Human Genitalia Flashcards
What pouches does the peritoneum form around the male and female internal pelvic organs?
Male - only have two structures (bladder and rectum) and thus only have one pouch - the vesiorectal pouch
Female - have three structures (bladder, uterus and rectum) and thus have two pouches - the vesicouterine and rectouterine.
What is another name for the rectouterine pouch and what is its significance?
The pouch of douglas - this is a deep pouching and so fluid can often collect here bu also this can be used as an entry into the abdo cavity for some procedures such as gall bladder removal. The posterior fornix is the posterior recess in the upper vagina that extends into the pouch of douglas.
What are the perineal muscles found in males and females?
Both males and females have two perineal muscles:
Bulbospongiosus and Ischiocavernosus
In both males and females the ischiocavernosus is along the ischopubic ramus and aids in erection in males and contraction/tensing of the vagina in females.
The bulbospongiosus has a bit more variation in the sexes. In males extends up the midline toward the pubis symphysis from the perineal body. In females it also extends up from the perineal body but instead of in the midline it obviosuly has to slit either side of the vaginal orifice. It males it acts in erection and ejaculation and in females it acts in clitoral erection and feelings of orgasm.
Describe the erectile tissue in both males and females
The erectile tissue largely follows the same pattern as the perineal musculature.
Similar to the path of the ischicavernosus there is the crus of the clitoris (which forms the clitoris) and the crus of the penis (which forms the two corpus cavernosa).
Similar to the position of the bulbospongiosus is the bulb of the vestibule in females (contributes to head of clitoris and surround vaginal orifice) and the bulb of the penis which becomes the corpus spongiosum and glans penis.
Describe the vasculature of the penis
- 2x dorsal arteries which travel with the dorsal nerve of the penis
- one central deep dorsal vein
- within the corpus cavernosa there are deep arteries of the penis
- the urethra travels in the corpus spongiosum
What is the outermost layer of the testes (below the skin)?
The dartos fascia (this is a continuation of the scarpas fascia from the abdo wall except the fat is replaced by smooth muscle.
What is the gubernaculum?
A fetal ligament/ cord that is attached to the ovary and the testes. In males it is responsible for pulling the testes down into the scrotum around 8 months gestational age and in females it attaches to the uterus and becomes the round ligament and ovarian ligament.
What happens to sperm after it is produced in the testes?
Stored in the rete testes and then passes up into the epididymus and into the vas deferens. From here the sperm travels up around the bladder to connect to the seminal vesicles to form the ejaculatory duct and this then travels through the prostate to get contributions of prostatic fluid before meeting/joining with the urethra.
What is “water under the bridge”
In males it refers to the fact that the vas deferens passes over the top of the urethras to meet the seminal vesicals.
In females it refers to the uterine artery passing over the top of the urethra.
Where are the seminal vesicals located?
Posterior to the bladder and superior to the prostate,
Is prostatic enlargement normal?
In men over 50+ it is very common and often benign/normal but sometimes the enlargement may be malignant.
What way is the uterus tilted?
Anteriorly (anteflexion) so that it sits on top of the bladder for support.
Describe some of the ovarian arteries
Ligament of ovary = remnant of the gubernaculum that keeps ovaries attached to the uterus
Broad ligament
Suspensary ligament
What are the nerve artery and venous supply to the ovaries?
Ovarian plexus, ovarian artery and ovarian vein
What two aspects are the external female genitalia split into?
The vestibule (this is enclosed by the labia majora and contains the opening of the urethra, the vaginal orifice, the clitoris and the greater vestibular glands)
The clitoris (erectile tissue that is equivalent to male penis). It is waaaaay more sensitive
