Lec2 Defining the Male and Female Reproductive Tracts Flashcards
What is the function of the reproduction system in both genders?
Production, storage and delivery of germ cells
What other functions do the female reproduction organs have?
To sustain and support the developing foetus/ embryo
What do the male and female reproductive system consist of?
Gonads
Internal ducts
External genitalia
In females, what are the gonads?
Ovaries
In females, what are the internal ducts?
Uterine/ fallopian tubes
Cervix
Vagina
Uterus
In females, what are the external genitalia?
Vulva (labia, clitoris & vestibule)
What happens to the male germ cells inside the female to prevent it being attacked and destroyed?
The male germ cells are filtered once inside the female
Where are the female ovaries located?
They are housed in the lateral wall of the pelvis, inferior to the pelvic inlet
What is the appearance of the ovary?
They are “Greek olive” shape - large olives
What happens to the ovaries after menopause?
They atrophy after menopause
What is the function of the ovaries?
Egg production
Hormone secretion
What is the blood supply to the ovaries?
Gonadal arteries and veins
What is the nervous supply to the ovaries?
Autonomic nerve supply from the ovarian plexus surround the ovaries
What are the ovaries divided into and what are the contents of each?
Ovarian cortex
Ovarian medulla
Cortex:
OVARIAN FOLLICLES - germ cells to become ova
SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS
CORPUS LUTEUM - secretes progesterone
THECA CELLS - secrete androgens and granulosa convert to oestrogen
Ovarian medulla:
Blood/ lymph vessel and nerves
What are the internal ducts in the female reproduction
Fallopian tubes
Uterus
Cervix
Vagina
Name three structural areas of the fallopian tubes:
Isthmus
Ampulla
Infundibulum
What is the name of the finger like projections at the end of the fallopian tubes and what is their function?
Fimbriae
Capture released ovum
What is the function of the fallopian tube
It is the passageway from the ovaries to the uterus (passage of the ovum)
Normally the site of fertilisation
What do the fallopian tubes contain that helps them carry out their function?
Cilia that propel the ovum
What is the blood supply to the fallopian tubes?
Branches of the uterine and ovarian arteries and veins
What is the innervation to the fallopian tubes?
Sympathetic innervation from the ovarian plexus
Parasympathetic innervation from the pelvic splanchic nerves
What is the orientation of the uterus?
It is anteverted (forwards) and anti flexed (downwards)
What can happen to the uterus after childbirth?
It can become retroverted
What is the proportion is the body of the uterus?
2/3
What proportion of the uterus is the cervix?
1/3
Name the three layers of the uterus and their function
Perimetrium - the outer serous wall covering the uterus
Myometrium - thick, muscular layer responsible from the process of parturition - propels the baby out
Endometrium - the inner mucous layer, site of implantation and the thickness changes during the menstrual cycle
What is the innervation to the uterus?
Sympathetic from the hypogastric plexus (along uterine artery)
Parasympathetic from the pelvic splanchnic nerves
Touch and pain (during birth) are felt due to:
somatic efferents (S2-S4)
Which muscles relay the kicking of the baby?
The anterior abdominal wall muscle - because these are somatic & the wall of the uterus is not
What are the four main vessels supplying the female internal ducts?
Ovarian vessels - supply salpinx and ovary
Uterine vessels - supply the uterus
Vaginal arteries - supply the vagina
Internal pudendal artery - supplies vagina and perineum
Name the ligaments around the uterus
Broad ligament
Mesosalpinx
Ovarian ligament
Suspensory ligament
How long are the fallopian tubes?
8-10cm (thin, long tubes)
What is the cervix?
The inferior portion of the uterus - a cylindrical tube
What is the function of the cervix?
It is a thick muscular layer, the opening to the uterus and which supports the developing foetus
What is the lumen of the cervix called?
Cervical canal
What are the constricted openings at the ends of the cervix called?
Internal os - communicating with uterus
External os - communicating with vagina
What does the cervix look like before child birth?
Round/oval
What does the cervix look like after childbirth?
Slit-like
Why does the cervix have to be compliant with the uterus
Because the muscle of the uterus is so strong, the cervix needs to be compliant in order for parturition to take place
What is the vagina?
Musculomembranous tube 7-9cm long
What does the vagina do?
Links the cervix to the vulva
Receives semen during copulation
Canal for menstruation
Part of birth canal
Blood supply to the vagina:
Vaginal arteries
Nervous supply to the vagina:
Sympathetic innervation from the hypogastric plexus
Parasympathetic innervation from the pelvic splanchnic nerves
Where is the vulva/ vestibule located?
In the perineum
What causes arousal in women?
The hollow structures either side of the opening of the vagina become filled with blood and make the labia majora bigger
What are Bartholin glands?
