Principles - Reproductive System Flashcards
Where is the pelvic cavity?
It lies within the bony pelvis - the space in between the bones, between the pelvic inlet and the pelvic outlet
Continuous with the abdominal cavity
What is the pelvic inlet?
The way into the pelvic cavity from the abdominal cavity
What is the pelvic outlet?
The way into the perineum from the pelvic
What is the pelvic floor?
An internal wall of skeletal muscle
It separates the pelvic cavity and perineum
What is the perineum?
The area between the anus and scrotum/vulva
Where are openings in the pelvic floor?
Distal alimentary, renal and reproductive tracts can pass through
What is the pelvic roof?
Formed by the parietal peritoneum - very thin serous membrane
What is the parietal peritoneum?
The lining of the abdominal cavity
Firmly attached to walls
Drapes over the pelvic viscera - organs are sub peritoneal
Where does abnormal fluid in the peritoneal cavity collect?
In the Pouch of Douglas Rectouterine pouch (between rectum and uterus) - in anatomical position, most inferior part of the peritoneal cavity
Where is the vesico-uterine pouch?
Between the bladder and uterus
Describe the female perineum surface anatomy.
From top to bottom
External urethral orifice (urinary tract)
Vaginal orifice (female genital tract)
Anus (GI tract)
What are the three layers of the uterus wall?
Perimetrium
Myometrium (biggest layer, smooth muscle and elastic tissue that lets the uterus expand during pregnancy)
Endometrium - the inner mucous type lining which is shed during menstruation
What is the ampulla of the fallopian tube?
The second portion of the fallopian tube, intermediate dilated portion that curves over the ovary
What is the isthmus of the uterus?
the inferior-posterior part of uterus,
here the uterine muscle is narrower and thinner.
What are the fimbriae of the fallopian tube?
Fringe of tissue in the direction of the ovary, gathers the ovum
Where does fertilisation usually take place?
In the ampulla
How is female sterilisation carried out?
Tubal ligation - both uterine tubes are clipped, cut or cauterised, which books the lumen
What is the anatomical position of the penis?
When it is erect
Describe the surface anatomy of the penis.
External urethral orifice Prepuce (hood) Anterior surface (when erect - so back of the penis) Scrotum - contain the testes Anus
Where do testes originate?
On the posterior wall of the abdominal cavity.
What is the route of testes descension?
Descend through the anterior abdominal wall, forming the inguinal canal
Name the tube that sperm passes through.
The vas deferens
This follows the testes into the scrotum
What is the route of the sperm?
- Sperm produced in seminiferous tubules
- Pass to rete testis
- Pass into the head of the epididymis
- The the epididymis becomes the vas deferens
- The vas deferens passes through the anterior abdominal wall in the spermatic cord through the inguinal canal,
going to the seminal glands, where seminal fluid is produced - You now have semen
- The left and right ejaculatory ducts meet in the prostate and meet the urethra, becoming the prostatic urethra
- Becomes spongy urethra as it passes down the penis to the external urethral opening
What does the spermatic cord contain?
Vas deferens, testicular artery, pampiniform plexus of veins
What is torsion of the testes?
Twisting of the spermatic cord, disrupting blood supply and causing severe pain
This has the danger of testicular necrosis
Where is the prostatic urethra? What does it do?
Passes almost vertically through the prostate gland
Drains urine from the bladder and passes semen in ejaculation
Where is the spongy urethra?
After prostatic urethra - passes down through the penis to the external urethral opening
Where do the left and right ejaculatory ducts meet?
In the prostate, where they meet the urethra
Combined these are all now called the urethra
How many cylinders of erectile tissue are there in the penis?
3
They become engorged with blood at arterial pressure during erection
What do the seminal glands produce?
Seminal fluid
provides nutrients and energy to the sperm
How is male sterilisation carried out?
Vasectomy - vas deferens is transected and its lumen is sutured closed bilaterally
