Week 9 Flashcards
What does WHO say about infertility as a disease?
“A disease of the reproductive system defined by failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse”
What are the main things the Wilkinson & Williams 2016 paper says about infertility as a disease?
If perceived as a disease, public funding for its treatment is construed as justified & what remains to be determined is its prioritization in relation to other required treatments competing for limited resources…if not, funding it may not be justified from the outset
Who is the legal father and mother in surrogacy?
- Legal mother= person who gave birth (legal change through parental orders/adoption)
- Legal father= genetic father
What does the Warnock & Brazier reports say about surrogacy?
- Brazier (1997) stated that agreements should continue to remain unenforceable
- Warnock (1984): “inconsistent with human dignity that a woman should use her uterus for financial profit”
What according to NHS Scotland (2013) are prenatal screening tests?
- Offered to all pregnant women to assess chance of baby having a particular health problem/disability
- Do NOT provide definitive diagnosis
What according to NHS Scotland (2013) are prenatal diagnostic tests?
- Follow-on tests carried out to find whether baby does have a particular condition
- Offered to “Higher-chance” result from screening
What are 5 reasons why you would carry out screening & testing?
- Reassure parents
- Inform & prepare parents for birth of an affected infant
- Allow in utero treatment, or delivery at a specialist centre for immediate postnatal treatment
- Allow termination of affected foetus
- Provide information so that parents may choose between 2,3,4. issue= choice
What are the 3 different types of screening & diagnostic testing for natural conception?
- Non-invasive ie. ultrasound, serum test, questionnaire
- Invasive prenatal dianostic (PND) testing ie. chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis (increased chance of miscarriage)
- NIPT/ NIPD
What is the screening & diagnostic test for in vitro fertilisation (IVF)?
- Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)
- (CRISPR if it was used)
What, when, why is ultrasound screening?
- WHAT: sound waves, painless, no risk
- WHEN: dating scan 12 weeks, anomaly scan 20 weeks
- WHY: anomaly, physical abnormalities ie. spina bifida
What is the ethical issues arising from ultrasound screening?
Everyone is offered anomaly scan, not everyone chooses to take it
What, when, why is a Down’s Syndrome screen?
- WHAT: combination of ultrasound & serum test
- WHEN: 10-13 weeks
- WHY: measures chance of DS, not a diagnostic test (can also detect Edward’s Syndrome T18)
What is the ethical issues arising from Down’s Syndrome screen?
- Risk (low v high)
- If greater than 1:150 then option to take diagnostic test (amniocentesis or CVS)
What does a serum test analyse?
- Markers in blood including:
- Pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A)
- Free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (free beta-hCG)
How good is the “combined” screening test for Down’s Syndrome?
- False positives (2.2%): test abnormal, foetus not affected
- False negatives (16%): test normal, foetus affected
What is the Quadruple test for Down’s Syndrome?
- Used if women presents later (14 weeks 2days +)
- Blood test: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), total human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), unconjugated oestriol, inhibin-A
- FN: 20%, FP 3.5%
What, when, why is the amniocentesis diagnostic test?
- WHAT: needle inserted through abdomen & into amniotic fluid
- WHEN: 15+ weeks
- WHY: previous pregnancy with fetal problems, family history, >35yrs, antenatal screening result suggests a problem
What 4 things is Amniocentesis used to test for?
- Down’s syndrome
- Other Chromosomal disorders
- Blood disorders (sickle cell)
- Genetic disorders (sex)
What are the ethical issues arising from amniocentesis?
- 0.5-1% risk of miscarriage (also, delay in getting results)
- Infection
- Injury
- FP 0.1-0.6%
- FN 0.6%
What, when, why is Chorionic villus sampling?
- WHAT: fine needle inserted through abdomen & into uterus, through cervix & small piece of developing placenta removed
- WHEN: 11 weeks
- WHY: tests inherited disorders (cystic fibrosis, sickle cell, thalassemias, muscular dystrophy) & chromosomal disorders (sex).
What are the ethical issues arising from chorionic villus sampling?
- 1-2% risk of miscarriage (delay in getting results)
- Infection
- Heavy bleeding
- FP 1-2%
- FN 2%
Give 6 examples of diseases for which DNA tests are available?
- Cystic fibrosis
- Phenylketonuria
- Tay-Sachs
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy
- Huntington’s disease
- Inherited breast & ovarian cancers
What is the recent development of non-invasive prenatal genetic testing (NIPT)?
