REVIEW OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM Flashcards
An important landmark
in measuring fundic height
Protects symphysis pubis from trauma
Covered with curly hair (escutcheon)
Mons pubis/Mons Veneris
Growth of pubic hair is stimulated by _____, while pattern of hair growth is governed by _____.
testosterone; estrogen
Are 2 thick folds of adipose tissues originating from the mons and terminating in the perineum.
Labia Majora
Main function of Labia Majora:
to provide _____ and ____ to the _________ located under it.
to provide covering and protection to the external organs located under it.
Are 2 thin folds of connective tissue that joins anteriorly to form the prepuce and posteriorly to form the fourchette (foorshet)
It is moist, highly vascular, sensitive and richly supplied with sebaceous glands.
Labia Minora
Highly sensitive and erectile tissue situated under the prepuce of the labia minora.
Clitoris
The clitoris is also known as the
“seat of a woman’s sexual arousal and orgasm”
The clitoris is supplied with many sebaceous glands that produce cheese-like secretion called ____.
smegma
Triangular space between the labia minora
where the vaginal introitus , urethral meatus , Bartholin’s glands and Skene’s glands are located.
Vestibule
Also known as vulvovaginal glands, paravaginal and major vestibular glands.
Secretes mucus that helps to keep the vaginal introitus lubricated.
Its alkaline nature enhances sperm survival.
Bartholin’s glands
A pair of glands also known as paraurethral and minor vestibular glands.
Situated at each inner side of the urethral meatus.
Secretions of the Skene’s and Bartholin’s glands increases with sexual stimulation to provide lubrication to the vagina thereby facilitating coitus.
Skene’s glands
Also known as introitus is the external opening of the vagina located just below the urethral meatus.
Vaginal orifice
The _____ or ____is a very sensitive area located at the inner anterior surface of the vagina.
Grafenberg or G-spot
A thin, circular membrane made of elastic tissue situated at the vaginal opening that separates the female internal organs from the external organs.
Hymen
Located just below the clitoris
Urethral meatus
The anterior portion’s nerve supply is derived from the ___ (and the posterior portion is derived from ___).
L1; S3
Blood supply to the vulva is provided by the _____ artery and ______ ______ artery.
pudendal and inferior rectus
A hollow, membranous and muscular canal, about 8 –
12 cm long, located in front of the rectum and behind
the bladder.
Vagina
Upper portion of the vagina is separated from the rectum by the
cul-de-sac of Douglas
Surface of the vagina is lined by
stratified squamous epithelium
The external opening of the vagina is encircled by the
________ that acts as a voluntary sphincter; _______ improves the tone of this muscle.
vulvocavernosus muscle; Kegel’s exercise
Innervation to the vagina is provided by the ________ or Lee Franken Hauser plexus and S1 – S3 nerves.
uterovaginal plexus
Functions of the vagina: (3)
− Organ of copulation
− Discharges menstrual flow
− Birth canal
Function is to allow the vaginal canal to stretch
during coitus and enlarge considerably during delivery.
Rugae
The cervix projects into the vagina forming four
recesses or depression around the vagina’s upper portion that are called ____, and posterior ____ (it is in this area that vaginal secretions collect and semen pools.
Fornix; fornices
• Vaginal pH
− Before puberty: vaginal pH is _____ (___ - ___)
− After puberty: vaginal pH is _____ (_ - _)
− Before puberty: vaginal pH is alkaline (6.8 – 7.2)
− After puberty: vaginal pH is acidic (4 – 5)
• Vaginal pH
− Before puberty: vaginal pH is _____ (___ - ___)
− After puberty: vaginal pH is _____ (_ - _)
− Before puberty: vaginal pH is alkaline (6.8 – 7.2)
− After puberty: vaginal pH is acidic (4 – 5)
With the advent of puberty, ovary begins to produce
increasing amounts of _____ which stimulates mucus
production in the cervix.
estrogen
Cervix mucus is rich in ______.
glycogen
Glycogen is converted to
lactic acid by _______ (a bacteria normally present in the vagina, making the vaginal environment acidic); this low vaginal pH helps control the growth of pathogenic microorganisms that may cause vaginal infections.
