Reproductive System Flashcards
(147 cards)
1
Q
What are the gonads?
A
Organs where gametes (sex cells) are produced.
2
Q
Describe the Pelvis.
A
Bony basin between the trunk and the lower limbs, includes the hip bones, sacrum and coccyx.
3
Q
What are the two regions of the pelvis?
A
Pelvic Inlet and Pelvis Outlet.
4
Q
What are the two pelvic subdivisions?
A
False/greater pelvis and the True/lesser pelvis.
5
Q
In what pelvic subdivision do you find the reproductive organs?
A
True/lesser pelvis.
6
Q
What are the differences in the male and female pelvis?
A
Females have a broader subpubic angle, an oval inlet and a straighter coccyx. Males have a narrower subpubic angle, a heart-shaped inlet and a curved coccyx.
7
Q
What two muscles make up the pelvic floor?
A
Levator ani and Coccygeus
8
Q
What is the purpose of the pelvic floor (diaphragm)?
A
Together the muscles form a sling that helps support the internal reproductive organs.
9
Q
What are the names of the two triangles?
A
Blue - Urogenital triangle.
Green - Anal triangle.
10
Q
Where is the male perineum located?
A
The region inferior to the pelvic floor and between the upper region of the thighs.
11
Q
Fill in the gap.
A
- Lesser/true.
- Urogenital
- Anus
- Anus
- Vagina
12
Q
What is the function of the male reproductive system?
A
To produce spermatozoa and transport into the female reproductive tract.
13
Q
Fill in the gaps.
A
Scrotum
Testes
Epididymis
Ductus deferens
14
Q
What are the body parts that make-up the the Scrotum?
A
Two testes, two epididymides and two spermatic cords.
15
Q
What do the testes produce?
A
Sperm, testosterone and inhibin.
16
Q
What is the dense fibrous capsule that surround the testes called?
A
Tunica Albuginea
17
Q
The testes have lobules containing what?
A
Seminiferous tubules.
18
Q
The tubules join to form what?
A
Rete testis.
19
Q
What cells produce testosterone?
A
Interstitial endocrine (Leydig) cells.
20
Q
What cells produces inhibin?
A
Nurse (Sertoli) cells.
21
Q
What are the three regions of an epididymis?
A
Head, body and tail.
22
Q
Where does the sperm enter and exit the epididymis?
A
Enter from seminiferous tubules and exit via ductus deferens.
23
Q
Where is the site of sperm maturation?
A
Epididymis.
24
Q
How long does it take for sperm to travel the length of the tubule?
A
2 weeks.
25
Explain the Ductus deferens.
Continues from the epididymis and starts in the spermatic cord. Covered by smooth muscle, runs behind the urinary bladder and dilates to form the ampulla.
26
What are the two functions of the male urethra?
Urination and ejaculation.
27
What are the three sections of the male urethra?
Prostatic, membranous and penile/spongy urethra.
28
What is retrograde ejaculation?
The internal sphincter doesn't close up, therefore sperm ends up in the bladder.
29
Fill in the gaps.
1. Seminiferous tubules.
2. Epididymis.
3. Ductus deferens.
4. Urethra.
5. Membranous.
30
Where would you find a spermatogonia?
Found in the wall of a seminiferous tubule.
31
What are the two muscles involved with the scrotum?
Dartos muscle and Cremaster muscle.
32
Why are the testes housed outside of the body?
To maintain temperature at 34 degrees.
33
What is the purpose of the Dartos muscle?
Contract and wrinkle the skin of the scrotum to reduce surface area and hold warmth.
34
What is the purpose of the Cremaster muscle?
Contracts and shortens to bring the testes upwards towards the body when cold, this is to use body temperature for warmth.
35
What does the spermatic cord contain?
The ductus deferens, blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics.
36
Where is the spermatic cord located?
Runs between abdomen and testes.
37
What are the two functions of the penis?
Urination and Copulation.
38
What are the regions of the penis?
Root (bulb), Body and Glans covered prepuce aka the foreskin.
39
What is the most dominant tissue of the penis?
