reproductive system

Question 1

the false pelvis

Answer 1

bounded posteriorly by lumbar vertebrae
laterally by iliac fossae and iliacus muscle
anteriorly by lower part of anterior abdominal wall

helps support abdominal contents and has role in pregnancy and childbirth by helping guid foetus into true pelvis during labour

Question 2

pelvic outlet

Answer 2

bounded posteriorly by coccyx, laterally by ischial tuberosities and anteriorly by pubic arch

unlike inlet, pelvic outlet does not provide smooth line, instead has 3 wide notches:

anteriorly to pubic arch
laterally by sciatic notches

sciatic notches divided by ligaments to produce greater and lesser sciatic foramina

Question 3

male and female pelves

Answer 3

male more heart shaped

male angle = 50-60 women angle = 80-85

Question 4

pelvic floor I

Answer 4

two levator ani

• attached to posterior pubis
• linea thickening over obturator internus
• spine of ischium

tendinous arch = thickening

coccyges muscle = sacrospinous ligament and ischial spine

• supports pelvic viscera
• separates pelvic cavity above from perineum below
• formed by pelvic diaphragm
• incomplete anteriorly to allow passage of urethra and vagina: urogenital hiatus

Question 5

pelvic floor II

Answer 5

levator ani has two parts = pubococcygeus and iliococcygeus

Question 6

ligaments of the pelvic wall

Answer 6

greater and lesser sciatic foramen

sacrospinous ligament
sacrotuberous ligament

obturator membrane
obrtruator canal
obtruator internus

Question 7

blood supply: anterior divisions of internal iliac artery

Answer 7

umbilical artery = carries blood to placenta, becomes medial umbilical fold

inferior vesical artery = base of bladder, prostate gland, vas deferens, female vaginal artery

middle rectal artery 
obturator artery 
dorsal artery of penis 
inferior gluteal artery 
internal pudendal artery ]

female has:
- uterine artery

Question 8

posterior divisions of the internal iliac artery

Answer 8

1. ilio lumbar artery
2. lateral sacral branch
3. superior gluteal artery

Question 9

male reproductive system

Answer 9

scrotum = sack of skin and smooth muscle, SA can change by contraction of dartos and cremaster muscle to help control temp, one testis lies lower level in scrotum to avoid compression

testes = firm, mobile organs lying in scrotum, spermatogenesis, produce sperm

bulbourethral glands = lubrication of urethra

Question 10

testis and epididymis

Answer 10

testis:

• composed of seminiferous tubules
• modified at each end = straight tubules
• connected to rete testis = collecting chamber
• 12-20 efferent ductules originate from upper end of rete testis, penetrate capsule and connect with epididymis

epididymis

• single, long, coiled duct
• efferent ductules from enlarged mass on posterior superior pole of testis = head
• drain into body
• body enlarges at tail, which is continuous with ductus deferens

Question 11

ductus vas deferens

Answer 11

large muscular tube, transports sperm from tail of epididymis to ejaculatory duct

passes through inguinal canal

Question 12

spermatic cord

Answer 12

collection of vessels, nerves and ducts running to and from testes

relatively short - connecting scrotum to abdomen

layers of anterior abdominal wall surround spermatic cord in form of spermatic fascia

Question 13

male external genitalia

Answer 13

penis = two corpora cavernous and single corpus spongiosum

consist of root and body:
- root = two crura, proximal parts of corpora cavernous attached to pubic arch

• bulb = proximal part of corpus spongiosum, anchored to perineal membrane
• body = formed by tethering of two proximal free parts of corpora cavernous and related free part of corpus spongiosum

Question 14

female reproductive system

Answer 14

ovary = production of ova, production of female sex hormones: oestrogen and progesterone

uterus = reception, retention and nutrition of fertilised ovum

vagina = female genitalia canal, forms part of birth canal

uterine tube:
- receives ovum from ovary and provides site where fertilisation can take place. provides nourishment for fertilised ovum and transports to cavity of uterus. conduit for spermatozoa

Question 15

ovary

Answer 15

connected to lateral wall of uterus via round ligament of ovary

lies against lateral wall of pelvis in a depression: ovarian fossa

position is variable:

• pregnant = enlarging uterus pulls it into abdominal cavity
• may lie in rectouterine pouch

before puberty = smooth
after = scarred
menopause = small and pitted

Question 16

vagina

Answer 16

8cm length
muscular tube extending upward and backward from vulva to uterus

upper half of vagina lies above pelvic floor and lower part below

areas of vaginal lumen divided into 4 parts:

• anterior, posterior, x2 lateral fornicles

Question 17

anteversion and anteflexion

Answer 17

long axis of uterus is bent forward on long axis of vagina = ante version

long axis of body of uterus bent forward with long axis of cervix = ante flexion

Question 18

female external genitalia

Answer 18

bulbs of vestibule = situated either side of vaginal opening

small bands of erectile tissues connect anterior ends of bulbs to pea sized erectile mass = glans clitoris

root consists of only two crura

body formed by unattached parts of two corpora carvernosa

Question 19

uterus in pregnancy

Answer 19

uterus becomes enlarged as result of increasing production of oestrogen and progesterone

by 12 weeks, fundus rises out of abdomen and by 40 weeks it reaches level of xiphoid process

hypertrophy of smooth muscle fibres and some hyperplasia

Question 20

uterus in labour

Answer 20

cause unknown

contractility of uterus has been fully developed in response to oestrogen

sensitive to oxytocin

possibly by sudden withdrawal of progesterone

head stretches cervix, initiates reflex response which increases force of contraction of uterine body

uterine muscular activity largely independent of extrinsic innervation