Doderlein bacilli
Glycogen is converted to
lactic acid by _______ (a bacteria normally present in the vagina, making the vaginal environment acidic); this low vaginal pH helps control the growth of pathogenic microorganisms that may cause vaginal infections.
Doderlein bacilli
Vagina
• Blood supply
− Upper portion: supplied by the ______
− Middle portion: supplied by the _____
− Lower portion: supplied by the _____ and ______
− Upper portion: supplied by the cervicovaginal
branch of uterine artery
− Middle portion: supplied by the inferior vesical
artery
− Lower portion: supplied by the rectal and
pudendal artery
• It is 2.5 – 3 inches long;
• 1 inch thick, 2 inches wide
• weighs 50 – 70 gms.
Uterus
Functions of the uterus: (3)
− Organ of ____
− Organ of _____
− Contracts to expel the ____ during ____, and to seal _______ after delivery of the placenta.
• Functions:
− Organ of reproduction
− Organ of menstruation
− Contracts to expel the fetus during labor,
and to seal torn blood vessels after delivery of the placenta.
Parts of the uterus: (5)
Fundus
Cornua
Isthmus
Corpus
Cervix
(a)Most muscular area of the uterus
(b)Thickest & most contractile portion
(c)Palpation of its height is used to assess uterine
growth, and during the postpartum period to
assess for uterine involution.
(d)During labor, ____ is palpated to assess
uterine contractions and labor progress.
(e)Ideal site for implantation of the zygote.
Fundus
(a) Areas of the uterus at which the fallopian tubes are attached.
Cornua
(a) Upper third of the cervix which is very thin, becoming prominent only near the end of pregnancy and during labor to form the lower uterine segment together with the cervix.
Isthmus
(a) This is the body of the uterus which makes up 2/3 of the said organ.
(b)It houses the fetus during pregnancy.
Corpus
(a)Chiefly composed of elastic
and collagenous tissues,
10% muscle fibers
(b)Contains many sebaceous glands that secrete clear, viscid
and alkaline mucus.
Cervix
Parts of Cervix (3)
➢ Internal os
➢ Cervical canal
➢ External os
Part of Cervix
opens to the corpus
Internal os
Part of Cervix
located between the internal and external os
Cervical canal
Part of Cervix
opens to vagina
External os
Layers of the uterus: (3)
Perimetrium
Myometrium
Endometrium
2 layers of Endometrium
Glandular layer
Basal layer
Composed of columnar epithelium; this layer peels off during menstruation and thickens during the proliferative and secretory phase.
Glandular layer
The layer adjacent to the myometrium and gives rise to the new endometrium after menstruation and delivery.
Basal layer
Uterine Ligaments (6)
(a)Cardinal/transverse – Cervical/Mackenrodt ligaments (2)
(b)Broad ligaments/Peritoneal ligaments (2)
c) Round ligaments (2)
d)Uterosacral ligaments (2)
e) Anterior ligament (1)
f) Posterior ligament (1)
• Lower portion of the broad ligaments.
• It is the main support of the uterus.
• Damage to this would result to uterine prolapse.
(a)Cardinal/transverse – Cervical/Mackenrodt ligaments (2)
• It supports the sides of the uterus and assists in holding the uterus in anteversion.
(b)Broad ligaments/Peritoneal ligaments (2)
• Connect the uterus to the labia majora.
• During pregnancy, these ligaments hypertrophies and
gives stability to the uterus.
c) Round ligaments (2)
• These ligaments connect the supravaginal cervical portion of the uterus to the 2nd and 3rd sacral vertebra, passing on each side of the rectum.
• They help keep the uterus in its normal position by maintaining traction on the cervix.
d)Uterosacral ligaments (2)
• Connects the anterior portion of the supravaginal
cervix to the posterior surface of the bladder.