Erectile tissue.
40
What are the three cylindrical erectile tissues of the penis?
Two corpora cavernosa and one corpus spongiosum.
41
What is the blue and green label?
Blue = Corpus Spongiosum
Green = Corpus Cavernosum
42
What erectile tissue is least erectile and why?
The corpus spongiosum is not as erectile as the cavernosum, this is to prevent it from blocking off the urethra.
43
Seminal fluid is mostly produced by what three accessory glands?
Seminal vesicles, Prostate gland and the Bulbourethral glands.
44
What is the purpose of seminal fluid?
To provide the optimum environment for spermatozoa, maintain pH and contain nutrients for mortality and survival.
45
What are the components of semen? (percentages)
~ 60% from seminal vesicles
~ 30% from prostate
~ 5% from bulbourethral glands
and therefore 5% spermatozoa
46
What is a Vasectomy?
Surgical method of sterilisation in males where the ductus deferens is cut and the ends are tied or cauterised.
47
What is Gametogenesis?
Formation of the gametes (sex cells).
48
What is Gametogenesis called respectively in males and females?
Spermatogenesis in males and Oogenesis in females.
49
What is Spermatogenesis?
The process by which spermatogonia are transformed to mature spermatozoa.
50
When does spermatogenesis occur in male lifetime?
Continuously from puberty onwards.
51
Where does Spermatogenesis occur?
In the seminiferous tubules.
52
What takes place during Spermatogenesis 1?
The process of mitosis divides spermatogonia into 2 daughter cells (spermatogonium). One spermatogonium (type A) stays at the basement membrane of the seminiferous tubule.
53
What takes place during Spermatogenesis 2?
The second spermatogonia (type B) differentiates into a primary spermatocyte which then undergoes meiosis 1. This then forms 2 secondary spermatocytes.
54
What takes place during Spermatogenesis 3?
The 2 secondary spermatocytes undergo meiosis 2 to form spermatids (haploid). The spermatids mature into spermatozoa (via spermIOGENESIS) which are then released into the lumen of the seminiferous tubule.
55
What is the difference between spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis?
Spermatogenesis is the formation of spermatozoa from spermatogonia. Spermiogenesis is the maturation of spermatids into spermatozoa which occurs in the process of spermatogenesis.
56
What reproductive hormones are produced in the anterior pituitary?
LH and FSH.
57
What reproductive hormone is produced by the hypothalamus?
GnRH
58
Inhibin is secreted by what type of cells?
Nurse (sertoli) cells.
59
Testosterone is produced by what type of cells?
Interstitial endocrine (Leydig) cells.
60
How does the negative feedback loop regulate spermatogenesis?
Inhibin suppresses FSH and Testosterone suppresses LH and GnRH.
61
What is the function of the female reproductive system?
To produce oocytes, transport ova and sperm to the ampulla, provide a site for the embryo and fetus to grow and delivery of fetus.
62
What is the front of the pubic symphysis called?
Mons pubis.
63
What structures make up the female vulva?
Labia majora, labia minora and the space between called the vestibule.
64
What structure lubricates the vaginal orifice?
Vestibular glands.
65
What is the clitoris?
Complex erectile organ containing glans, body, crura (x2) and bulbs (x2).
66
What are the two regions the perineum is divided into?
Urogenital and Anal triangle.
67
What are the two different vestibular glands?
Greater and Lesser.
68
What are the five main structures of the female reproductive tract?
Ovaries
Uterine tubes
Uterus
Cervix
Vagina
69
What are the three regions of the uterine tube.
Ampulla, isthmus, infundibulum.
70
What are the three layers of the uterus?
Perimetrium (outer layer), Myometrium (smooth muscle) and Endometrium (inner layer).
71
What is the thickest layer of the uterus?
Myometrium.
72
What are the functions of the Cervix?
Produces cervical mucus, regulates sperm transport and allows for stretch during labour.
73
What is the vagina?
Fibromuscular, distensible female copulatory organ.
74
What is the structure and function of the vagina?
Extends from the perineum to the cervix and functions as part of the birth canal.
