Reproductive System Flashcards
What’s the point of sexual reproduction?
Introduces genetic diversity
Which endocrine axis is responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics?
The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal axis
Why is being male a risk factor for inguinal hernia?
Vas deferens passes through the inguinal canal
Where does sperm mature?
Sperm matures in the epididymis
Where does spermatogensis occur?
Spermatogenesis occurs in the seminiferous tubules
Which lymph nodes do the testes drain to?
Para-aortic
Describe how testicular torsion can lead to infarction
Testis twists on the spermatic cord, occluding the veins supplying it. This causes a build up of blood within the testis, the increased pressure of which occludes the arteries.
What predisposes to testicular torsion?
Bell-Clapper deformity
What 3 fascial layers are cut through during a vasectomy?
External fascia, cremasteric fascia and internal fascia
What 3 arteries travel in the spermatic cord?
Cremasteric artery, testicular artery and artery to vas
Which nerve supplies the muscle fibers within the fascia of the spermatic cord?
Nerve to cremaster
Why is a vasectomy performed with a scrotal approach?
To avoid the ureter which passes beneath the vas in the pelvis
Where is most of the fluid in ejaculate produced?
The seminal vesicles!
Why are the secretions of the prostate alkaline?
To neutralize the acidic female reproductive tract in copulation, creating a more favourable environment for the sperm
Why can you detect prostate cancer via a digital rectal exam?
Prostate cancers tend to form in the peripheral zone which sits just anterior to the rectum. They also tend to have a craggy hard consistency.
Why is benign prostatic hyperplasia more likely to be the cause of problems with urinary flow in males than prostate cancer?
BPH occurs in transitional zone where it can easily compress the urethra. Prostate cancers tend to be in the peripheral zone which is not directly adjacent to the urethra.
How can smoking cause impotence?
Can cause vascular disease which can affect blood supply to the penis
2 Embryology What does the gubernaculum do?
Aids decent of gonads into pelvic region
2 What would happen to the developing external genitalia if there is insensitivity to androgens?
If stimulation from dihydro-testosterone is blocked the genital tubercle will not elongate and the genital folds will not fuse. These will develop to form clitoris and labia respectively, i.e. female external genitalia.
2 How does the presence of a Y chromosome prompt development of male genitalia?
Its SRY region influences the indifferent gonads to become testes.
These then produce testosterone, stimulating development of penis and scrotum.
Androgens from the testes also stimulate development of Wolffian / paramesonephric duct into epididymis, vas deferens and rete testis.
Also secretes Mullerian Inhibitory hormone which suppresses development of mesonephric / Mullerian ducts.
2 How might a septate, heart shaped or double uterus develop?
Partial or complete failure of paramesonephric / Mullerian ducts to fuse as they develop into uterus (and upper 1/3 of vagina).
2 What is the transformational zone of the cervix?
Area between the internal and external os in which the epithelium changes from non-keratinised stratified squamous to simple cuboidal. (Moves towards internal os with age.)
2 Why does the vaginal epithelium have glycogen inclusions?
To support the resident lactobacilli which maintain the low pH of the vagina, protecting from inappropriate microbe growth.
2 Name the phases an ovarian follicle goes through if it develops
Primordial follicle -> primary follicle -> pre-antral -> antral -> mature / Graafian (degenerates into -> corpus luteum -> corpus albicans)
2 What is the normal positioning of the uterus?
Anteverted and anteflexed
2 Why is the ureter vulnerable in a hysterectomy?
Ureter passes under uterine artery which will be clamped during this operation.
2 What is the clinical relevance of the greater vestibular / Bartholin glands?
Can become enlarged if infected and can impinge on rectum.
Location of most vulvar adenomas
2 What are the 3 parts of the broad ligament and where are they located?
Mesometrium - over uterus, attaching to post. pelvic wall
Mesosalpinx - encloses and hangs off uterine tubes and contains suspensory ligament of ovary
Mesovarium - attaches to the hilum of the ovary, supporting it and enclosing its neurovascular supply
2 Which cells in the ovary secrete progesterone?
Granulosa lutein cells
2 Which cells of mature / Graafian follicle are needed to produce oestradiol?
Theca intera (secrete androgens), and granulosa cells (aromatise into oestrogen)