• Overstretching of this ligament will cause the bladder
to “drop” and to herniate into the vagina (cystocele)
e) Anterior ligament (1)
• Connects the posterior portion of the uterus to the
rectum.
• It forms a deep pouch called the Cul-de-sac of Douglas, the lowest part of the abdominal cavity, so that blood, pus, or other drainage of the abdominal area tends to collect here.
• Damage to this ligament will lead to herniation of rectum to the vagina (rectocele).
f) Posterior ligament (1)
Uterus
−Blood Supply (2)
(a)Uterine artery
(b)Ovarian artery
A branch of the internal iliac or hypogastric
artery which divided into 2 main branches.
(a)Uterine artery
2 main branches of uterine artery
Cervicovaginal branch
Main branch
• A direct branch of the aorta
(b)Ovarian artery
branch that supplies the upper
portion of vagina and lower portion of cervix.
Cervicovaginal branch
branch which divides into fundal, tubal
ovarian arteries
Main branch
• Each tube is about
4 inches (10 cm) long
and 1⁄4 inch in diameter.
• Blood supply is from ovarian artery
Fallopian tubes (Oviducts)
Functions of Fallopian tubes (Oviducts):
− Transport __ from ___ to the ___
− The site of _____
− Provides ____ to the ovum during its
journey.
− Transport ovum from ovary to the uterus
− The site of fertilization
− Provides nourishment to the ovum during its
journey.
Parts of Fallopian tubes (Oviducts): (4)
−Interstitial/Intramural
−Isthmus
−Ampulla
−Infundibulum
Part of fallopian tube:
• Thick-walled,
• located inside the uterus;
• 1 cm long.
−Interstitial/Intramural
Part of fallopian tube:
• Narrowest portion
• About 1 cm long;
• Site of tubal ligation
− Isthmus
Part of fallopian tube:
(a)Middle portion
(b)widest part
(c)Site of fertilization
− Ampulla
Part of fallopian tube:
(a)The most distal portion
(b)Has fingerlike projections called fimbria
− Infundibulum
• Almond shape glandular organ.
• Each weighs between 6-19 g;
• 1.5 – 3 cm wide; 2 – 5 cm long.
Ovaries
• Functions of Ovaries:
− Responsible for ____ &
_____ of ____ (_____)
− _____-
− _________ – main source of estrogen &
progesterone in non-pregnant women.
• Functions:
− Responsible for development &
maturation of ovum (oogenesis)
− Ovulation
− Hormone production – main source of estrogen &
progesterone in non-pregnant women.
Mammary glands
• External structures: (3)
− Nipple
− Areola
− Montgomery tubercles
Mammary glands
• Internal structures: (5)
-Lobes
-Lobules
-Acini cells
-Lactiferous ducts
-Lactiferous sinus
(a)__ – __ lobes are found in each breast that are divided
into several lobules.
15-20
(a)Composed of clusters of acini cells.
− Lobules
(a)These are the milk-secreting
cells of the breasts that are stimulated by prolactin hormone.
− Acini cells
(a)Ducts that serve as passageway of milk.
− Lactiferous ducts
(a)Dilated portion of the ducts located behind the nipple
− Lactiferous sinus
• Hormones that influence the Mammary Glands: (5)
− Estrogen
− Progesterone
− Human placental lactogen
− Oxytocin
− Prolactin
• Hormones that influence the Mammary Glands:
➢ Stimulates development of the ductile structures of the breast.
Estrogen
• Hormones that influence the Mammary Glands: ➢Stimulates the development of the acinar structures of
the breast
Progesterone
• Hormones that influence the Mammary Glands:
➢ Promotes breast development during pregnancy.
Human placental lactogen
• Hormones that influence the Mammary Glands:
➢ Let-down reflex;
➢ Is inhibited by progesterone.
Oxytocin
• Hormones that influence the Mammary Glands:
➢ Stimulates milk production
➢Is inhibited by estrogen.
Prolactin
study of the male reproductive system. The male reproductive system consists of both external and internal divisions
Andrology
• Male organ of copulation and urination.
• Blood flow is controlled by ANS;
• Blood supply is provided by penile artery.