75
What is the blood supply to the ovaries and uterus?
Direct branches off the abdominal aorta and internal iliac arteries.
76
What makes up the uterine blood supply?
Acute arteries (goes around) and radial artery (towards lumen).
77
Where does fertilisation occur?
Ampulla
78
What are the three regions of the uterus?
Body, fundus and the cervix.
79
The ovary is the site of what?
Oogenesis and hormone production.
80
What is the structure of the ovary?
Bilateral structures that lie lateral and posterior to the uterus, making up the lateral portion of the true pelvic cavity.
The outer cortex contains the follicles and the inner medulla the connective tissues and vessels.
81
What are the ligaments of the female reproductive system?
Broad ligament
Ovarian ligament
Suspensory ligament
Round ligament
82
What are the three regions of the broad ligament?
Mesometrium, Mesosalpinx and Mesovarium.
83
The peritoneum does not cover the entire reproductive system, what are the names of the "pouches" formed?
Vesicouterine and rectouterine pouch.
84
Where are Mammary glands located?
Breasts.
85
What hormones stimulate development of breast tissue?
Estradiol and progesterone.
86
What makes up the mammary glands?
Secretory alveoli, Lactiferous duct and Lactiferous sinus.
87
What provides support to the mammary glands?
Suspensory ligaments.
88
What is the female gonad?
Ovary.
89
Where abouts are the oocytes found within the ovary?
Cortex of the ovary.
90
What are the fingerlike projections of the infundibulum?
Fimbraie (opening of uterine tube).
91
When do oocytes start being produced?
Prior to being born.
92
Oogenesis is initiated before birth but continues when?
Between puberty and menopause.
93
Where do oocytes develop?
Within ovarian follicles - 1 oocyte per follicle.
94
Other-than oocytes what else do the ovaries produce?
Estradiol and progesterone.
95
What is a difference between the female and males processes of mitosis and meiosis etc?
Females start with a primary oocyte and after the two divisions end up with one mature oocyte.
96
What type of oocytes complete meiosis 2?
Only the ones that get fertalised.
97
When does oogenesis occur?
Before birth.
98
Oogonia differentiate to form what cell?
Primary oocytes encases in a primordial follicle.
99
Meiosis halts at what stage until puberty begins?
Prophase 1
100
How many oocytes does a female have at puberty?
~ 300,000 oocytes.
101
What is atresia?
Type of cell death.
102
How many oocyte will complete development and ovulate?
Only one.
103
The primary oocyte completes meiosis 1 and forms what next?
Forms a secondary oocyte and 1st polar body (both haploid).
104
Where does the secondary oocyte halt?
At metaphase 2 until fertilisation.
105
When does meiosis 2 resume?
When the sperm penetrates plasma membrane of the ovum at fertilisation.
106
What happens if the oocyte is not fertilised?
Will degenerate through process of atresia and never complete meiosis.
107
Follicles are multilayered, what two cells do these layers contain?
Granulosa and Theca cells.
108
What cells produce estradiol?
Granulosa.
109
Only one follicle goes on to ovulate, what is the follicle called?
The dominant follicle.
110
What is the role of GnRH?
Stimulates release of FSH and LH.
111
What is the role of FSH?
Stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles.
112
What is the role of LH?
Surge of LH involved in ovulation, formation of corpus luteum.
113
What is the role of estradiol?
Assists follicle growth, bone and muscle growth, endometrial growth, secondary sex characteristics and feedback to the anterior pituitary.
114
What is the role of inhibin?
Negative feedback to anterior pituitary to suppress FSH.
115
What is the role of progesterone?
Negatively feeds back to suppress GnRH (therefore LH and FSH), endometrial maturation and maintains pregnant state.
116
What does menarche mean?
First menstraul period.
117
When does menopause occur?
Typically in early 50s, eventually females run out of oocytes so menstraution stops.
118
What are the two key phases in the ovarian cycle?
Follicular and Luteal phase.
119
Explain the hormones within day 1-14?
