L2 - Defining the male and female reproductive tracts

Question 1

What does the reproductive system consist of

Answer 1

• Gonads - ovaries
• Internal ducts - Uterine/fallopian tube, uterus, cervix and vagina
• External genitalia - Vulva (clitoris, vestibule, labia)

Question 2

Location of ovaries

Answer 2

• Housed in lateral wall of pelvis, inferior to pelvic inlet

Question 3

Function of ovaries

Answer 3

• Egg production

- Hormone secretion

Question 4

Blood supply to gonads

Answer 4

• Gonadal arteries and veins

Question 5

Innervation of ovaries

Answer 5

• Ovarian plexus(abdomen)

Question 6

Contents of the ovaries

Answer 6

• Ovarian cortex

- Ovarian medulla

Question 7

What does the ovarian cortex consist of

Answer 7

• Ovarian follicles - germ cells to become ova
• Smooth muscle cells
• Corpus luteum - secretes progesterone
• Theca secrete androgens and granulosa convert to oestrogen

Question 8

What does the ovarian medulla consist of

Answer 8

• Blood/lymph vessels and nerves

Question 9

Ova travel path

Answer 9

• Exiting the ovaries, within the abdomen

- Fallopian tubes –> uterus –> cervix –> vagina

Question 10

What are the fallopian tubes

Answer 10

• Passageway from ovaries to uterus (passage of ovum)

- Thin 8-10cm long tube

Question 11

What are fimbriae

Answer 11

• Finger-like projections that capture released ovum

Question 12

Divisions of the fallopian tubes

Answer 12

• Infundibulum
• Ampulla
• Isthmus

Question 13

Function of the inner wall

Answer 13

• Inner wall contain cilia that propel ovum

- Normally the site of fertilisation

Question 14

VAN - fallopian tubes

Answer 14

• Branches from uterine + ovarian arteries and veins

- Innervation: symp from ovarian (abdomen) and parasymp from pelvic splanchnic nerve

Question 15

Uterus body - shape

Answer 15

• Cone shaped

- Upper 2/3rd

Question 16

Uterus cervix - shape

Answer 16

• Cylindrical

- Lower 1/3rd

Question 17

Significance of the uterus

Answer 17

Site of implantation of fertilised egg and foetus development

Question 18

3 layers of the uterus

Answer 18

Perimetrium – outer serous wall covering the uterus

Myometrium – thick muscular layer, responsible for process of parturitium

Endometrium – inner mucous layer; site of implantation; thickness changes through menstrual cycle

Question 19

Innervation of the uterus

Answer 19

symp from the hypogastric plexus (along uterine artery); parasymp via the pelvic splanchnic n. Note: also vagina
• Touch and Pain (birth): via somatic afferents to S2-S4

Question 20

Internal ducts - vasculature

Answer 20

• Ovarian vessels
• Uterine vessels
• Vaginal arteries
• Internal pudendal artery

Question 21

What is the broad ligament

Answer 21

• The broad ligament of the uterus is the wide fold of peritoneum that connects the sides of the uterus to the walls and floor of the pelvis

Question 22

Layers of the cervix

Answer 22

• Inferior portion of uterus; cylindrical tube
• Thick muscular layer - support developing foetus
• Lumen - cervical canal
• Constricted openings at ends(os)
  Internal - communicating with uterus
  External - communicating with vagina

Question 23

Features of vagina

Answer 23

• Musculomembranous tube, 7-9 cm long

- Link cervix of uterus with vulva (vestibule)

Question 24

Function of vagina

Answer 24

• Canal for menstruation; receives penis during copulation (semen); forms part of birth canal

Question 25

External genitalia - female

Answer 25

- Mons pubis; labia minora and majora; clitoris; vestibular glands called bartholin

Question 26

What does the labia minora enclose

Answer 26

- Labia minora encloses the vestibule (openings for vagina and urethra) and the clitoris

Question 27

Functions of labia minora

Answer 27

* Labia – copulatory organ * Urethra – outflow of urine * Clitoris – arousal (erectile tissue) * Bartholin – lubrication of vestibule

Question 28

Blood supply/drainage - external genitalia

Answer 28

- Pudendal artery (erectile) | - Pudendal vein

Question 29

External genitalia - innervation

Answer 29

- Branches of genitofemoral and pudendal nerve(eg dorsal nerve of clitoris

Question 30

Male reproductive system - internal ducts

Answer 30

- Efferent ductules, epididymis, vas deferens, accessory glands(eg prostate), urethra

Question 31

Location of testis

Answer 31

- Housed in scrotum

Question 32

Function of testis

Answer 32

- Sperm production | - Hormone secretion

Question 33

Blood supply/drainage - testis

Answer 33

- Gonadal arteries and veins

Question 34

Innervation - testis

Answer 34

- Spermatic plexus

Question 35

Contents of the testis

Answer 35

``` • 250-300 lobules, each with 4 seminiferous tubules: Spermatogenic – generate sperm cells Sertoli – support germ cell production • Leidig cells (interstitial): secrete testosterone ```

Question 36

Structure of the spermatic cord

Answer 36

• Spermatic cord suspends testes in scrotum; contains vas deferens Blood (testicular) and lymphatic vessels cremaster muscle nerves (e.g. branch of genitofemoral) • Enter abdomen via superficial inguinal ring (then canal) • Deferens travels posteriorly, crosses over external iliacs and towards the back of bladder • Joined by duct seminal gland => ejaculatory duct

Question 37

Blood supply/drainage - Lower bladder and rectum

Answer 37

Lower bladder - inferior vesical arteries and veins Rectum - Middle rectal arteries and veins

Question 38

Seminal vesicles - innervation

Answer 38

- Symp innervation from the splanchnic and hypogastric plexus - Parasymp from the pelvic splanchnic nerves (S2-3)

Question 39

Bulbourethral glands - location

Answer 39

- pea sized glands; a.k.a. Cowpers glands; located inferior to prostate; secretion assists lubrication of ducts Blood: Inf vesicle + prostatic vessels (int iliac a)

Question 40

Divisions of the male urethra

Answer 40

- The male urethra is about 20cm long having three parts. It passes through the prostate (prostatic urethra), deep perineal pouch (membranous urethra) and then through the corpus spongiosum of the penis (penile urethra)