• The sympathetic nervous system inhibits penile
erection.
Penis
The _________ muscle at the base of the penis, under stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, then contracts, trapping both venous and arterial blood in the three sections of erectile tissue.
This leads to _____ (and _____-) of the penis.
ischiocavernosus muscle; distention (and erection)
Parts of the Penis: (4)
− Shaft or body
− Glans penis
− Prepuce or foreskin
− Urethral meatus
Parts of the Penis:
➢Enlarged end which is
the most sensitive part.
Glans penis
Parts of the Penis:
➢A fold of retractable skin covering the glans, at which it is removed during circumcision.
Prepuce or foreskin
Parts of the Penis:
➢A slit like opening located at the tip of the penis
which serves as passageway of both semen and urine.
Urethral meatus
• Is a sac-like structure containing the testes that
hangs behind the penis.
• Is covered by sparse hair after puberty, wrinkled
and has a darker coloration than the rest of the
body.
Scrotum
Does the Scrotum have subcutaneous fat? YES OR NO, Why?
Has NO subcutaneous fat because the scrotum
must be kept cool.
The skin of the scrotum is lined by fascia and a
smooth muscle layer, the _____.
Dartos
The skin of the scrotum is lined by fascia and a
smooth muscle layer, the Dartos:
− _____ when environmental temperature is cold to
___ the testes closer to the body
− ____ when the environmental temperature is too
hot, causing the testes to _____ from the body which lowers its temperature.
− If temperature is too warm or too cold,
_____ will not take place; _________ will not be affected.
− Contracts when environmental temperature is cold to
pull the testes closer to the body
− Relaxes when the environmental temperature is too
hot, causing the testes to descend away from the
body which lowers its temperature.
− If temperature is too warm or too cold,
spermatogenesis will not take place; testosterone production will not be affected.
• Oval shaped glandular organs.
• Descend in the scrotum after 28 wks. gestation
• Temperature inside the scrotum is 1°C (2-3°F) lower
than body temperature.
• Each ____ is about 4 – 5 cm long.
Testes
Testes
• Functions:
− Hormone production:
➢Testosterone stimulates _______ and is responsible for the development of __________.
➢Beginning puberty, the hypothalamus secretes ___________ which stimulates the ______ cells to release testosterone and other androgens.
Testes
• Functions:
− Hormone production:
➢Testosterone stimulates spermatogenesis and is responsible for the development of secondary male characteristics.
➢Beginning puberty, the hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) which stimulates the Leydig cells to release testosterone and other androgens.
Testes
• Functions:
− Spermatogenesis
➢Production and maturation of sperm cell begins at _____ and continue until ___ ____ in a continuous manner.
➢Beginning puberty, the hypothalamus secretes ________ which stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release ___ which in turn causes the cell division and development of spermatogonia to sperm cells.
Testes
• Functions:
− Spermatogenesis
➢Production and maturation of sperm cell begins at puberty and continue until old age in a continuous manner.
➢Beginning puberty, the hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) which stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release FSH which in turn causes the cell division and development of spermatogonia to sperm cells.
Testes
• Functions:
− Spermatogenesis
➢Production and maturation of sperm cell begins at _____ and continue until ___ ____ in a continuous manner.
➢Beginning puberty, the hypothalamus secretes ________ which stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release ___ which in turn causes the cell division and development of spermatogonia to sperm cells.
Testes
• Functions:
− Spermatogenesis
➢Production and maturation of sperm cell begins at puberty and continue until old age in a continuous manner.
➢Beginning puberty, the hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) which stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release FSH which in turn causes the cell division and development of spermatogonia to sperm cells.
• Parts of testis: (3)
− Seminiferous tubules
− Leydig or Interstitial cells
− Sertoli cells or supporting cells
• Parts of testis:
➢spermatogenesis takes place
➢The testes produce about
176 sperm cells a day
➢This tube leads to the tightly
coiled epididymis
Seminiferous tubules
➢Produce testosterone
➢Found around the
seminiferous tubules.