- Cell-free foetal DNA (DNA from placenta, v similar to DNA from foetus)
- Early use 9-10weeks
What are the positives of cell-free foetal DNA (NIPT)?
- Risk of chromosomal abnormalities with more accuracy than other non-invasive methods (invasive still required for definitive results)
- Definitive diagnosis of some conditions (cystic fibrosis, achrondroplasia)
- Determine gender
What report discusses the use of NIPT?
Nuffield Report, March 2017
Describe preimplantation genetic diagnosis?
- Offered to couples at risk of passing on genetic disorder
- Removing 1 cell from early embryo (4-8 cell embryo)
- PGD not common & expensive
What are the types of disorders acceptable for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (HFE Act 2008)?
- Disorder that may affect capacity for live birth
- Risk of child being born with/developing serious disability (genetic, chromosomal, mitochondrial)
- Gender-related disorder, can use to select gender
- 100+ conditions on HFEA site
According to Code of Practice, how serious is a “serious” disability?
- Take into consider the views of those seeking treatment
- Likely degree of suffering
- Availability of effective treatment
- Speed of degeneration
- Extent of intellectual impairment
- Social support available
- Family circumstances
Describe Huntington’s Disease?
- Inherited, late onset, degenrative condition
- Manifests ~30-50yrs
- 50/50 chance of inheriting it from affected parent
- Non sex linked dominant inheritance pattern
What case talks about the preference for disabled embryos?
- Tomato Lichy & Paula Garfield
- They did NOT want to positively select but it opened the debate
What is Saviour siblings?
- Create embryo (PGD) that will be tissue match (Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)) for existing child who has a condition that requires ie. bone marrow transplant
- 2001 this was approved for removal of cord blood cells & embryo had to be at risk of inheriting same disorder
- 2004 both of these conditions were removed, hence bone marrow transplant now possible
What are 3 examples of saviour siblings?
- Hashmi family (2002)- beta-thalassaemia inherited, UK (HFEA) granted permission
- Whittaker family (2002)- diamond Blackfan anaemia, no inherited, UK (HFEA) refused, US granted
- Fletcher family (2004)- diamond Blackfan anaemia, not inherited, UK (HFEA) granted approval
Is saviour siblings ethical?
- Savious sibling being “used” as a means to help other child than an end in themselves?… but people have children for all kinds of reasons
- What is psychological effect on saviour sibling (& existing child) & resultant relationship?… what impact of bereavement on a family
What is CRISPR?
Gene editing technology at embryo stage (IVF) & post-birth
Where do the female reproductive organs lie within the pelvic cavity?
- Above pelvic floor
- Vagina & urethra pass through pelvic floor & urogenital triangle
Where does the obturator nerve lie?
Lateral wall of pelvis (ovary lies just medial to it)
Describe the ovary?
- Almond-shaped
- Lateral pelvic wall in ovarian fossa
- Between internal & external iliac vessels
- Medial to obturator nerve & thin wall of acetabulum
- Produces ovum monthly in response to FSH & LH
- Also produces oestrogen & progesterone
- Truly intraperitoneal
What is a possible clinical problem with the ovary being near the acetabulum?
Central dislocation of the hip may injure the ovary
What ligaments support the ovary?
Hangs off posterior aspect of broad ligament on mesovarium & supported by ovarian ligament & suspensory ligament
Describe the round ligament of the ovary?
- Continuation of ligament of ovary (both remnants of gubernaculum)
- Passes from uterus through inguinal canal to labia
What is at risk during surgery to the ovary?
Ureter as it lies posteriorly to ovary
Where does referred pain go to in ovarian disease?
Medial thigh due to obturator nerve lying laterally
What is the arterial supply of the ovary?
Ovarian artery from aorta at L1/2
What is the nerve supply of the ovary?
Where is the referred pain?
- Pre-aortic sympathetic nerves from T10/11
- Referred pain peri-umbilical region
What is the venous supply of the ovary?
- Ovarian vein forms plexus
- Left drains to left renal vein
- Right ovarian vein drains to IVC
What is the lymph drainage of the ovary?
Para-aortic nodes (lateral)
What forms the suspensory ligament?
Ovarian vessels about to enter the broad ligament
Describe the uterine tube?
