L02 - Defining the Reproductive Tracts Flashcards
Function of reproductive organs
Function (Rep. organs)
• Both genders: Production, storage and delivery of germ
cells
• Female: Sustain and support developing
foetus/embryo
OVARIES
location, appearance, function, blood, nerves
Gonads (Ovaries)
‘ Location: housed in lateral wall of pelvis, inferior to pelvic inlet
‘ Appearance: ‘Greek olive’ shape
‘ Function: egg production hormone secretion
‘ Blood: gonadal arteries and veins
Nerves: ovarian plexus
(abdomen)
OVARIES: contents
what cells and that
diagram maybe
’ Ovarian cortex:
Ovarian follicles — germ cells to become ova
Smooth muscle cells
Corpus luteum — secretes progesterone
Theca secrete androgens and granulosa convert to oestrogen
’ Ovarian medulla:
blood/lymph vessels and nerves
Female internal duct system
where do the ova travel through
they exit the ovaries then fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina
female pelvic viscera
on diagram
bladder, uterus, fallopian tube, ovary
Fallopian tube
what is it, what it is functional components (DIAGRAM)
function?
VAN
Passageway from ovaries to uterus (passage of ovum)
Thin 8-10 cm long tube
Finger-like projections (fimbriae) capture released ovum
Structurally composed of three areas: infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus
Function: inner wall contain cilia that propel ovum
Normally the site of fertilization
VAN:
- branches from uterine+ovarian arteries and veins
- innervation: symp from ovarian (abdomen) and parasymp from pelvic splanchnic n
Uterus
what is its structural components
what is its purpose
what are the layers of the wall
innervation?
- Body — cone shaped, upper 2/3rd
- Cervix — cylindrical, lower 1/3rd
- Site of implantation of fertilized egg and foetus development
• 3 layered wall
Perimetrium — outer serous wall covering the uterus
Myometrium — thick muscular layer, responsible for process of parturitium
Endometrium — inner mucous layer; site of implantation; thickness changes through menstrual cycle
• Innervation: symp from the hypogastric plexus (along uterine
artery); parasymp via the pelvic splanchnic n.
Note: also vagina
• Touch and Pain (birth): via somatic afferents to S2-S4
Internal ducts: vasculature
diagram
ovarian vessels
uterine vessels
vaginal arteries
internal pudendal arteries
Ligaments of female reprod
diagram
broad ligament
(mesoalpinx is part)
ovarian ligament
suspensory ligament
Cervix
where is it located
what does it do
what is its structure
Inferior portion of uterus; cylindrical tube
Thick muscular layer — support developing foetus
Lumen — cervical canal
Constricted openings at ends (os)
Internal — communicating with uterus
External — communicating with vagina
Vagina
what is it
what does it link
function?
VAN?
’ Musculomembranous tube, 7-9 cm long
‘ Link cervix of uterus with vulva (vestibule)
‘ Function: canal for menstruation; receives penis during copulation (semen); forms part of birth canal
VAN : see previous slides
Female external genitalia
diagram
what do they do
blood? innervation?
mons pubis
prepuce
labia majora - encloses vestibule and clitoris
labia minora
(labia is copulatory organ)
vaginal opening
urethral opening - urine outflow
clitoris - arousal
bartholin - lubrication of vestibule
blood: Pudendal artery (erectile) and vein
innervation:
genitofemoral and pudendal n branches
—– eg dorsal n of clitoris
TESTIS
location, appearance, function, blood, nerves
' Location: housed in scrotum ' Appearance: small egg-shaped ' Function: sperm production hormone secretion ' Blood: gonadal arteries and veins ' Nerves: spermatic plexus (abdomen)
TESTIS contents, cell wise
diagram
250-300 lobules, each with 4 seminiferous tubules:
Spermatogenic — generate sperm cells
Sertoli — support germ cell production
Leidig cells (interstitial): secrete testosterone
TESTIS ducts (1/3)
diagram
exiting testes
Sperm travel — exiting the testis:
Seminiferous tubules — coiled tubules; sperm is produced
Rete testis — straight tubules (‘rete’ = net)
Efferent ductules — ducts leaving (efferent) testis
Epididymis — transport and storage of sperm
Vas deferens —thin muscular tube about 45 cm long
TESTES DUCTS (2/3)
entering / within the abdomen
Sperm travel — entering / within the abdomen:
Spermatic cord suspends testes in scrotum; contains
- –vas deferens
- –Blood (testicular) and lymphatic vessels
- -cremaster muscle
- –nerves (e.g. branch of genitofemoral)
Enter abdomen via superficial inguinal ring (then canal)
Deferens travels posteriorly, crosses over external iliacs and towards the back of bladder
Joined by duct seminal gland => ejaculatory duct
just diagram for
iguinal canal and male pelvic viscera and ejaculatory ducts
-
TESTES DUCTS (3/3)
VAN?
diagram maybe
VAN:
‘ Arteries: those that primarily supply the lower bladder — inferior vesical — and rectum — middle rectal
• Venous: blood follow the arteries and so have the same name
• Nerves: symp innervation from the splanchnic and hypogastric plexus;
parasympathetic from the pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-3)
accessory glands - male
bladder ureter ampulla prostate bulbourethral glands seminal vesicle bladder
say more about
seminal vesicles,
prostate,
bulbourethral glands
Deferens duct is joined by accessory glands:
Seminal vesicles — 5cm elongated organ; just inferior to rectovesical pouch; secretes alkaline fluid + fructose + coagulate
Prostate — blunt inverted cone; 3 x 4 cm;
located at base of bladder; secretes prostatic
fluid (20% total volume)
Bulbourethral glands — pea sized glands; a.k.a. Cowpers glands; located inferior to prostate; secretion assists lubrication of ducts
Blood: Inf vesicle + prostatic vessels (int iliac a)
urethra - male
diagram
what does it lead into
what does it become
structure?
leads into prostatic urethra
becomes membranous then penile / spongy urethra
prostatic urethra prostate membranous urethra penile urethra corposa cavernosa / spongiosa glans penis urethral opening
Male external genitalia
diagram
what are the structures of it
penis structure
• Penis:
- organ of copulation and urination
- root, body and glands
- three cylindrical bodies
- erectile tissue
- blood: dorsal and deep a (jnt
pudenda) ); dorsal v of penis - Nerves: dorsal n of penis (pudenda!)
• Scrotum:
- -houses testis in cooler environment;
- -smooth (dartos) muscle
- -assists in regulating temperature;
- -scrotal vessels (pudendal) and genitofemoral n
penis structure: Deep dorsal vein Deep artery Corpus cavernosum Corpus on losum Urethra
