Reproductive System Flashcards
This is the intro lecture
What ploidy are gametes?
haploid
Where are gametes produced?
the gonads - testes (male) and ovaries (female)
Is a zygote haploid or diploid?
Diploid as gametes of the opposite sex have combined to produce a cell with a full complement of chromosomes
During normal fertilisation the ovum moves from where to where?
the ovary to the ampulla of the uterine (fallopian) tube
During normal fertilisation the (many) spermatozoa move from where to where?
testis to vagina
Where is the pelvic cavity found?
Within the bony pelvis, between the pelvic inlet and pelvic outlet - it is continuous with the abdominal cavity
What is the pelvic floor?
Internal wall of skeletal muscle (voluntary) that separates the pelvic cavity and perineum
Where is the perineum?
Inferior to the pelvic floor, between proximal parts of the lower limbs
What types of openings are there in the pelvic floor?
Distal alimentary (anus), reproductive (eg vagina) and renal (urethra) tracts
What is the pelvic roof made of?
Parental peritoneum
What is parental peritoneum?
The lining of the abdominal cavity that is firmly attached to walls and drapes over pelvic viscera
What is the most inferior part of the peritoneal cavity in an upright female?
Pouch of Douglas /rectouterine pouch
How many pouches are in the female peritoneal cavity?
2 - pouch of Douglas and vesico-uterine pouch
How many pouches are in the male peritoneal cavity?
1 - recto-vesicle pouch
What are the female reproductive organs?
Ovaries
What are the female accessory reproductive organs?
Uterine tubes, uterus and vagina
How many layers does the body of the uterus have?
3
What are the 3 layers of the body of the uterus?
perimetrium (peri - around the outside), myometrium (myo - thick muscular/elastic) and endometrium (endo - internal)
Stages of menstruation
- ova develops in ovaries
- each cycle, 1 ovum is released from ovary surface into the peritoneal cavity
- ovum is gathered by fimbriae into infundibulum of uterine tube
- moved along uterine tube by cilia
- the unfertilised ovum is expelled by myometrium contraction
Where does implantation occur?
The body of the uterus
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
When the fertilised ovum implants out-with the uterine cavity
Where do the majority of ectopic pregnancies happen?
uterine tubes (97%) also in abdominal pregnancy
What is the danger of an ectopic pregnancy?
Potential haemorrhage
How are females sterilised? describe
Tubal ligation of both uterine tubes by clipping, cutting or cauterisation, which blocks the lumen.
What is the function(s) of the male urethra?
Passing urine and ejaculation of sperm
Describe the steps of testes development
- during fetal development the testis originate of the posterior wall of the abdominal cavity
- by birth they have descended into the scrotum through the abdominal wall (inguinal canal)
- the tube that sperm pass through (the vas deferens) follows the testis into the scrotum
- the vas connects the testis (almost) to the urethra
Where is sperm produced?
the seminiferous tubules in the testes
What temperature is required for sperm production?
temperature around 1c below core body temp, which is controlled by dartos muscles.
How many sperm are produced in a second?
1500
How long does it take sperm to mature?
64 days
How does the sperm get from the seminiferous tubules to the vas?
First to the rete testis, then into the head of the epididymis, then to the tail of the epididymis which becomes the vas deferens.
What does the spermatic cord contain?
vas deferens, testicular artery and pampiniform plexus of veins
What does torsion of testis lead to?
twisting of spermatic cord, which disrupts blood supply causing severe pain and danger of testicular necrosis
What happens during erection?
3 cylinders of erectile tissue become filled with blood at arterial pressure
What are the male reproductive organ?
testes
What are the male accessory reproductive organs?
vas deferens, seminal glands, prostate gland and penis
Where are the testes located?
The scrotum
Where does sperm go via when passing from testis to vagina?
vas deferens
Where does the spermatic cord pass through?
the anterior abdominal wall through the inguinal canal to reach the pelvic cavity
What is semen composed of?
Sperm and seminal fluid
How are semen filled ejaculatory ducts formed?
when the vas deferen connects with the duct from the seminal gland
What drains into the urethra in males?
the right and left ejaculatory ducts and the prostate gland
Where does the urethra open in males?
at the external urethra meatus of the penis
How are males sterilised?
Vasectomy - the vas deferens is transected and its lumen is sutured closed (bilaterally)
