A & P - reproductive systems Flashcards
(165 cards)
1
Q
what are the functions of the male reproductive system?
A
introduce male gamete to female repro. tract
produce androgens
production, storage and nourishment of male gametes
2
Q
what does the male reproductive system consist of?
A
testes scrotum ducts glands penis
3
Q
name the 3 ducts of the male reproductive system
A
epididymal duct
vas (ductus) deferens
urethra
4
Q
name 3 glands of the male reproductive system
A
bulbourethral
seminal vesicles
prostate
5
Q
what are the dimensions of the testes?
A
4cm long x 2.5cm diameter
6
Q
what separates the 2 compartments of the scrotum?
A
scrotal septum
7
Q
what is the raphe?
A
median ridge which separates scrotum externally
8
Q
what is each testis suspended by?
A
spermatic cord
9
Q
what does the spermatic cord pass through?
A
inguinal canal - diagonally form/to abdominal cavity
10
Q
what does the spermatic cord contain?
A
vas (ductus) deferens testicular artery cremasteric artey cremaster muscle testicular venous plexus lymph vessels nerves
11
Q
how many lobules does each testis have?
A
300
12
Q
what divides the testis into lobules?
A
tunica albuginea
13
Q
how many seminiferous tubules does each lobule in testis contain?
A
1 to 4
14
Q
where does spermatogenesis occur?
A
seminiferous tubules
15
Q
what is spermatogenesis?
A
creation of spermatozoa
16
Q
what forms the walls of the seminiferous tubules?
A
Sertoli (sustentacular) cells
17
Q
what is the function of the sertoli cells?
A
secrete nutrients for spermatozoa
18
Q
what are in the wall of the seminiferous tubules?
A
spermatogenic cells
19
Q
where in the wall of the seminiferous tubule are mature cells most likely to be?
A
near lumen - ready to be released
20
Q
what is mitosis?
A
division of a parent cell into 2 identical daughter cells
21
Q
what is meiosis?
A
occurs in germ cells to produce gamete - number of chromosomes reduced to 23 pairs
22
Q
what is spermiogensis?
A
converts spermatids to spermatozoa
23
Q
when does meiosis I occur in males?
A
at puberty
24
Q
how many spermatids are created from 1 germ cell?
A
4
25
describe the structure of spermatozoa
head - nucleus (DNA), acrosome (enzymes)
middle piece - mitochondria (power)
tail - flagellum (movement)
26
what are sertoli cells in seminiferous tubules needed for?
maturation of spermatozoa - support & nourish
release spermatozoa into lumen
produce fluid to transport spermatozoa
27
what are leydig cells in seminiferous tubules needed for?
secretion of androgenic steroids (eg. testosterone)
28
what is the blood-testis barrier in seminiferous tubules needed for?
to stop blood and sperm cells mixing - could cause immune response
29
what do sertoli cells in seminiferous tubules secrete?
inhibin
androgen binding protein
mullerian-inhibiting substance
30
what is the structure of the sertoli cell?
tall columnar polymorphic cells
31
what temperature do the testes need to be?
35c
32
which muscle draws the testes closer to the body?
cremaster muscle
33
which muscle is used to decrease surface area of the testes by wrinkling skin?
dartos muscle
34
where does heat exchange take place to cool the testes?
pampiniform plexus (venous plexus)
35
secretions from the leydig cells in seminiferous tubules causes what to develop?
the secondary sexual characteristics (eg. public hair)
36
where are spermatozoa matured?
in the tail of epididymus
37
name the ducts which join the seminiferous tubules to the urethra
```
straight seminiferous tubules
rete testis
epididymal duct
vas (ductus) deferens
ejaculatory duct
ureathra
```
38
describe the structure of the vas deferens
45cm long fibromuscular tube.
| a narrow lumen surrounded by thick muscle
39
what are the functions of the vas deferens?
stores and conveys spermatozoa
40
how does the vas deferens enter the abdominal cavity?
