Learning Objectives 9: Sexual Systems

Question 1

Identify and describe the 7 internal structures of the female reproductive system.

Answer 1

Uterus
the part of the female reproductive tract that is specialized to allow the embryo to become implanted in its inner wall and to nourish the growing fetus from the maternal blood
Cervix
a necklike part, especially the cervix uteri (neck of the uterus), which projects at its lower end into the vagina.
Fallopian tubes
either of a pair of tubes that conduct ova (egg cells) from the ovary to the uterus
ovaries
the main female reproductive organ, which produces ova (egg cells) and steroid hormones in a regular cycle
vaginal canal
the lower part of the female reproductive tract: a muscular tube, lined with mucous membrane, connecting the cervix of the uterus to the exterior.
clitoris
the female counterpart of the penis, which contains erectile tissue but is unconnected with the urethra.
greater vestibular gland
The posterior pair of glands that open at the junction of the vagina and vulva. Their function is to lubricate the entrance to the vagina during coitus

Question 2

What are the three regions of the uterus

Answer 2

Fundus (dome shaped portion on the superior aspect)
Body
Cervix (neck of uterus)

Question 3

What is the medical term for female external genitalia?

Answer 3

vulva

Question 4

Identify and describe the 5 structures and openings of the female external genitalia.

Answer 4

clitoris
the female counterpart of the penis, which contains erectile tissue but is unconnected with the urethra
anterior to urethral opening
urethral opening
external opening of the tube that conducts urine from the bladder to the outside of the body
anterior to vaginal opening
vaginal opening
external opening of the canal that connects the cervix of the uterus to the outside of the body
posterior to urethral opening
labia minora
The smaller outer pair of lip-shaped structures of skin folds that enclose the vulva
labia majora
The larger outer pair of lip-shaped structures of skin folds that enclose the vulva.

Question 5

What is the perineum?

Answer 5

the anatomical region inferior to the pelvic floor

Question 6

Explain the difference between perineum and peritoneum

Answer 6

the perineum is the anatomical region inferior to the pelvic floor while the peritoneum is the membrane that lines the organs and walls of the abdominal cavity

Question 7

What is an episiotomy? Why might an episiotomy be performed?

Answer 7

An episiotomy is the incision of the vulva. It may be performed to make more room for a baby during childbirth if the mother is in danger during birth. now they are rarely performed by they used to be fairly common practice

Question 8

What is a pap test (smear)? Why is it performed?

Answer 8

A pap smear is a cytological study in which a speculum is used to hold open the vaginal walls while a brush is used to collect cells in or around the cervix. It is performed to screen for cervical dysplasia (abnormal cells in or around the cervix)

Question 9

What is cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)? If an individual has CIN will they get cervical cancer? What is the major risk factor for CIN?

Answer 9

CIN is new growth/development in the epithelium of the cervix. It can possibly lead to cervical cancer. A major risk factor for CIN is having HPV

Question 10

What is a colposcopy? Why is it performed?

Answer 10

A colposcopy is a visual exam of the vagina. It is usually performed for further examination after an abnormal result of a papermear. If the abnormal area of cells is found it is biopsied

Question 11

What is the medical term for uterine fibroids? What are they? What are common symptoms of uterine fibroids? How are they treated?

Answer 11

Leiomyoma
They are common benign growths within uterine walls. Common symptoms are metrorrhagia(uterine bleeding at irregular times) or menorrhagia(heavy bleeding during menstruation), and they can be treated by hysterectomy in severe cases or UFE/UAE (uterine fibroid/artery embolization). This is when synthetic particles are injected to block blood supply to a fibroid

Question 12

What is spermatogenesis? Where does it occur?

Answer 12

Spermatogenesis is the formation/production of sperm cells that occurs in the seminiferous tubules

Question 13

Identify and describe the 8 structures of the male reproductive system.

