The Pelvis and Pelvic Organs Flashcards
where are the testes located?
within the scrotum, suspended from the abdomen by the spermatic cord
what is the function of the testes?
site of sperm production and hormone synthesis
where are the epididymis located?
on the posterolateral aspect of each testes
what is the function of the epididymis?
sperm storage
what shape are the testes?
ellipsoid
what are the seminiferous tubules?
lined by sertoli cells that aid maturation of spermatozoa
where are the leydig cells and function?
found in the interstitial tissue - responsible for testosterone production
where is developing sperm collected?
rete testes
what is the tunica vaginalis?
closed sac of perietal peritoneal origin that contains small amount of viscous fluid. Acts as lubricant
what is the tunica albiginea?
a fibrous capsule that encloses the testes.
how many parts of the epididymis are there and what are they?
3 - head, body, and tail
describe the head of the epididymis
- most proximal part
- formed by efferent tubules of testes which transport sperm
describe the body of the epididymis
- formed by the heavily coiled duct of the epididymis
describe the tail of the epididymis
- most distal part
- marks the origin on the vas deferens
what is the function of the vas deferens?
transport sperm prostatic portion of urethra for ejaculation
what innervates the testes and epididymis?
the testicular plexus - network of nerves derived from renal and aortic plexi
where does the main arterial supply to the testes and epididymis come from?
testicular arteries that arise from the abdominal aorta.
they descend down the abdomen and pass into the scrotum via the inguinal canal in the spermatic cord
what other arteries supply the testes?
the cremasteric artery, and the artery of the vas deferens
what do the paired testicular veins do?
venous drainage
how are the paired testicular veins formed?
from the pampiniform plexus - a network of veins wrapped around the testicular artery
where does the left testicular vein drain?
the left renal vein
where does the right testicular vein drain?
directly into the inferior vena cava
what is varicocoele?
swelling of the paminifprm vein - bag of worm feeling
how many parts of the hip bone are there and what are they?
the ilium, the pubis, and the ischium
describe the ilium
- most superior part
- expands to form the wing
what is the iliac crest?
the thickened margin of the wing
describe the pubis
- most anterior
- consists of 3 section - the body, superior ramus, and inferior ramus
- ramus = branch*
describe the ischium
- forms posteroinferior part
- composed of body, and a superior and inferior ramus like the pubis
what are the functions of the penis?
1) sexual intercourse
2) micturition - urinary role
how many parts of the penis are there and what are they?
3 - root, body, glans
descibe the root of the penis
- most superior and fixed part
- contains 3 erectile tissues and 2 muscles
describe the body of the penis
- the free part of the penis
- composed of 3 cylinders of erectile tissue, 2 corpora cavernosa, and the corpus spongiosum
describe the glans of the penis
- most distal part
- conical in shape
- formed by distal expansion of corpus spongiosum
- contains opening of urethra = external urethral orifice
what 3 sources give the penis its arterial supply?
- dorsal and deep arteries of the penis
- bulboerethral artery
these are all branches of the internal pudendal artery
describe innervation of the penis
- sensory and sympathetic supplied by dorsal nerve
- parasympathetic innervation carried out by cavernous nerves from peri prostatic nerve plexus - responsible for erection
describe the uterus
thick walled muscular organ capable of expansion to accommodate a growing fetus
how many parts of the uterus are there and what are they?
3 parts - fundus, body, cervix
describe the fundus in the uterus
- the top
- above the entry point of the uterine tubes
describe the body of the uterus
usual site of implantation of the blastocyst
describe the cervix of the uterus
- lower part of the uterus
- links uterus with vagina
what is the anatomical position of the uterus?
immediately posterosuperior to the bladder, and anterior to the rectum
which artery supplies blood to the uterus?
uterine artery
where does venous drainage occur in the uterus
via a plexus in the broad ligament that drians into the uterine veins
what is the vulva?
the external female genitalia
what are the functions of the vulva?
1) sensory tissue during intercourse
2) assists in micurition by directing flow of urine
3) protects internal female reproductive tract from infection
what are the 6 structures that make up the vulva?
1) mons pubis
2) labia majora
3) labia minora
4) vestibule
5) bartholin’s glands
6) clitoris
describe the mons pubis
- fat pad located anterior to pubic symphysis
- formed by fusion of labia majora
describe the labia majora
- 2 external skin folds
- hair bearing
- extend from mons pubis posteriorly
describe the labia minora
- 2 hairless folds of skin
- lie within labia majora
- merge posteriorly
describe the vestibule
- the area enclosed by the labia minora
- contains the openings of the vagina and urethra
describe the bartholin’s glands
- secrete lubricating mucus from small ducts during sexual arousal
- found either side of vaginal orifice
describe the clitoris
- formed of erectile corpora cavernosa tissue which becomes enlarged during sexual stimulation
which artery supplies blood to the vulva?
paired internal - branch of internal iliac artery and external pudendal arteries - branch of femoral artery
how is venous achieved by the vulva?
via the pudendal veins, with smaller labial veins contributing
