Reproductive Anatomy

Question 1

Inguinal region

Answer 1

Important surgically since it’s site of inguinal hernias
Area of weakness of AL wall due to passage of spermatic cord in males
Inguinal canal is approximately 4cm long running inferomedially (parallel/superior to inguinal ligament

Question 2

Inguinal canal

Answer 2

Main occupant is spermatic cord (males) or round ligament (females)
Opening at each end
Deep (internal) inguinal ring
Superficial (external) inguinal ring

Question 3

Inguinal hernia

Answer 3

Protrusion of small intestine through the superficial inguinal ring
Extremely painful and must be surgically repaired
Very rare in women

Question 4

Inguinal canal borders

Answer 4

Anterior wall = aponeurosis of external oblique
Posterior wall = transversalis fascia and reinforced by conjoint tendon
Roof = arching fibres of internal oblique
Floor = inguinal ligament

Question 5

Sperm development

Answer 5

Sperm begins development in testis (seminiferous tubules ~800ft)
Partially mature sperm cells move into epididymus (~6m long)
Epididymus secretes a fluid that helps the sperm cells to finish maturing
Once fully mature sperm cells enter ductus (vas) deferens (muscular tube that conveys sperm from epididymus to ejaculatory duct, sperm are stored before each ejaculation)

Question 6

Vasectomy

Answer 6

Severing of vas deferens near epididymus

Question 7

Ductus deferens

Answer 7

Begins at tail of epididymus
Ascends in spermatic cord
Passes through inguinal canal
Crosses over external iliac vessels and enters pelvis
Passes along lateral wall of pelvis
Joins with seminal vesicle duct to form ejaculatory duct

Question 8

Ejaculatory duct

Answer 8

End of ductus deferens joins with seminal vesicles (between bladder and rectum) to form ejaculatory duct
2 glands unite to form a single ejaculatory duct along with both ductus deferens (secrete alkaline fluid which mixes with sperm to counteract the acidic environment of vagina, provides majority of of fluid to make up semen (60% volume), fluid is rich in sugar (fructose) as a nutrient for the sperm)
Ejaculatory duct flows into urethra

Question 9

Prostate gland

Answer 9

Largest accessory gland of male reproductive system (70% glandular tissue and 30% fibromuscular tissue)
Dense fibrous capsule
Muscular anterior surface to eject prostatic fluid
Prostatic fluid (~30% volume) is for lubrication of the urethra, protection, nourishment, and mobility of sperm

Question 10

Bulbourethral gland

Answer 10

2 pea-sized glands posterolateral to urethra
Also called Cowper’s glands
Produce alkaline fluid to neutralize the acidic environment and lubricate vagina

Question 11

Penis

Answer 11

Common outlet for urine and semen
Consists of a root, body, and glands penis
External urethral orifice is at distal aspect
Skin of penis covers the glans penis (prepuce or foreskin)
3 cylindrical bodies of erectile tissue

Question 12

Corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum

Answer 12

Corpora cavernosa = primary erectile tissue, parasympathetic stimulation causes increase in blood flow via deep arteries, poor venous return when enlarged with blood
Corpus spongiosum = encases urethra

Question 13

Sperm

Answer 13

Spermatogenesis takes about 64-74 days to full maturation
After ejaculation the sperm can live for about 48 hours in the female reproductive tract
~400 million sperm
0.001% survival to oviducts

Question 14

Urination

Answer 14

Also called micturition

In males urethra is common pathway for ejaculate and urine

Question 15

Vagina

Answer 15

Musculomembranous tube
Extending from the cervix of the uterus to the vestibule of the vagina (vaginal orifice)
Serves as excretory duct for menstrual fluid (rich blood and nervous innervation)
Forms inferior part of birth canal
Vaginal orgasm via g spot (grafenberg spot = small collection of nerves on ventral side of vagina)

Question 16

Uterus

Answer 16

Thick walled
Pear shaped
Hollow muscular organ
Body lies superior to urinary bladder
Cervix portion lies between bladder and rectum and superior to vagina
Position of uterus changes with degree fullness of bladder and rectum
Enlarges significantly to accommodate fetus

Question 17

Uterine tubes

Answer 17

Also called Fallopian tubes
Embryonically similar to ductus deferens (extend laterally from uterine body to ovaries)
Approximately 10cm long

Question 18

Ovaries

Answer 18

Almond shaped glands located close to lateral pelvic wall
Rich blood supply via gonad (ovarian) artery
Embryonically similar to male
Female is born with ~700,000 eggs

Question 19

Clitoris

Answer 19

Highly innervation and function solely as an organ of sexual arousal
Erectile organ located where labia minora meet anteriorly
Consists of a root and body (2 corps cavernosa, glans clitoris, prepuce (labia minora))

Question 20

Vestibule

Answer 20

Space between labia minora
Contains external urethra orifice (2-3cm posteriorinferior to glans of clitoris) and vaginal orifice
Bulb of vestibule are paired masses of elongated erectile tissue on either side of vaginal orifice (embryonically similar to bulb (root) of penis and corpus spongiosum

Question 21

Greater vestibular glands

Answer 21

On either side of vestibule and partly overlapped by bulbs of vestibule
Secrete lubrication fluid directly into vestibule in preparation for penis
Embryonically similar to Cowper’s glands

Question 22

Breasts

Answer 22

Present in both males and females
Females have better developed mammary glandular tissue and increased fat deposits (modified sweat glands that enlarge during menstrual cycle due to FSH and LH)
Lie superficial to pectoralis major and serratus anterior
Firmly attached to dermis of overlaying skin via suspensory ligaments which are invested with adipose tissue

Question 23

Embryologic similarities

Answer 23

Male - female 
Testes - ovaries 
Scrotum - labia majora 
Penis - clitoris 
Ductus deferens - uterine tube 
Spermatic cord - round ligament 
Prepuce - labia minora 
Bulb (root of penis)/corpus spongiosum - bulb of vestibule 
Bulbourethral (Cowper’s) glands - greater vestibular glands