Answer 13

epididymis
a highly convoluted tube, about seven metres long, that connects the testes to the vas deferens. The spermatozoa are moved passively along the tube over a period of several days, during which time they mature and become capable of fertilization.
vas deferens
either of a pair of ducts that conduct spermatozoa from the epididymis to the urethra on ejaculation. It has a thick muscular wall the contraction of which assists in ejaculation.
seminal vesicle
either of a pair of male accessory sex glands that open into the vas deferens before it joins the urethra. The seminal vesicles secrete most of the liquid component of semen.
ejaculatory duct
Either of the paired ducts in males, formed by the junction of the seminal ducts with the vas deferens, that pass through the prostate and empty into the urethra, and through which semen is ejaculated
urethra
the tube that conducts urine from the bladder to the exterior. in males it also conducts the secretions of the male accessory sex glands (prostate and Cowper’s glands and seminal vesicles) and spermatozoa from the vas deferens
prostate
a male accessory sex gland that opens into the urethra just below the bladder and vas deferens. During ejaculation it secretes an alkaline fluid that forms part of the semen
bulbourethral gland
a pair of small glands that open into the urethra at the base of the penis. Their secretion contributes to the seminal fluid, but less than that of the prostate gland or seminal vesicles.

Question 14

What structures form the ejaculatory duct?

Answer 14

the seminal vesicle and vas deferens

Question 15

What is semen composed of? What percent of semen is composed of sperm?

Answer 15

semen is composed of glandular secretions (95-98%) and sperm cells (2-5%)

Question 16

What component of semen carries genetic information? In general, what are the 3 functions of the glandular sections (from the prostate, seminal vesicles, and bulbourethral glands)

Answer 16

The sperm cells are the component of semen that carry genetic information. The general function of glandular secretion is to neutralize the acidic environment of the vagina and male urethra, providing sugar and nutrients for sperm, and lubrication of the male urethra

Question 17

What is PSA? Where is it produced? Is it normal to have PSA in the blood? What does it mean if an individual has an elevated level of PSA in the blood?

Answer 17

PSA is prostate specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate that liquifies semen, improves sperm motility, and dissolves cervical mucus. Low levels are normal in the blood, and elevated levels be caused by a disruption of the tissue structure of the prostate or manipulation of the prostate

Question 18

What is BPH? What is the prevalence of BPH in older males?

Answer 18

BPH is benign prostatic hyperplasia (non-cancerous excessive prostate growth). It is very common in older males

Question 19

What common signs and symptoms occur with compression of the urethra?

Answer 19

weak stream of urine frequency, bladder stone

Question 20

What is a DRE? What can a health practitioner determine from a DRE?

Answer 20

DRE is a digital rectal exam. A health can practitioner can different between BPH and prostate cancer, because both demonstrate symptoms of compression of the urethra
In a patient with BPH the practitioner performing the DRE will feel the prostate has a firm posterior surface, and that the enlargement of the prostate is symmetrical. In a patient with prostate cancer there will be the same firm posterior surface but there will be nodules causing asymmetry of the prostate

Question 21

What is a common treatment for BPH? In general, how is this procedure performed?

Answer 21

A common treatment for BPH is TURP-transurethral resection of the prostate in which an electrical loop is used to cut away the tissue blocking the urethra

Question 22

If your patient has BPH does this increase their chance of getting prostate cancer?

Answer 22

BPH does not increase a patient’s chances of getting prostate cancer

Question 23

What signs and symptoms are common for BOTH BPH and prostate cancer? How can a health practitioner discern whether their patient has BPH or prostate cancer?

Answer 23

Common symptoms
High PSA levels in the blood
Weak stream of urine, frequency, and bladder stones
To determine whether a patient has BPH or prostate cancer a DRE can be performed, or a biopsy of the prostate can be performed to determine if there are cancerous cells

Question 24

What is a common sterilization procedure for men? In general, how is it performed? What are the medical terms for procedures to reverse this sterilization procedure

Answer 24

Vasectomy- incision of the vas deferens. In general a section of the vas deferens is pulled out from an incision in the scrotum, cut, and ligated.
It can be reversed by a vasovasostomy- forming an opening between vas deferens and vas deferens (rejoining the cut and ligated ends of the vas deferens) or a vasoepididymostomy (joining the cut ends of the vas deferens into the epididymis)

Question 25

Draw and label the parts of both sexual systems