Anatomy of The Male and Female Reproductive Systems

Question 1

What are the primary male reproductive organs?

Answer 1

Prostate, seminal vesicles, testes, epididymis, ductus deferens, penis.

Question 2

What is the function of the prostate gland?

Answer 2

Secretes about 30% of seminal fluid; surrounds the urethra and ejaculatory ducts.

Question 2

What is the blood supply to the prostate?

Answer 2

Inferior vesical artery (main), with support from middle rectal and internal pudendal arteries.

Question 2

What are the zones of the prostate gland?

Answer 2

Peripheral (posterior, palpable in rectal exams), Central (surrounds ejaculatory ducts), Transitional (surrounds urethra).

Question 3

What is a hydrocele?

Answer 3

Accumulation of fluid in the tunica vaginalis of the testis, confined to the scrotum.

Question 4

What is the female homologue of the male penis?

Answer 4

Clitoris (both arise from the genital tubercle).

Question 5

What is the female homologue of the male scrotum?

Answer 5

Labia majora (both derive from labioscrotal swellings).

Question 6

What male structure is homologous to the female Skene’s glands?

Answer 6

Prostate gland (both secrete fluid and arise from urogenital sinus).

Question 7

What male structure is homologous to the female Bartholin’s glands?

Answer 7

Bulbourethral glands (both provide lubrication).

Question 8

Which male reproductive organ produces testosterone?

Answer 8

Testes (Leydig cells in interstitial tissue).

Question 9

What is the role of the pampiniform plexus in the testes?

Answer 9

Cools arterial blood before it reaches the testes (thermoregulation for spermatogenesis).

Question 16

What is varicocele?

Answer 16

Varicosity of the pampiniform plexus of veins, usually on the left side.

Question 16

What is the route of sperm from production to ejaculation?

Answer 16

Seminiferous tubules → Rete testis → Efferent ductules → Epididymis → Ductus deferens → Ejaculatory ducts → Urethra.

Question 16

What nerves are responsible for erection and ejaculation?

Answer 16

Parasympathetics (S2-3) for erection; sympathetics (L1) for ejaculation.

Question 16

What is the function of the seminal vesicles?

Answer 16

Produce about 60% of seminal fluid; located behind the bladder.

Question 16

What are the parts of the penis?

Answer 16

Root (bulb + crura) and shaft (corpus spongiosum + 2 corpora cavernosa).

Question 16

What are the primary female reproductive organs?

Answer 16

Ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, vulva.

Question 16

What is the function of the ovaries?

Answer 16

Produce ova (eggs) and hormones (estrogen, progesterone).

Question 16

What are the parts of the fallopian tube?

Answer 16

Interstitial, isthmus, ampulla, infundibulum (with fimbriae).

Question 17

What are the three parts of the uterus?

Answer 17

Fundus (above tubes), body (main portion), cervix (narrow lower part).

Question 17

What is the blood supply to the ovaries?

Answer 17

Ovarian artery; drained by pampiniform plexus into ovarian veins.

Question 17

What is the normal position of the uterus?

Answer 17

Anteverted (angled forward relative to vagina) and anteflexed (fundus bent forward over body).

Question 17

What is the clinical significance of the uterine artery's relation to the ureter?

Answer 17

The uterine artery crosses above the ureter near the cervix ("water under the bridge"); important in hysterectomies to avoid ureteral injury.

Question 17

What are the supports of the uterus?

Answer 17

Ligaments (broad, round, ovarian, uterosacral, cardinal), pelvic/urogenital diaphragms, perineal body.

Question 18

What are the components of the vulva?

Answer 18

Mons pubis, labia majora/minora, clitoris, vestibule, vestibular bulbs, Bartholin’s glands, Skene’s glands.

Question 18

What is the deepest part of the vaginal fornix?

Answer 18

Posterior fornix (related to the rectouterine pouch/pouch of Douglas).

Question 19

What is the homologue of the male prostate in females?

Answer 19

A: Skene’s glands (paraurethral glands).

Question 20

What is the function of Bartholin’s glands?

Answer 20

Secrete mucus for vaginal lubrication; ducts open into the vestibule.

Question 21

What is a vasectomy?

