Introduction to reproductive system Flashcards
testes function
Produce sperm and secrete hormones
Ductal system function
Transport and store sperm, assist in maturation and deliver sperm and semen into female reproductive tract
Structures in ductal system
Epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory ducts, penis, urethra
Function of spermatic cord
Supporting system for male reproductive system - ductus deferent, testicular artery and vein, autonomic nerves
Accessory sex glands in males
Seminal vesicles/glands (secrete seminal fluid), prostate (homologous to paraurethral glands in female), bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands (homologous to greater vestibular glands in female)
What does scrotum do?
Support testes
Conditions male reproductive system
- Hydrocele of scrotum
- Scrotal hernia
- Spermatogenesis
- Testicular torsion
- Undescended testis
- Vasectomy for sterilization
- Infertility
- Impotence - erectile malfunctions
- Congenital malformations
- Spread of infections
Function of ovaries
Produce gametes and secrete hormones
Function of uterine tubules/oviducts
Conduit for transport of sperm and oocytes for fertilisation
Function of uterus
Pathway for transport of sperm and site of implantation of ovum
Function of peritoneal folds/;ligaments
Supports ovaries, uterine tube and uterus
Function of vagina
Receptacle for penis during intercourse, outlet for blood and passageway for childbirth
What is ecxternal genitalia made of?
Mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule (between labia minora)
Accessory sex glands in female
- Paraurethral glands (homologous to prostate)
- Greater vestibular of Bartholin’s glands (homologous to bulbourethral glands in males)
- Bulb of vestibule (homologous to corpus spongiosum and bulb of penis in males)
Clinical issues in female reproductive system
- Oogenesis
- Ovarian cyst or tumour
- Tubal ligation for sterilisation
- Tubal block in infertility
- Uterine prolapse
- Hysterectomy
- Congenital malformations
- Spread of infections
Development of reproductive system
- Shares common structural origin with urinary system
- Genetic and structural sex determination
- Hormonal influence
Which two germ layers is the reproductive system derived from?
Mesoderm and endoderm
What is the mesoderm germ layer divided into?
Paraxial, intermediate and lateral plate
Mesonephric system
Intermediate mesodermal germ layer structure
Contributes to renal tubules, ureter, reproductive system, uterine canal and vagina
What is the cloaca?
Part of distal embryonic handgun - endodermal germ layer
What are the indifferent gonads?
Located in posterior abdominal walls
Forms longitudinal urogenital ridges with mesonephros
Primitive sex cords
When do gonads acquire sexual characteristics?
Week 6/7
When do testes/ovaries form?
Week 6-8
What are the two pairs of ducts in embryos?
Mesnophric or Wolffian
Paramesonephric or Mullerian
What happens to the ducts of a male embryo?
Paramesonephric/Mullerian ducts gradually degrease
Mesonephric ducts form: epididymis, ductus deferens, seminal vessels
What does the mesonephric duct form in male embryos?
Epididymis
Ductus deferens
Seminal vessels
What happens to the ducts of a female embryo?
Mesonephric or Wolffian ducts degenerate
Paramesonephric/Mullerian ducts form uterine tubes, uterus, cervix, upper vagina
How do the uterine tubes and uterus form?
Fusion and canalisation of L and R paramesonephric ducts forms uterus
Unfused parts of paramesonephric ducts L and R form uterine tubes
What is the vagina formed from?
Paramesonephric ducts - mesodermal layer
Urogenital sinus of cloaca - endodermal layer
How does vagina form?
Cloaca - urogenital sinus - sinovaginal bulbs - vaginal plate
Characteristics of external genitalia weeks 3-6
Represented by cloacal folds and genital swelling
What happens to form male external genitalia?
Genital tubercle forms phallus
Urethral folds fuse to form penile urethra
Genital swellings fuse to form scrotum
How do female external genitalia form?
Gental tubercle forms clitoris
Urethral folds form labia minor
Genital swellings form labia majora
Urogenital groove forms vagina
What does the gubernaculum do?
Descent of gonads
What is epispadias?
Opening of penis is on dorsal side
Congenital malformations
- Uterine and vaginal defects
- Bifid or double penis
- Hernias
- Cyptorchidism
- Klinefelter syndrome (47, XXY)
- Turner syndrome (45, X)
- Androgen insensitivity syndrome - genetically male but phenotypically female
- Hermaphroditism
Internal iliac artery supply
Uterus, ligaments of uterus, medial vagina
Vaginal branch supply
Lower vagina and vestibular bulb
Inferior vesical artery supply in males
Prostate, seminal glands and ductus deferens
Superior vesical artery supply
Ductus deferens
Middle rectal artery supply
Seminal glands, testis and vagina
Internal pudendal artery supply
Main artery of perineum
Abdominal aorta supply
Testicular/ovarian artery - tubal branch - testis/epididymis and ovary/ampullary tube
Lymph nodes draining m and f reproductive system
- Lumbar nodes
- Common iliac nodes
- Sacral nodes
- Internal iliac nodes
- External iliac nodes
- Deep inguinal nodes
- Superficial inguinal nodes
What do parasympathetic fibres supply?
Pelvic splanchnic nerves from S2-S4
Motor fiber to uterus and vagina
Where does pudendal supply
Perineum
How do testes form?
Level of 10th thoracic vertebra in posterior abdominal wall, descend to positions via gubernaculum ligament
Epispadias
Opening of urethra is on side of penis
Klinefelter syndrome
47, XXY
Turner syndrome
45, X
Androgen insensitivity syndrome
Genetically male but phenotypically female
Lymph drainage of scrotum
Superficial inguinal node
Vascular supply of reproductive systems
Abdominal aorta and internal iliac
Main arteries to genitals
Abdominal aorta
Internal iliac
Nerve supply uterus
Parasympathetic fibres carried by splanchnic nerve - S2-4
Sensation innervation of vagina and perineum
Pudendal nerve S2-4
