T2 L2 Defining the reproductive tracts Flashcards
What is the function of the reproductive organs?
Production, storage and delivery of germ cells
Sustains and supports a developing foetus / embryo in females
Where are the gonads located in females?
Housed in the lateral wall of the pelvis, inferior to the pelvic inlet
What is the function of the gonads in females?
Egg production
Hormone secretion
What is the blood supply / drainage to the female gonads?
Gonadal arteries and veins
What nerves supply the female gonads?
Ovarian plexus
What is contained in the ovarian cortex?
Ovarian follicles Smooth muscle Corpus lutem Theca cells Granulosa cells
What is contained in the ovarian follicles?
Germ cells which become ova
What is function of corpus luteum cells?
Secrete progesterone
What is the function of theca cells?
Secrete androgens
What is the function of granulosa cells?
Convert androgens to oestrogen
What is contained in the ovarian medulla?
Blood / lymph vessels and nerves
What makes up the internal ducts in females?
Fallopian tubes Uterus Cervix Vagina (Broad ligament)
What is the Fallopian tube?
Thin 8-10cm long tube
Passageway from ovaries to uterus
Describe the structure of the fallopian tube
Finger-like projections (fimbriae) which capture the released ovum 3 areas: -infundibulum -ampulla -isthmus
What is the function of the Fallopian tubes?
Inner wall contains cilia which propel ovum
Site of fertilisation
Describe the VAN of the fallopian tubes
Branches from uterine and ovarian arteries and veins
Sympathetic innervation from ovarian nerve
Parasympathetic innervation from pelvic splanchnic nerves
Describe the body of the uterus
Upper 2/3
Cone-shaped
What forms the lower 1/3 of the uterus?
Cervix
Describe the cervix
Cylindrical
Thick muscular layer to support the developing foetus
Lumen has a circular canal
Constricted opening at both ends
Describe the wall of the uterus
Perimetrium - outer serous wall covering the uterus
Myometrium - thick muscular layer that is responsible for the process of parturition
Endometrium - inner mucous layer. Site of implantation
What is the innervation to the uterus?
Sympathetic from hypogastric plexus along the uterine artery
Parasympathetic via pelvic splanchnic nerves
Touch and pain is via somatic afferents to S2-4
Describe the vagina
Musculomembranous tube
7-9cm long
Links cervix with vulva (vestibule)
What is the function of the vagina?
Canal for menstruation
Receives penis during copulation
Forms part of birth canal
What is the broad ligament?
Flat sheet of peritoneum
Extends from lateral pelvic walls on both sides and folds over internal female genitalia
What makes up the external genitalia in females?
Mons pubis
Labis minora and majora
Clitoris
Vestibular glands (Bartholin glands)
What is the function of the labia?
Copulatory organ
What is the function of the clitoris?
Arousal (erectile tissue)
What is the function of the Bartholin glands?
Lubrication of vestibule
What is the blood supply and drainage to the external genitalia in females?
Pudendal artery and vein
What innervates the external genitalia in females?
Branches of genitofemoral and pudendal nerve
What is contained in the testis?
250-300 lobules, each with 4 seminiferous tubules
-spermatogenic
-sertoli
Leidig cells
What ducts are in the testis?
Seminiferous tubules Rete testis Efferent ductules Epididymis Vas deferens
Where are the male gonads located?
In the scrotum
What is the function of the male gonads?
Sperm production
Hormone secretion
What is the blood supply to the male gonads?
Gonadal arteries and veins
What is the nervous supply to the male gonads?
Spermatic plexus
What is contained in the spermatic cord?
Vas deferens
Blood and lymphatic vessels
Cremaster muscle
Nerves such as branches of the genitofemoral
What arteries and veins supply the internal ducts in males?
Inferior vesical artery and vein
Middle rectal artery and vein
What is the nerve supply to the internal ducts in males?
Sympathetic innervation from splanchnic and hypogastric plexus
Parasympathetic from pelvic splanchnic nerves
Describe the seminal vesicles in the accessory glands in males
5cm elongated organ
Inferior to rectovesical pouch
Secretes alkaline fluid, fructose and coagulate
Describe the prostate gland
Blunt, inverted cone
3 x 4cm
Located at base of bladder
Secretes prostatic fluid
Describe the bulbourethral glands
Known as Cowpers glands
Pea-sized glands
Located inferior to prostate
Secretion assists lubrication of ducts
What is the blood supply to the accessory glands in males?
Inferior vesicle and prostatic vessels (internal iliac artery)
Describe the urethra in males
Leads into prostatic urethra
Becomes membranous then penile / spongy urethra
Describe the penis
Organ of copulation and urination
Root, body and glands
3 cylindrical bodies
What is the VAN to the penis?
Dorsal and deep arteries (internal pudendal)
Dorsal veins
Dorsal nerve of penis (pudendal)
Describe the scrotum
Houses testis in cooler environment
Smooth (dartos) muscle assists in regulating temperature
Scrotal vessels (pudendal)
Genitofemoral nerve
