Repro - Anatomy

Question 1

How does the venous drainage of the left and right gonads differ?

Answer 1

The left ovary/testis drains via the left gonadal vein and left renal vein into the inferior vena cava; the right ovary/testis drains directly from the right gonadal vein to the inferior vena cava

Question 2

Which lymph nodes might be biopsied, if needed, for a patient with a testicular or ovarian malignancy?

Answer 2

The para-aortic lymph nodes, which are the lymphatic drainage of the gonads

Question 3

Which bilateral organ other than the gonads has similar venous drainage to the gonads (ie, the left organ drains to the left renal vein and the right organ drains to the inferior vena cava)?

Answer 3

The adrenal glands

Question 4

Lymph from the distal one third of the vagina/vulva/scrotum would drain to which lymph nodes?

Answer 4

The superficial inguinal lymph nodes

Question 5

Lymph from the proximal two thirds of the vagina/uterus would drain to which three lymph nodes?

Answer 5

Obturator, external iliac, and hypogastric lymph nodes

Question 6

Which vessels are found within the suspensory ligament of the ovaries?

Answer 6

The ovarian vessels

Question 7

Which vessels are found within the transverse cervical (cardinal) ligament?

Answer 7

The uterine vessels

Question 8

Which vessels are found within the round ligament?

Answer 8

0 (remember: round like the number of structures it carries: 0)

Question 9

What structures are contained within the broad ligament of the uterus?

Answer 9

The round ligament of the uterus, the fallopian tubes, and the ovaries

Question 10

Name the ligament that attaches the ovary to the uterus.

Answer 10

The ligament of the ovary (do not confuse with the suspensory ligament of the ovary)

Question 11

Name the ligament that attaches to the superior aspect of the uterus, travels through the inguinal canal, and attaches distally to the labia majora.

Answer 11

Round ligament of the uterus

Question 12

Name the ligament that attaches the ovaries to the lateral pelvic wall.

Answer 12

The suspensory ligaments of the ovaries

Question 13

What ligament attaches the cervix to the side wall of the pelvis?

Answer 13

The transverse cervical (cardinal) ligament

Question 14

What is the name of the space between the uterus and the rectum?

Answer 14

The pouch of Douglas

Question 15

Through which structures do sperm travel during ejaculation?

Answer 15

Seminiferous tubules, Epididymis, Vas deferens, Ejaculatory ducts, Nothing, Urethra, Penis (remember: SEVEN UP)

Question 16

Erection is mediated by the _____ (sympathetic/parasympathetic) nervous system, whereas ejaculation is mediated by the _____ (sympathetic/parasympathetic) nervous system.

Answer 16

Parasympathetic; sympathetic (remember Point & Shoot)

Question 17

What is the role of nitric oxide in the physiology of penile erection?

Answer 17

Nitric oxide is proerectile, causing smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation via the cGMP pathway to increase blood flow to the penis

Question 18

Name two drugs that are proerectile and work via the nitric oxide pathway.

Answer 18

Sildenafil, vardenafil

Question 19

What is the effect of norepinephrine on the male sexual response?

Answer 19

Norepinephrine is antierectile, causing smooth muscle contraction and vasoconstriction via calcium influx to reduce blood flow to the penis

Question 20

Which nerve is responsible for emission (the release of ejaculatory fluid into the urethra)?

Answer 20

The hypogastric nerve (the sympathetic nervous system)

Question 21

Which nerve is responsible for ejaculation?

Answer 21

The pudendal nerve (visceral and somatic components)

Question 22

The acrosome of the sperm is derived from what organelle?

Answer 22

The Golgi apparatus

Question 23

The flagellum (tail) of the sperm is derived from what organelle.

Answer 23

One of the centrioles

Question 24

The middle piece (neck) of the sperm contains what organelle?

Answer 24

The mitochondria (remember Middle piece has Mitochondria)

Question 25

What is the sperm’s food supply?

Answer 25

Fructose (remember: Feeds on Fructose)

Question 26

What is the final phase of spermatogenesis called?

Answer 26

Spermiogenesis, in which a spermatid becomes a spermatozoa

Question 27

Of the cells found in the seminiferous tubules, what are the germ cells called? The non-germ cells? The endocrine cells?

Answer 27

Spermatogonia; Sertoli cells; Leydig cells

Question 28

Which cell types line the apical side of seminiferous tubules?

Answer 28

Sertoli cells and spermatogonia

Question 29

Name six general functions of Sertoli cells.

Answer 29

Secretion of inhibin, secretion of androgen-binding protein, formation of the blood-testis barrier, support and nourishment of developing sperm, regulation of spermatogenesis, and production of anti-müllerian hormone (remember: Sertoli cells Support Sperm Synthesis)

Question 30

What is the effect of inhibin released by Sertoli cells?

Answer 30

Inhibition of follicle-stimulating hormone release

Question 31

What is the effect of androgen-binding protein released by Sertoli cells?

Answer 31

Androgen-binding protein maintains the high testosterone levels that are required for spermatogenesis

Question 32

Why is a blood-testis barrier necessary?

Answer 32

It isolates genetically unique sperm from the immune system, preventing autoimmune attack

Question 33

What are the three major components of semen?

Answer 33

Seminal vesicle products (60% of total volume), prostate products (20% of total volume), and sperm

Question 34

What sugar does semen contain? Where does it come from?

Answer 34

Fructose, which comes from the seminal vesicles

Question 35

What mineral does semen contain? Where does it come from?

Answer 35

Zinc, which comes from the prostate gland