L2 Defining the reproductive tracts Flashcards
What is the function of reproductive tracts in BOTH genders? (3)
production, storage and delivery of germ cells
What is the function of rep organs in females?
sustain and support developing foetus/embryo
3 main components in reproductive system of both genders?
gonads
internal ducts
external genitalia
Reproductive system in females: gonads
ovaries
Reproductive system in females: internal ducts
uterine/fallopian tube
uterus
cervix
vagina
Reproductive system in females: external genitalia
vulva (clitoris, vestibule, labia)
Ovaries: location
housed in lateral wall of pelvis, inferior to pelvic inlet
Ovaries: appearance
‘greek olive’ shape
Ovaries: function (2)
egg production
hormone secretion
Ovaries: blood supply
gonadal arteries and veins
Ovaries: nerve supply
ovarian plexus (abdomen)
Contents of the ovaries?
Ovarian cortex:
ovarian follicles - germ cells to become ova
smooth muscle cells
corpus luteum - secretes progesterone
theca secrete androgens and granulose convert to oestrogen
Ovarian medulla:
blood/lymph vessels and nerves
Internal duct system - female
ova travel - exiting the ovaries, within the abdomen:
fallopian tubes
uterus
cervix
vagina
Pelvic viscera - female (4 labels)
bladder
uterus
fallopian tube
ovary
Description of the fallopian tubes (4)
passageway from ovaries to uterus (passage of ovum)
thin 8-10cm long tube
finger-like projections (fimbriae) capture released ovum
structurally composed of 3 areas: infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus
Function of the fallopian tubes (2)
inner wall contain cilia that propel ovum
normally the site of fertilisation
VAN of fallopian tubes
branches from uterine + ovarian arteries and veins
innervation: symp from ovarian (abdomen) and parasymp from pelvic splanchnic nerves
What are the 2 parts of the uterus?
body - cone shaped, upper 2/3
cervix - cylindrical, lower 1/3
What is the uterus the site of?
implantation of fertilised egg and foetus development
What are the 3 layers in the wall of the uterus?
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 of uterus
symp from hypogastric plexus (along uterine artery)
parasymp via the pelvic splanchnic nerves
note: also vagina
touch and pain (birth): via somatic afferents to S2-S4
Internal ducts - vasculature (4)
ovarian vessels
uterine vessels
vaginal arteries
internal pudendal artery
Broad ligament picture (4 labels)
broad ligament
suspensory ligament
mesosalpinx
ovarian ligament
Cervix (4)
inferior portion of uterus; cylindrical tube
thick muscular layer - supports developing foetus
lumen - cervical canal
constricted openings at ends (os):
- internal os
- external os
What does the internal os communicate with?
uterus
What does the external os communicate with?
vagina
The vagina is what kind of tube and approx how long?
Musculomembranous tube
7-9cm long
What two anatomical structures does the vagina link together?
links the cervix of the uterus with the vulva (vestibule)
Functions of the vagina (3)
canal for menstruation
receives penis during copulation (semen)
forms part of birth canal
External genitalia - female (7 labels)
mons pubis
prepuce
labia majora
labia minora
clitoris
urethral opening
vaginal opening
What does the labia minora enclose?
the vestibule (openings for vagina and urethra) and the clitoris
Functions of labia, urethra, clitoris and Bartholin
labia - copulatory organ
urethra - outflow of urine
clitoris - arousal (erectile tissue)
Bartholin - lubrication of vestibule
Blood supply and drainage of external genitalia
pudendal artery (erectile) & vein
Innervation of external genitalia
branches of genitofemoral and pudendal nerves (e.g. dorsal nerve of clitoris)
Reproductive system in males - gonads
testis
Reproductive system in males - internal ducts
efferent ductules
epididymis
vas deferens
accessory glands (e.g. prostate)
urethra
Reproductive system in males - external genitalia
penis
scrotum
Location of testis
housed in scrotum
Appearance in testis
small egg-shaped
Function of testis (2)
sperm production
hormone secretion
VAN of testis
gonadal arteries and veins
Innervation of testis
spermatic plexus (abdomen)
Contents of the testis
250-300 lobules, each with 4 seminiferous tubules:
- spermatogenic - generate sperm cells
- sertoli - support germ cell production
Leidig cells (interstitial): secrete testosterone
How sperm exits the testis
What are seminiferous tubules and what happens in them?
coiled tubules
sperm is produced
How sperm exits the testis
Rete testis
straight tubules
How sperm exits the testis
efferent ductules
ducts leaving (efferent) testis
How sperm exits the testis
Epididymis
transport and storage of sperm
How sperm exits the testis
Vas deferens
thin muscular tube about 45cm long
How sperm enters/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)
How sperm enters/within the abdomen
via what?
superficial inguinal ring (then canal)
How sperm enters/within the abdomen
which direction do deferens travel and what is it joined by?
posteriorly, crosses over external iliacs and towards the back of the bladder
joined by duct seminal gland => ejaculatory duct
VAN: ducts and seminal v
arteries
those that primarily supply the lower bladder - inferior vesical - and rectum - middle rectal
VAN: ducts and seminal v
veins
blood follows the arteries and so have the same name
VAN: ducts and seminal v
nerves
symp innervation from the splanchnic and hypogastric plexus; parasympathetic from the pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-3)
Accessory glands - male
seminal vesicles
5cm elongated organ; just inferior to rectovesical pouch; secretes alkaline fluid + fructose + coagulate
Accessory glands - male
prostate
blunt inverted cone
3x4 cm
located at base of bladder
secretes prostatic fluid (20% total volume)
Accessory glands - male
bulbourethral glands
pea sized glands aka cowpers glands
located inferior to prostate
secretion assists lubrication of ducts
Accessory glands - male
blood supply
inf vesicle + prostatic vessels (int iliac artery)
Urethra - male
leads into prostatic urethra
becomes membranous then penile/spongy urethra
External genitalia - male
penis
organ of copulation and urination
root, body and glands
3 cylindrical bodies
erectile tissue
External genitalia - male
VAN for penis
blood: dorsal and deep artery (int pudendal); dorsal vein of penis
nerves: dorsal nerve of penis (pudendal)
External genitalia - male
scrotum
houses testis in cooler environment; smooth (dartos) muscle assists in regulating temperature
scrotum VAN
scrotal vessels (pudendal) and genitofemoral nerve
