Development Of The Reproductive Tract Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is the epididymis?
A tightly coiled mass of thin tubes that carries sperm from the testes to the ductus deferens in the male reproductive system. Sperm matures as it passes through the epididymis so that it is ready to fertilize ova.
What are seminal vesicles?
A pair of glands which open into the vas deferens near to its junction with the urethra and secrete many of the components of semen.
What are bulbo-urethral glands?
Also called the Cowper’s glands, the secretions produced by them help to protect sperm as it passes through the urethra during ejaculation. In response to sexual stimulation prior to ejaculation, the Cowper’s glands begin producing an alkaline mucous secretion known as pre-ejaculate.
What is the function of the prostate gland?
The main function is to secrete prostate fluid, one of the components of semen. The muscles of the prostate gland also help propel this seminal fluid into the urethra during ejaculation.
Describe the location of the prostate gland.
It surrounds the urethra just beneath the bladder.
What is the function of vans deferens?
The function of vas deferens, also called ductus deferens, is to transport sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts for the production of ejaculation.
What is the function of the ovaries?
They have two main reproductive functions in the body. They produce oocytes for fertilisation and they produce the reproductive hormones, oestrogen and progesterone.
What is the function of the Fallopian tubes?
They transport the ova from the ovary to the uterus each month. In the presence of sperm and fertilisation, the uterine tubes transport the fertilised egg to the uterus for implantation.
What is the function of the uterus?
To nurture the fertilised ovum that develops into the fetus and hold it till the baby is mature enough for birth.
What is the function of the cervix?
To allow flow of menstrual blood from the uterus into the vagina, and direct the sperms into the uterus during intercourse.
What is a vestibule?
A space or cavity at the entrance to a canal, channel, tube, or vessel.
What is a gland derived from?
Intermediate mesoderm and primordial germ cells.
Describe the origin and initial movement of primordial germ cells.
They arise in the yolk sac and migrate into the retroperitoneum, along the dorsal mesentery.
What is the mesonephric duct also known as?
Wolffian duct
What is the paramesonephric duct also known as?
Müllerian duct
Describe the development of paramesonephric hric ducts in females reproductive development.
Two paramesoneohric ducts appear as invaginations of the epithelium of the urogenital ridge.
They travel in two directions, caudally and cranially, until they reach the cloaca and abdominal cavity respectively.
Describe how the vagina is formed from the two paramesonephric ducts.
The vagina is derived from 2 tissues. The cloaca produces the first 2/3rds of the vagina as the paramesonephric duct pushes into it as it descends. This leads to a tissue of endoderm origin on the first 2/3rds of the vagina. This is in comparison to the mesoderm found in the final 1/3rd of the vagina, the cervix and the uterus from the paramesonephric duct that has fused.
Describe what happens to the redundant mesonephric duct in females.
There is no androgen stimulation therefore the duct degenerates.
Explain why the paramesonephric duct doesn’t form in males.
The testis secrete Mullerian Inhibiting Substance (Hormone) which causes the duct to degenerate.
Describe what the following become in the external genitalia of a male.
- Genital tubercle
- Genital folds
- Genital swellings
- Glans penis
- Urethra
- Scrotum
Describe what the following become in the external genitalia of a female.
- Genital tubercle
- Genital folds
- Genital swellings
- Clitoris
- Labia minora
- Labia majora
What is hypospadias?
Hypospadias is a congenital disorder of the urethra where the urinary opening is not at the usual location on the head of the penis.