through inguinal canal
41
describe the route the vas deferens takes
medial to ureter and superior, then posterior to bladder
42
what is the dilated terminal end of the vas deferens called?
ampulla
43
how are spermatozoa expelled from vas deferens?
peristalsis
44
what are stereocilia? and what is their function?
microvilli in the vas deferens which absorb dead/damaged sperm
45
where is the vas deferens cut in a vasectomy?
near epididymis
46
name the 3 accessory glands of the male reproductive system
seminal vesicle
prostate
bulbo-urethral
47
describe the structure of the seminal vesicle
convoluted muscular gland
5cm long
posterior to bladder
joins vas deferens to form ejaculatory duct
48
what does the seminal vesicle secrete?
alkaline- nutrients (fructose) containing secretion
49
what volume of the semen does the secretion from the seminal vesicles account for?
60%
50
describe the structure of the prostate gland
4cm x 3cm x 2cm
inferior to bladder
surrounds prostatic urethra
51
what is the function of secretion from the prostate gland and what volume do they account for in semen?
assist sperm motility
| 25% of semen volume
52
what is the name for an enlarged prostate?
benign prostatic hyperplasia
53
what are the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia?
increase frequency of urination
nocturia urgency
hesitancy
weak stream
54
what are the treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia?
alpha androgenic blockers - Alfuzosin
| 5-alpha reductase inhibitor - Finasteride
55
what is prostatitis?
inflammation of the prostate - acute (bacterial) or chronic (unknown)
56
what are the symptoms of prostatitis?
painful urination and ejaculation
| discomfort in pelvis
57
what are the treatments of prostatitis?
antibiotics
| alpha inhibitors
58
what test can be performed to diagnosis prostate cancer?
prostate - specific antigen blood test
59
why does prostate cancer often metastasize?
its connected to the venous plexus
60
describe the structure of the bulbo-urethral glands
1cm in diameter
lined by mucus secreting epithelium
produced mucus like secretion during arousal
neutralises urine residue
61
describe the structure of the urethra
20cm long
| 3 parts: prostatic part, membranous part, spongy part
62
name 3 regions of the penis
root, shaft, glans penis
63
where does the bulb of the penis attach?
inferior to the surface of urogenital membrane - becomes corpus spongiosum
64
where does the crura of the penis attach
roof of the penis to pubic arch - becomes corpus cavernosa
65
what is the shaft of the penis bound by?
tunica albugina
66
what forms the glans penis?
tip of corpus spongiosum
67
what partially covers the glans penis and urethral orifice?
prepuce
68
what causes the arteries to dilate during an erection?
parasympathetic impulses
69
what do the endothelium cells in the penis produce during an erection?
nitric oxide - causes smooth muscle to relax
70
what impulses cause ejaculation?
sympathetic impulses
71
contraction of the smooth muscle in the penis allows secretions from where?
epididymal duct
vas deferens
prostate
seminal vesicles
72
what is emission in relation to the penis?
small amount of seminal fluid released before ejaculation
73
what causes ejaculation?
contraction of bulbospongiosus muscle (also compresses urethra)
74
what is the inguinal canal a pathway for?
descending testes
75
what is cryptorchidism?
when testes don't descend
76
when do testes usually descend?
7-8months of pregnancy
77
what is an inguinal hernia?
a weakness in the wall of the inguinal canal causes by descend of testes
also caused by intra abdominal pressure
78
how much semen is there in each ejaculation?
2-5ml
79
how many sperm are present per ml of semen?