- Ostium surrounded by fimbriae within peritoneal cavity
- Infundibulum, Ampulla (fertilisation occurs), Isthmus, Intramural part through uterine wall
- Lies upper, free edge of broad ligament
- Blood supply from anastomosis between ovarian & uterine arteries
Where does pain from uterine tube go?
Lower abdominal
Describe the uterus?
- Pear-shaped
- Thick, muscular walled
- Narrow cavity
- Implantation of fertilised ovum & growth of foetus & placenta
What supports the uterus?
- Levator ani
- Perineal body
- Perineal membrane
- Fascial thickenings on pelvic floor passing from uterus & cervic to sacrum, pubis & lateral pelvic walls
What forms the Tendinous Arch of Pelvic Fascia?
Visceral & parietal fasciae meeting & fusing as the organs pierce the pelvic floor
What are the different supportive uterine ligaments?
- Transerve cervical/cardinal ligament with uterine artery
- Pubocervical
- Lateral ligament of bladder
- Uterosacral
- Paracolpium
- Tendinous Arch of Pelvic fascia
Describe the peritoneum of the pelvis in relation to the female reproductive system?
Sheet over uterus, uterine tubes & ovarian ligaments to form broad ligament from uterus to lateral pelvic wall
What hold the uterus in an anteverted (entry to vagina) & anteflexed (between cervix & body) position over the bladder?
Broad & Round ligaments
What does the cervix of the uterus form?
Posterior & anterior fornices at the vagina
What is the clinical problem with vaginal fornices?
- They are distensible & foreign bodies may get “lost”
- Peritoneal cavity may be accessed via the posterior fornix
Describe the female cervix?
- Isthmus of uterus leads to internal ostium
- Vaginal part opens into vagina as external ostium & has vaginal fornices around it
The ureter lies ______ to the uterine vessels?
BELOW
What can retroversion &/or retroflexion of the uterus cause?
Back-ache & difficulty in conception
What is related to posterior vaginal fornix?
Recto-uterine pouch of Douglas
What is the blood supply of the uterus & vagina?
Anastomosing uterine & vaginal arteries (+ superior vesical artery)
Describe the vagina?
- Angled upwards & backwards
- Passing from cervix to vestibule
- Between labia minora
- Anterior & posterior walls in contact
- Passes through levator ani into perineum where its surrounded by urethral/urethrovaginal sphincter
What arteries supply the urethra?
Vaginal & Internal pudendal
Describe the female urethra?
- Many small mucous glands & lacunae
- Para-urethral glands & ducts near orifice
- Passes through deep perineal pouch with external sphincter & perineal membrane
- External sphincter signet ring
- Other longitudinal muscle to make urethra shorter, wider during micturition
What is the epithelial of the female urethra?
Urinary but quickly becomes stratified squamous
What is the lymph drainage of the bladder & urethra?
External & internal iliac nodes
What is the lymph drainage of the uterus & proximal vagina?
Internal iliac nodes
What is the lymph drainage of the uterine tube?
Para-aortic but may also pass superficial inguinal nodes
What is the lymph supply of the distal vagina & urethra?
Deep & superficial inguinal nodes
What is the nerve supply of the female pelvis?
- Sympathetic pre-aortic plexus (T10-L2), continues as superior hypogastric plexus –> left & right pelvic plexuses (T12-L2)
- Parasympathetic to pelvic plexuses (S2,3,4)
- Somatic pudendal (S2,3,4)
Where does pain from the uterine body & proximal uterine tube go?
Via branches of pelvic plexus with sympathies mainly from T12 & L1 = suprapubic
Where does pain from the uterine cervix & proximal vagina go?
“Pain line” via the parasympathetic pelvic splanchnics & pelvic plexuses therefore felt deeply in the pelvis
What is the nerve supply of the distal vagina?
Somatic pudendal
Where does the diamond-shaped perineum lie?
Inferior to pelvic outlet & pelvic floor
Describe the location of the urogenital triangle of perineum?
Between pubic symphysis & ischiopubic rami, anterior to ischial tuberosities
What passes through the lesser sciatic foramen?
Pudendal nerve with internal pudendal vessels recurving into perineum, inferior to pelvic floor
What does the perineal membrane (between the ischiopubic rami) divide the urogenital triangle into?
Superficial, deep pouch & inferior, superficial pouch
What does the anterior aperture of the perineal membrane allow the passage of?