Answer 21

Surgical resection of the ductus deferens to prevent sperm transport.

Question 22

What is testicular torsion?

Answer 22

Twisting of the spermatic cord, cutting off blood supply; a surgical emergency.

Question 23

How is the prostate examined clinically?

Answer 23

Via digital rectal exam (DRE); the posterior surface is palpable through the rectal wall.

Question 24

What is a fistula in the context of reproductive anatomy?

Answer 24

An abnormal connection between organs (e.g., vesicovaginal fistula between bladder and vagina).

Question 25

What is the female homologue of the male penis?

Answer 25

Clitoris (both arise from the genital tubercle).

Question 26

What is the female homologue of the male scrotum?

Answer 26

Labia majora (both derive from labioscrotal swellings).

Question 27

What male structure is homologous to the female Skene’s glands?

Answer 27

Prostate gland (both secrete fluid and arise from urogenital sinus).

Question 28

What male structure is homologous to the female Bartholin’s glands?

Answer 28

Bulbourethral glands (both provide lubrication).

Question 29

What is the role of the pampiniform plexus in the testes?

Answer 29

Cools arterial blood before it reaches the testes (thermoregulation for spermatogenesis).

Question 29

Which male reproductive organ produces testosterone?

Answer 29

Testes (Leydig cells in interstitial tissue).

Question 30

Which female structure is the site of fertilization?

Answer 30

Fallopian tube (typically in the ampulla).

Question 31

What uterine layer is shed during menstruation?

Answer 31

Endometrium (functional layer).

Question 32

Why is left-sided varicocele more common?

Answer 32

Left testicular vein drains into the renal vein (longer course, higher pressure) vs. right vein drains directly into IVC.

Question 33

What complication can arise from blockage of Bartholin’s gland ducts?

Answer 33

Bartholin’s cyst (painful swelling near vaginal opening).

Question 34

Why is the posterior fornix clinically significant?

Answer 34

Site for culdocentesis (fluid aspiration from pouch of Douglas in ectopic pregnancy or infection).

Question 34

Why is prostate enlargement common after age 40?

Answer 34

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) occurs in the transitional zone, compressing the urethra.

Question 35

What is the danger zone of the penis?

Answer 35

Deep dorsal vein (lies in Buck’s fascia; rupture can cause compartment syndrome).

Question 36

Which prostate zone is most prone to cancer?

Answer 36

Peripheral zone (70% of cancers; palpable via rectal exam).

Question 37

Which prostate zone is most prone to benign enlargement?

Answer 37

Transitional zone (surrounds urethra; BPH origin).

Question 38

What is the median sulcus of the prostate?

Answer 38

Groove on the posterior surface (palpable during rectal exam; lost in BPH/cancer).

Question 39

What muscle supports the prostate laterally?

Answer 39

Levator ani (specifically levator prostatae).

Question 40

What is the sinus of the epididymis?

Answer 40

Space between the body of the epididymis and the testis.

Question 41

Why must surgeons avoid the uterine artery near the cervix?

Answer 41

The ureter passes under it ("water under the bridge"); risk of ureteral injury during hysterectomy.

Question 42

What is the narrowest part of the male urethra?

Answer 42

External urethral meatus (tip of penis).

Question 43

Where is a vasectomy performed?

Answer 43

On the ductus deferens in the scrotal sac (cutting/ligating to block sperm transport).

Question 44

Where do the testes drain lymphatically?

Answer 44

Para-aortic nodes (NOT inguinal; embryologically originate in abdomen).

Question 44

Where does the prostate drain lymph?

Answer 44

Mainly internal iliac nodes (some to external iliac).

Question 44

Where does the scrotum drain lymphatically?

Answer 44

Superficial inguinal nodes (unlike testes).

Question 44

Where does the cervix drain lymph?

Answer 44

External/internal iliac nodes.

Question 45

What is the function of the cremaster muscle?

Answer 45

Elevates testes for thermoregulation (via cremasteric reflex).

Question 45

What is the role of the dartos muscle?

Answer 45

Wrinkles scrotal skin to reduce heat loss.

Question 45

What is the clinical term for inflammation of the glans penis?

Answer 45

Balanitis.