become occluded, leading to ischaemia and eventually necrosis of the testis
Treatment: Manual rotation.
Surgical rotation – attaching testicle to scrotum
6 hours – 90% chance saving testis. 24 hours – 0%
Describe the male external genitalia
The penis= 2 corpora cavernosa (erectile tissue), 1 corpus spongiosum, a root and a body:
The root consists of two crura which are the proximal parts of the corpora cavernosa attached to the pubic arch
The bulb of the penis is the proximal part of the corpus spongiosum, anchored to the perineal membrane.
What are the suprarenal glands?
- Endocrine glands
- Lie on upper pole of kidney
- Surrounded by renal fascia
Yellow cortex: secretes corticosteroids and androgens
Brown medulla: main source of catecholamines (adrenaline and NA)
Label the supradrenal glands’ arterial supply
Describe venous drainage of the supradrenal glands
Label this
Label this to show the vasculature of the ureters
Describe the course of the ureter in the abdomen
Describe the male urethra
Also originates from neck of bladder but is much longer w 4 parts:
1: Preprostatic: bladder to prostate
2: Prostatic: passes through prostate
3: Membranous: passes through deep perineal pouch and perineal membrane
4: Spongy: surrounded by corpus spongiosum (erectile tissue) and bulbospongiosus muscle
Supported by prostate and puboprostatic ligament
Label this, what is it?
What is micturition?
- Urine is made in the kidneys and stored in the bladder
- The sphincter muscles relax, the detrusor contracts
- The bladder is emptied through the urethra
- Need sympathetic nerves to allow bladder to fill and parasympathetic (lumbar and sacral) nerves to void the bladder
How is micturition innervated?
Parasymp fibres originate as the pelvic splanchnic nerves from S2-S4. These stimulate detrusor muscle contraction and inhibits the sphincter vesicae
Sympathetic fibres originate in L1-L2, descending via the hypogastric plexuses. These close the sphincter vesicae
Somatic – external sphincter. Innervated by pudendal nerve at S2-S4
How do the internal and external sphincter control the bladder?
Internal urethral sphincter is controlled by ANS. Normally closed by symp stimulation via hypogastric nerve
External urethral sphincter is skeletal muscle under voluntary control. Innervated by pudendal nerve. It blocks symp innervation so detrusor can contract and relaxation of internal and external sphincters to release urine.
