L02 - Defining the Reproductive Tracts

Question 1

Function of reproductive organs

Answer 1

Function (Rep. organs)
• Both genders: Production, storage and delivery of germ
cells
• Female: Sustain and support developing
foetus/embryo

Question 2

OVARIES

location, appearance, function, blood, nerves

Answer 2

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)

Question 3

OVARIES: contents

what cells and that

diagram maybe

Answer 3

’ 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

Question 4

Female internal duct system

where do the ova travel through

Answer 4

they exit the ovaries then fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina

Question 5

female pelvic viscera

on diagram

Answer 5

bladder, uterus, fallopian tube, ovary

Question 6

Fallopian tube

what is it, what it is functional components (DIAGRAM)

function?

VAN

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Uterus

what is its structural components

what is its purpose

what are the layers of the wall

innervation?

Answer 7

• 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

Question 8

Internal ducts: vasculature

diagram

Answer 8

ovarian vessels
uterine vessels
vaginal arteries
internal pudendal arteries

Question 9

Ligaments of female reprod

diagram

Answer 9

broad ligament
(mesoalpinx is part)
ovarian ligament
suspensory ligament

Question 10

Cervix

where is it located
what does it do
what is its structure

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Vagina

what is it
what does it link
function?
VAN?

Answer 11

’ 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

Question 12

Female external genitalia

diagram

what do they do

blood? innervation?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

TESTIS

location, appearance, function, blood, nerves

Answer 13

' Location: housed in scrotum 
' Appearance: small egg-shaped 
' Function: sperm production hormone secretion 
' Blood: gonadal arteries and veins 
' Nerves: spermatic plexus (abdomen)

Question 14

TESTIS contents, cell wise

diagram

Answer 14

250-300 lobules, each with 4 seminiferous tubules:
Spermatogenic — generate sperm cells
Sertoli — support germ cell production

Leidig cells (interstitial): 
secrete testosterone

Question 15

TESTIS ducts (1/3)

diagram

exiting testes

Answer 15

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

Question 16

TESTES DUCTS (2/3)

entering / within the abdomen

Answer 16

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

Question 17

just diagram for

iguinal canal 
and
male pelvic viscera
and 
ejaculatory ducts

Answer 17

-

Question 18

TESTES DUCTS (3/3)

VAN?

diagram maybe

Answer 18

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)

Question 19

accessory glands - male

Answer 19

bladder
ureter
ampulla
prostate
bulbourethral glands
seminal vesicle
bladder

Question 20

say more about
seminal vesicles,
prostate,
bulbourethral glands

Answer 20

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)

Question 21

urethra - male

diagram

what does it lead into
what does it become

structure?

Answer 21

leads into prostatic urethra

becomes membranous then penile / spongy urethra

prostatic urethra
prostate
membranous urethra
penile urethra
corposa cavernosa / spongiosa
glans penis
urethral opening

Question 22

Male external genitalia

diagram

what are the structures of it

penis structure

Answer 22

• 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