Nerves & vessels to penis/clitoris
Describe the inferior & superior boundary of the deep pouch in a male?
- INFERIOR: thick perineal membrane
- SUPERIOR: thinner fascia covering superior surface
What does the deep pouch contain in the male?
- External urethral sphincter
- Deep transverse perineal muscles
- Urethra
- Bulbo-urethral glands
What does the superficial pouch contain?
- Penis/Clitoris
- Labia minora & majora
- Vulva & vaginal vestibule
What are the comparable features of the penis & clitoris?
- 2 crura, attached to ischiopubic rami become corpora cavernosa that fill with blood in erection
- 1 central bulb split in female as bulb of vestibule, in male becomes corpus spongiosum housing urethra to prevent its compression during erection
What 2 things form the root?
Crura & bulb
What are the 3 corpora on the body of the penis?
- 2 dorsal cavernosa
- 1 ventral spongiosum
Describe the skin of the penis?
- Dark, loose, no fat
- Superficial, dartos fascia surrounds whole penis
- “Doubles back on itself” to form prepuce/foreskin continuous with glans at corona
Describe the corpora cavernosa of the penis?
- Divided by septum that is complete proximally, but pectiniform distally (to even out pressure & stay straight)
- Each surrounded by thick tunica albuginea & deep fascia (Buck’s) surrounds them all
Describe the corpus spongiosum of the penis?
- Transmits urethra
- Forms glands as a cap over corpora cavernosa
Describe the 2 muscles which support the penis & contribute to erection?
- Ischiocavernosus surrounds each crus
2. Bulbospongiosis surrounds bulb & also compresses urethra during ejaculation/ to expel urine
What are the 2 supportive ligaments of the penis?
- Fundiform
2. Triangular (suspensory) from lines alba & pubic symphysis
Describe the foreskin of a penis?
- Fold of skin, continuous with glans & also mucous membrane of urethra
- Small frenulum, ventrally between foreskin & glans with increased sensation
- Sebaceous glands form smegma
Describe the membranous part of the urethra in the male?
- Narrowest part except for external orifice
- Fibro-elastic tube & smooth muscle, within striated external sphincter & pubo-urethral/puboprostatic part of levator ani to resist surges of raised intra-abdominal pressure
Describe the external sphincter in the membranous urethra in the male?
- Inverted pear shape
- Base on perineal membrane
- Apex pushing into prostatic urethra
Describe the spongy/anterior/bulbar/penile urethra in the male?
- Narrowest part at external orifice
- Bulbo-urethral glands
- Many scattered glands esp. in navicular fossa (lacuna magna)
What must be straightened when passing a urethral catheter?
- Right angle bend between membranous & bulbar urethra
- Right angle bend between spongy urethra as it becomes pendulous
Describe the different types of epithelium in the urethra in male?
- Urothelium until ejaculatory ducts
- Pseudostratified columnar
- Stratified squamous in distal urethra
- Keratinised at external orifice
What may glandular fossae (urethral lacunae) contain in elderly?
Concretions
What does navicular fossa, like vagina, produce?
Defensive lactobacilli
Describe the female external genitalia (vulva)?
- Labium majus laterally, then labium minus, vagina & urethra opening in vestibule
- Labia minora divide into medial & lateral folds to form prepuce of clitorus
- Labia majora meet anteriorly = mons pubis, meet posteriorly = commissure/fourchette
How must episiotomy be performed & why?
Backwards & angled laterally, usually to right, to avoid cutting the anal sphincter
Describe the female clitoris?
- Body is 2 crura
- Bulb contributes minimally as a little cap over highly sensitive glans
(urethra opens inferiorly to it, NOT in the clitoris)
What can occur at the greater vestibular or Bartholin’s glands in the female genitalia?
Site of painful cyst or abscess formation
What arteries does the internal pudendal artery give off?
- Supplies perineum
- Urethra
- Posterior 2/3 of scrotum & labia
- Cavernous tissue of penis/clitoris
- Skin of shaft & glans of penis/clitoris
What supplies the anterior 1/3 of the scrotum & labia?
External pudendal artery from femoral artery
What is the venous drainage of the penile skin & foreskin?
Superficial dorsal veins to external pudendals
What is the venous drainage of the glans & shaft of penis?
Deep dorsal vein to prostatic plexus & then internal iliac