20-100 million
80
how much of the volume of each ejaculate is sperm?
less than 1%
81
what does semen consist of?
sperm
seminal fluid
enzymes
82
what is oligospermia?
low sperm count
83
name the external genitalia of the female reproductive system
mons pubis
labia
clitoris
84
name the internal genitalia of the female reproductive system
ovaries
fallopian tubes
uterus
vagina
85
describe the structure of the ovary
4cm x 2cm x 1cm
| lies on surface of broad ligament
86
how is the ovary attached to the abdominal wall
by the suspensory ligament
87
what attaches the ovaries to the uterus?
ligament of ovary
88
what is the broad ligament made of?
peritoneum
89
the uterus is sandwiched between two layers of what?
broad ligament
90
what is the outer most layer of the ovary?
germinal epithelium
91
what is the inner most layer of the ovary?
cortex - ovarian follicles and stromal cells
92
what enters the ovary at the hilum?
neurovascular supply
autonomic nerve fibres - from ovarian plexus
lymphatic drainage
ovarian arteries
93
when does mitosis of sperm begin?
in puberty
94
when does mitosis of ovum complete?
in foetal life
95
when does meiosis of ovum begin and complete?
begins in foetal life but only complete if ovum is released during an ovulation cycle
96
when does meiosis II complete in females?
only if the ovum is fertilised
97
name the 4 parts of the fallopian tube
infundibulum - closest to ovary
ampulla
isthmus
intramural segment - continuous with wall of uterus
98
describe the functions of the fallopian tubes
convey oocyte from peritoneal cavity to uterus
| convey spermatozoa to fertilisation site
99
where is the oocyte usually fertilised?
ampulla
100
describe the structure of the fallopian tube
```
10cm long
highly convoluted interior
muscular tube
ciliated simple columnar epithelium
secretory cells
```
101
what are fimbriae?
finger like projections at the ovary end of the fallopian tube - produce currents
102
how does the oocyte move along the fallopian tube?
cilia and peristalsis
103
when does fertilisation usually occur?
24hrs post ovulation - 3-4 days for egg to move through fallopian tube
104
describe the structure of the uterus
inverted pear
| 7.5cm x 5cm x 2.5cm
105
describe the position of the uterus
flattened antero-posteriorly
superior to bladder
tilted (anteverted) and bent (anteflexed) anteriorly
106
which ligament attaches the uterus to the sacrum?
utero-sacral
107
which ligament attaches the uterus to the cavity?
cardinal
108
which ligament attaches the cervix to pubic mound?
pubo-cervical fascia
109
name the 3 parts of the uterus
fundus
body
cervix
110
which pouch in the abdominal cavity is the lowest point?
rectouterine pouch (pouch of Douglas)
111
name the pouches of the abdominal cavity
rectouterine
| vesicouterine
112
what occurs in the functional zone of the uterus?
```
structure changes dramatically through cycle
shed monthly (28 days)
```
113
what occurs in the basal zone of the uterus?
not shed
| provides cellular reserve for re-growth of functional layer
114
name the 2 areas of the cervix
endocervix
| ectocervix - continuous with vagina
115
where in the cervix does the epithelium change?
squamo-columnar junction
116
what happens to the position of the cervix at puberty?
it moves inferiorly into vagina
117
what is the transformation zone in the cervix?
area where columnar may change to squamous epithelium
118
how long does the menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle last?
between days 1 and 5 - spiral arteries constrict, functional layer sloughed off
119
on which days of the menstrual cycle does the proliferative phase occur?
days 6 - 14 - oestrogen controlled, build up of tissue and glands
120
on which days of the menstrual cycle does the secretory phase occur?
days 15 -28 - progesterone controlled, glands enlarged, spiral arteries coil
121
what is metaplasia relating to the cervix?
change of one cell type to another
122
what are the characteristics of carcinoma?
dense, dark, irregular cells
123
what is dyplasia relating to the cervix?
cells which are beginning to look abnormal
124
describe the structure of the vagina
8cm long
fibromuscular tube
lined with stratified squamous epithelium
mucosa arranged in rugae
125
why is the vagina acidic?
decomposition of glycogen
126
what is the mons pubis?
fatty pad over pubic symphysis
127
what are the labia majora?
prominent skin folds
128
what are the labia minora?