Leydig or Interstitial cells
➢Plays a role in sperm transport.
Sertoli cells or supporting cells
• Long, coiled tube
approximately 20 feet long and at which the sperm travels for 12 – 20 days after it leaves the testis.
Epididymis
• It takes about __ days for the sperm to become mature.
64
• Forms the passageway
of the sperm cells from the epididymis in the testis to the urethra.
• It is surrounded by arteries, veins and a thick fibrous covering.
Vas Deferens
Vas Deferens
• The contractile power of this part of the duct system propels the spermatozoa to the ___
during ejaculation.
• At the end of the vas deferens , just before it joins
the seminal vesicles, there is a dilated portion which functions as a _____ of sperm cells before ejaculation.
• The presence of _______ in this portion causes the sperm not to be very motile.
Vas Deferens
• The contractile power of this part of the duct
system propels the spermatozoa to the urethra
during ejaculation.
• At the end of the vas deferens , just before it joins
the seminal vesicles, there is a dilated portion which functions as a storage area of sperm cells before ejaculation.
• The presence of acidic secretions in this portion causes the sperm not to be very motile.
• Passageway of the semen.
Ejaculatory duct
• 2 pouch-like organs consisting of many saclike structures located next to the ductus deferens and lying behind the bladder and in front of the rectum.
Seminal vesicle
• Each vesicle is about _ cm long, the thick, mucoid
secretion of the seminal vesicles is high in ____ & _____ and slightly ____ in nature (- pH), causing sperm cells to become more
_____ once surrounded by this nourishing fluid.
• Its secretions also contain _______, a substance thought to cause contractions of the female reproductive tract to help transport the sperm cells.
• Each vesicle is about 4 cm long, the thick, mucoid
secretion of the seminal vesicles is high in sugar & protein and slightly alkaline in nature (7-8 pH), causing sperm cells to become more motile once surrounded by this nourishing fluid.
• Its secretions also contain prostaglandins, a substance thought to cause contractions of the female reproductive tract to help transport the sperm cells.
• It secretes a thin,
milky alkaline fluid that helps to neutralize the acidic nature of the male urethra caused by the urine that passes through it enhancing sperm survival.
Prostate gland
• 2 small glands located below the prostate.
• Secrete an alkaline fluid that helps to neutralize the acidic nature of the urethra and provides additional lubrication during intercourse.
Cowper’s/bulbourethral gland
• Is a mixture of secretions from the seminal vesicles,
prostate gland, Cowper’s gland, ejaculatory duct
and sperm cells.
Semen
• The seminal vesicles produce about __% of the
fluid, the prostate gland __%, the testes _%, and
the bulbourethral glands _%.
• The seminal vesicles produce about 60% of the
fluid, the prostate gland 30%, the testes 5%, and
the bulbourethral glands 5%.
• Semen Composition:
− Volume: _ – _ ml
− Sperm count: ______/ml
− pH: __ – __(___)
− high in basic ___ and ___, particularly ____.
• Composition:
− Volume: 2 – 5 ml
− Sperm count: 100 million/ml
− pH: 7.2 – 7.4 (alkaline)
− high in basic sugar and protein, particularly mucin.
Spermatozoa are the only human cells that contain _____. They are made up of three basic parts: the ___, the ______, and the ____.
Spermatozoa are the only human cells that contain flagella. They are made up of three basic parts: the head, the middle- piece, and the tail.
The ____ is an oval-shaped structure, in which size ranges from 5 to 8 μm.
Head
The head consists of two parts:
Acrosome
Nucleus
The size of this organelle is 40% to 70% of total sperm head area, and is
located at one end of the sperm cell.
It contains proteolytic enzymes that help to destroy the outer layer of the egg cell, thereby allowing the sperm to enter into it easily.
Acrosome
It contains all the 23 chromosomes of the sperm cell, that is, half the genetic information that will have the new organism.
This is the only part of the sperm cell that enters into the egg cell. For this reason, it is a key part of the spermatozoon, as it is the one that unites with the egg’s nucleus to form a 46-chromosome cell called zygote.