They are little openings in the labia minora that allow lubrication of the vestibule
Name the components of the external genitalia in females
The vestibule - enclosed by the labia minora The clitoris Prepuce Clitoris Urethral opening Bartholin glands
What is the blood supply to/from the external genitalia of women?
Pudendal artery (erectile) and vein
Innervation of the external genitalia:
Branches of the genitofemoral and pudendal nerves
What are the gonads in the reproductive system of males?
Testes
What are the internal ducts in males?
Vas deferens Efferent ductules Epididymis Accessory glands - prostate Urethra
What are the external genitalia in men?
Penis
Scrotum
What is the size, appearance and location of the testes?
Testes are small, egg-shaped and housed in the scrotum
What is the function of the testes?
Sperm production - germ cells and hormone secretion
What is the blood supply to the testes?
Gonadal arteries and veins
What is the innervation to the testes?
Spermatic plexus - autonomic nervous system
What are the contents of the testes?
250-300 lobules - each with 4 seminiferous tubules:
Spermatogenic - generate sperm cells
Sertoli cells - support germ cell production
Leydig cells (interstitial cells) - secrete testosterone
How do sperm exist the testes?
Seminiferous tubules - coiled tubules where the sperm is produced
Rete testis - straight tubules
Efferent ductules - the ducts leaving the testes
Epididymis - transport and storage of sperm
Vas deferens - thin muscular tube about 45cm long which runs towards the back of the bladder
What is the purpose of the spermatic cord?
It suspends the testes in the scrotum and contains: Vas deferens Blood (testicular) and lymph vessels Cremaster muscle Nerves e.g. branch of genitofemoral
How does the spermatic cord enter the abdomen?
Through the superficial inguinal ring
Describe the route of travel of the vas deferens
Travels posteriorly, crosses over external iliac and towards the back of the bladder
It is joined by the seminal gland and together form the ejaculatory duct
What makes up the semen?
Secretions of the prostate, bulbourethral glands (Cowper glands) and seminal vesicle
What is the blood supply to the male internal ducts?
Those that primarily supply the bladder and the rectum
Inferior vesicle artery
Middle rectal artery
The veins follow the arteries so have the same name
What is the innervation to the male internal ducts?
Sympathetic from the splanchnic and hypogastric plexus
Parasympathetic from the pelvic splanchnic nerves S2-3
Where is the opening of the ejaculatory duct?
In the part of the penis which is surrounded by the prostate
What does the prostate do during ejaculation?
The prostate acts as a two way valve and closes off the top part coming from the bladder so only semen comes out during ejaculation
What are the accessory glands in males?
Seminal vesicles
Prostate
Bulbourethral glands
What structure is joined by the accessory glands?
The VAS DEFERENS
What is the location of the seminal vesicles?
Inferior to the posterior of the bladder
What are the seminal vesicles?
They are an elongated organ that secrete alkaline fluid and fructose and coagulate
What is the prostate?
A blunt inverted cone 3x4cm located at the base of the bladder and secretes prostatic fluid (20% of volume)
Bulbourethral glands are:
Pea sized glands known as Cowper glands
What is the function of the Cowper glands?
To secrete lubricating fluid to lubricate the internal ducts
What is the blood supply to the accessory glands?
Inferior vesicle and prostatic vessels - branches from the internal iliac artery
What structure exits the bladder?
The prostatic urethra
What does the prostatic urethra become once past the prostate?
The membranous urethra
What does the membranous urethra become?
The penile/ spongy urethra
What is immediately outside of the penile urethra?
Corpus spongiosa
What surround the corpus spongiosa?
Corpus cavernosa
What is the function of the corpus cavernosa?
Fills with blood to make the penis erect
What is the function of the penis?
Organ of copulation and urination
What are the parts of the penis?
The root, body and glans
The three cylindrical bodies of the penis are:
From inside to outside:
Penile urethra
Corpus spongiosa
Corpus cavernosa
Blood supply to the penis:
Dorsal and Deep arteries (branches of interior pudendal)
Dorsal veins of the penis
What are the nerves supplying the penis?
Dorsal nerve of the penis - branch of pudendal
Which arteries fill the corpus cavernosa with blood?
The deep and dorsal arteries
Spermatogenesis occurs in what type of environment/temperature?
Cooler temperatures
What muscle helps the scrotum to be pulled closer to the body when it is cold?
The cremaster muscle
What make up the external genitalia of a male?
Penis
Scrotum
Why are the scrotum outside the body?
To house the testis in cooler temperatures to allow spermatogenesis to occur
What muscle assists in regulating the temperature in the scrotum?
The smooth (dartos) muscle
What are the vessels that supply the scrotum
Scrotal vessels (branch of the pudendal)
What is the nerve that supplies the scrotum?
The genitofemoral nerve (&the posterior scrotal nerve?)