skin enclosing urethral and vaginal orifices
| meet at clitoris and fourchette
129
what is an episiotomy?
mediolateral incision from fourchette
130
what is the function of the pelvic floor?
support pelvic contents
131
what does the pelvic floor form?
roof of perineum
132
what muscles make up the pelvic floor?
coccygeus and levator ani muscles
133
what does the mammary gland consist of?
adipose tissue
glandular tissue
fibrous tissue
134
during pregnancy progesterone stimulates what in the mammary glands?
secretory alveoli
135
Prolactin released from the anterior pituitary does what in the mammary glands?
stimulates alveoli cells to synthesis milk proteins and lipids
136
oxytocin released from the posterior pituitary gland stimulates what in the mammary glands?
ejection of milk with help from myoepithelial cells contracting
137
name some lymph nodes in the mammary gland
apical lymph node
central lymph node
subscapular lymph node
pectoral lymph node
138
what functions does hormonal control play in the female reproductive system?
control menstrual cycle
controls ovulation
prepares uterus for implantation
139
which cells secrete follicular fluid?
granulosa cells
140
what is a follicle?
ovum and follicular cells
141
what is the function of FSH in the female reproductive system?
- stimulates growth and development of follicles
- promotes ovaries to secrete oestrogen - stimulates LH receptors on granulosa cells
- promotes secretion of inhibin by ovaries (this inhibits FSH)
142
what can't happen without LH surge in the female reproductive system??
ovulation
143
what is the function of LH in the female reproductive system?
induce ovulation
| formation of corpus luteum
144
how is the follicle released from the ovary?
- increased LH increases collagenase activity (this digested collagen fibres surrounding follicle)
- prostaglandin levels increase (cause contraction of ovary wall)
145
how is the corpus luteum formed?
after follicle ruptures releasing oocyte it collapses and granulosa cells invade area.
146
what does the corpus luteum secrete?
progesterone to maintain pregnancy
147
what happens to the corpus luteum if fertilisation of oocyte does not occur?
degrades around 12hrs post ovulation
progesterone and oestrogen levels fall
fibroblasts invade CL (corpus albicans)
disintegration marks end of ovarian cycle
148
what happens to the corpus luteum if fertilisation of oocyte does occur?
future placenta tissue secretes hCG
hCG maintain CL
after 2 months oestrogen and progesterone level maintain pregnancy without CL
149
what is the function of progesterone in the female reproductive system?
prepares for pregnancy
glands coil in endometrium and accumulate glycogen
spiral arteries grow towards surface
cervical mucus thickens
150
how does the combined pill work?
progestin (mimics progesterone) and oestrogen - feeds back to inhibit LH and GnRH
151
what is the average age of menopause?
52yrs
152
why does menstruation cease in menopause?
decreased oestrogen levels
153
what are then risks of using HRT?
increased thromboembolism and ovarian cancer
154
what is the pH of the vagina?
4.3
155
what is the pH of the cervix?
6-6.5
156
how does the semen protect the sperm from the hostile environment of the vagina?
it has a buffering effect -( increasing the pH to 7.2 within 10secs)
157
cervical mucus is not readily penetrable, how does the sperm get through?
the water content of cervical mucus increases in days 9-16.
158
where does the head of the spermatozoa bind to during fertilisation?
zona pellucida
159
what is polyspermy and how is it prevented during fertilisation?
more than one sperm fertilising the ovum.
| rapid depolarisation stops other sperm entering ovum
160
how many cells are present in the ovum 5 days post fertilisation and what are the cells called?
107 cells
| blastocyst
161
what are the inner cells f the blastocyst called?
embryoblast
162
what are the outer cells f the blastocyst called?
trophoblast - form placenta
163
when does implantation of the blastocyst occur?
8 days post fertilisation
164
where does the blastocyst implant?
within the stroma
165
name different types of ectopic pregnancy
```
abdominal
tubal (isthmic or ampullar)
infundibular
ovarian
interstitial
cervical
```