Nucleus
are the parts that
can be found between the head and the tail.
Function:
is to connect both ends of the sperm cell.
Neckandmiddle-piece
Neck and middle-piece
The neck contains millions of spirally arranged
______.
Function:
to provide the sperm with all the energy required by the ______ to allow it to swim in the ________.
Neck and middle-piece
The neck contains millions of spirally arranged
mitochondria. Function:
to provide the sperm with all the energy required by the flagellum to allow it to swim in the female reproductive tract.
also known as flagellum, is a long
structure.
defects or alterations can lead to male fertility problems, being asthenozoospermia the most frequent one.
Tail
The length of the tail is about __ μm, allowing a swimming velocity of _ millimeters per minute approximately.
The length of the tail is about 50 μm, allowing a swimming velocity of 3 millimeters per minute approximately.
Main function of Tail:
to allow _______ by means of a ________ movement.
Main function:
to allow sperm motility by means of a slithering, snake-like movement.
is the stage of life at which secondary sex changes begin.
Puberty
In most girls, puberty changes are stimulated when the hypothalamus synthesizes and releases _______, which then triggers the anterior pituitary to release ________ & _________.
gonadotropin- releasing hormone (GnRH); follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)
are termed gonadotropin (gonad= “ovary”; tropin = “growth”) hormones not only because they begin the production of androgen and estrogen, which in turn initiate secondary sex characteristics, but also because they continue to cause the production of eggs and influence menstrual cycles throughout women’s lives
FSH and LH
are termed gonadotropin (gonad= “ovary”; tropin = “growth”) hormones not only because they begin the production of androgen and estrogen, which in turn initiate secondary sex characteristics, but also because they continue to cause the production of eggs and influence menstrual cycles throughout women’s lives
FSH and LH
Androgenic hormones are the hormones
responsible for:
1)
2)
3) increase in _________ that cause typical acne in both boys and girls during adolescence.
1) muscular development
2) physical growth
3) increase in sebaceous gland secretions that cause typical acne in both boys and girls during adolescence.
In males, androgenic hormones are produced by the _______ and the ____ and, in females, by the _______ and the ____.
adrenal cortex & testes; adrenal cortex & the ovaries
The Role of Androgen in MALES
The level of the primary androgenic hormone, testosterone, is ___ in males until puberty (between ages __ and __ years) when it rises to influence pubertal changes in the testes, scrotum, penis, prostate, and seminal vesicles;
the appearance of _______, ____, and ____ hair;
________ with its voice change;
maturation of _____; and
closure of growth plates in long bones (termed ______).
The Role of Androgen in MALES
The level of the primary androgenic hormone, testosterone, is low in males until puberty (between ages 12 and 14 years) when it rises to influence pubertal changes in the testes, scrotum, penis, prostate, and seminal vesicles;
the appearance of male pubic, axillary, and facial hair;
laryngeal enlargement with its voice change;
maturation of spermatozoa; and
accompanying
closure of growth plates in long bones (termed adrenarche).
The Role of Androgen in GIRLS
In girls, testosterone influences the
following:
1) enlargement of the _____ and ____
2) formation of ___ and ____ hair.
1) enlargement of the labia majora and clitoris
2) formation of axillary and pubic hair.
When triggered at puberty by FSH, ovarian follicles in females begin to excrete a high level of the hormone _____.
estrogen
The Role of Estrogen
This increase influences the following: development of the ____, ______,
and _____;
typical female ___ _______;
________; and
___ development.
This increase influences the following: development of the uterus, fallopian tubes,
and vagina;
typical female fat distribution;
hair patterns; and
breast development.
The Role of Estrogen
It also closes the _______ of _______ in girls the same way testosterone closes the growth plate in boys.
The beginning of breast development is termed _____-, which usually starts _ to _ years before menstruation.
It also closes the epiphyses of long bones in girls the same way testosterone closes the growth plate in boys.
The beginning of breast development is termed thelarche, which usually starts 1 to 2 years before menstruation.