Increased FSH stimulates follicular growth. The growing follicles secrete estradiol and inhibin, which reduces FSH from anterior pit (negative feedback). Growing follicles undergo atresia, except the dominant follicle. The dominant follicle secretes larger amounts of estradiol. This creates a surge of LH (positive feedback). Follicle ruptures and ovulation occurs.
120
Explain the hormones during days 15-28 (luteal phase)?
The ovulated follicle collapses and forms the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone, estradiol and inhibin. These then decreases FSH and LH secretion (negative feedback on hypothalamus). If fertilisation and implantation do not occur, the corpus luteum involutes and there is a fall in progesterone and estradiol. This removes the negative feedback on FSH and LH and the cycle starts again.
121
The Menstrual cycle is split into what two phases?
Menstraul and Proliferative, and Secretory.
122
Explain day 1 - 14 of the Menstrual cycle?
Endometrium breaks down and bleeds during menstruation. Estradiol then stimulates endometrial growth from days 6 - 14. This is rapid tissue growth that includes growth of gland and vasculature.
123
Explain days 15 - 28 of the Menstrual cycle?
After ovulation (day 14) the corpus luteum secretes progesterone and estradiol to prepare for possible implantation. Glands become secretory and spiral arterioles grow and coil (which is super important during pregnancy).
124
What happens if fertilisation and implantation do not occur?
The corpus luteum degenerates, progesterone levels fall, spiral arteries contract, endometrial tissue breaks down and bleeding occurs. Tissues and blood shed from body via the cervix and vagina.
125
The definition of a menarche is what?
The onset of menstrual cycles.
126
The definition of menopause is what?
The cessation of menstrual cycles.
127
What is it called when the penis penetrates the vagina?
Coitus.
128
What is insemination?
Semen released into upper part of the vagina.
129
What are the two phases of ejaculation?
Emission and expulsion.
130
What is the facia of the penis made of?
The erectile tissues are surrounded by different layers of fascia. There are spaces called lacunae that are made of ECM and smooth muscle. There is also a venous plexus that surrounds each column of erectile tissue.
131
How does the clitoris and penis compare?
They share developmental origins and the tissues of the clit are erectile like the penis.
132
What are the male and female gonadal arteries?
Ovarian artery and testicular artery.
133
Explain the branching of the abdominal aorta?
Abdominal aorta --> common iliac artery --> internal iliac artery --> internal pudendal artery.
134
How does blood supply cause an erection?
Lacunae fill up with blood which puts pressure on the venous plexus and minimises the return of blood to the body.
135
What is the nerve supply of the penis?
Penis has many sensory and motor nerves, sensory fibres respond to touch, pressure and temp, involves parasympathetic and sympathetic innervation.
136
Is erection parasympathetic and sympathetic?
Parasympathetic.
137
Is ejaculation parasympathetic and sympathetic?
Sympathetic.
138
What is it called when the erect penis can be inserted into the vagina?
Intromission.
139
What does emission involve?
Smooth muscle of the ductus deferens contracts to move sperm into the ampulla via peristaltic contractions.
140
What does expulsion involve?
Semen in urethra activates somatic and sympathetic reflexes, contractions of urethral smooth muscles leads to pelvic floor contraction and semen is ejected.
141
What is resolution?
Blood flow to the penis is reduced and becomes flaccid.
142
What are the stages of the female sexual response?
Engorgement of clitoris, labia and vagina in response to autonomic stimulation, this causes lubricating fluid secreted through vaginal wall and secretion of mucus into vestibule. The uterus elevates upwards and increases in width and length.
143
What is an orgasm?
Rhythmic contraction of vaginal uterine and perineal (pelvic floor) muscles.
144
What happens to the oocyte once fertilised?
Oocyte completes meiosis 2 and is now known as a zygote. The zygote initiates cleavage and travels towards the uterus for implantation.
145
What is contraception?
Any method used to prevent pregnancy.
146
What is a natural method of contraception?
Avoiding implantation during days leading into ovulation and ovulation.
147
What are some examples of sterilisation?
Tubal ligation, Vasectomy and in some cases a Hysterectomy.
