The Reproductive System Flashcards
(41 cards)
1
Q
Male reproductive system functions
A
- Production, maturation and storage of sperm
- Delivery of sperm in semen into the female reproductive tract
- The penis contains the urethra – a passageway for ejaculation of semen and excretion of urine
2
Q
Penis
A
- Penile tip has a triangular structure known as the glans penis
- The foreskin a moveable double layer of skin lies just above the glans
- Penile erection facilitated by stimulation, fills the spongy erectile tissue with blood caused by arteriole dilation and vasoconstriction which increases blood flow into the penis and obstructs outflow
3
Q
Puberty
A
- At puberty gnrh stimulates anterior pituitary secretion of IH and FSH
- IH stimulates leydig cells to produce testosterone – FSH and testosterone initiate spermatogenesis
4
Q
Testosterone
A
- Controls the growth, development and maintenance of sex organs
- Stimulates bone growth, protein anabolism, and sperm maturation
- Stimulates development of male secondary sex characteristics
5
Q
Inhibin
A
- Produced by sertoili cells
- Its inhibition of FSH helps regulate the rate of spermatogenesis
6
Q
Spermatogenesis
A
- Sperm production begins at puberty and continues throughout life under the influence of testosterone
- Sperm produced in the seminiferous tubules of the testes and mature as they pass through the epididymis where they are stored
- Takes makes at 3 degrees below the body temperature
- FSH from the anterior pituitary stimulates sperm production
- Testis are cooled by being positioned outside the abdominal cavity
- A mature sperm has a head, body and long whip like tail used for mobility
- The head is almost completely filled by the nucleus containing DNA
- Its nucleus also contains enzymes required to penetrate the outer layers of ovum to reach and fuse with
- The sperm body is packed with mitochondria to fuel the propelling action of the tail that powers the sperm along the female reproductive tract
7
Q
Ejaculation
A
- Sperm expelled from epididymis pass through deferent duct, ejaculatory duct and the urethra
- Semen propelled by rhythmical contraction of the smooth muscle in the walls of the deferent duct
- Muscle in walls of seminal vesicles and prostate gland also contracts and adds 60% seminal fluid 30% prostatic fluid to 10% sperm
8
Q
Penis has a root and a shaft
A
- Root anchors penis in the perineum
- Shaft is the externally visible, moveable portion of the organ
- 3 cylindrical masses of erectile tissue and smooth msucle
- 2 lateral columns called corpora cavernosa, and column between them which contains the urethra called the corpus spongiiosum
9
Q
Testes
A
- Male reproductive glands suspended in the scrotum by spermatic cords
- Each testis contains 200-300 lobules and each lobule contains 1-4 convoluted loops of seminiferous tubules
- Between tubules are groups pf interstitial cells that secrete testosterone
- Tubules combine at upper pole of testis to form a single 6m long and tightly packed tubule called the epididymis – leaves the scrotum as the deferent duct in the spermatic cord
10
Q
Scrotum
A
- Pouch of pigmented skin, fibrous and connective tissue and smooth muscle, lying behind the penis
- Divided into compartments, each contains a testis, an epididymis and the testicular end of the spermatic cord
11
Q
Spermatic cords
A
- Suspend testes in the scrotum
- The cord, covered in a sheath of smooth muscle, connective tissue and fibrous tissue, extends throughout the inguinal canal and is attached to testis on posterior wall
- Cremaster muscle can contract to pull scrotum towards body for protection
12
Q
Deferent ducts
A
45cm long, passing upwards from testis through inguinal canal towards posterior wall of bladder where it is joined by the duct from the seminal vesicles to form ejaculatory duct
13
Q
Seminal vesicles
A
- Two small fibromuscular pouches lined with columnar epithelium and lying posterior to bladder
- These contract and expel their stored contents, seminal fluid, during ejaculation
14
Q
Ejaculator ducts
A
- Two tubes formed by union of the duct from a seminal vesicles and a deferent duct
- They pass through the prostate gland and join the prostatic urethra, carrying seminal fluid and sperm to the urethra
15
Q
Prostate gland
A
- Lies in the pelvic cavity in front of the rectum and behind the symphysis pubis, completely surrounding the urethra
- Has a fibrous outer covering, the gland progressively enlarges with ages
- Produces thin, milky fluid, making up 30% of semen volume
- Contains a clotting enzyme which thickens the semen in the vagina
16
Q
Disorders
A
- Specific infections caused by STI such as gonorrhoea
- Non specific infections caused by lack of hygiene, spread of infections from urethra, after catheterisation
- Urethritis
- Epididymitis
- Orchiditis
- Prostatitis
- Phimosis – foreskin is tight and doesn’t retract
- Undescended testis
- Benign prostatic enlargement
- Hyperplasia obstructs flow of urine causing urine retention
17
Q
Female reproductive system functions
A
- Formation of ova
- Receive sperm
- Provide a suitable environment for fertilisation and foetal development
- Childbirth
- Lactation
18
Q
Labia majora
A
Large folds of fibrous tissue and fat covered in skin containing sebaceous and sweat glands
19
Q
Labia minora
A
Smaller folds of skin containing sebaceous and sweat glands
20
Q
Clitoris
A
Pea sized glands situated on each side near vaginal opening – secrete mucus to keep vulva moist
21
Q
Perineum
A
- Triangular area extending from base of labia minora to the anal canal and consists of connective tissue, muscle and fat
- Gives attachment of the muscles to the pelvic floor
22
Q
Vagina
A
- Fibromuscular distensible 7.5-9cm long tube lined with stratified squamous epithelium forming rugae – runs upwards and backwards from vestibule at dital end and cervix at proximal end
- Surface kept moist by cervical secretions – bacterium maintains ph between 4.9 and 3.5 acidity prohibits micro organisms growth
23
Q
Hymen
A
Thin mucous membrane stretching across external opening to vaginal lumen – incomplete to allow passage of menses
24
Q
Uterine (fallopian tube)
A
- Approx 10cm long extending from sides of uterus
- Smooth muscle middle layer and lined with ciliated tissue
- Trumpet style lateral ends open into peritoneal cavity
- Fimbriae close to ovary propel ovum after ovulation to uterus by cilia actio and peristalsis
- Fertilisation occurs in the tube
25
Ovaries
1. Female glands attached to upper part of uterus by ovarian ligament and to the back of the broad ligament
2. 2 layers of tissue
3. A central vascular medulla and outer cortex covered by germinal epithelium and contains follicles
4. Females have immature follicles from birth
26
The uterus
Muscular pear shaped organ usually anteverted so anterior walls rests partly against bladder forming the vestico-uterine pouch between organs
27
3 layers of tissue in the uterus
1. Perimetrium – blanket of peritoneum over uterus, tubes and ovaries
2. Myometrium – thick, smooth muscle fibre layer
3. Endometrium – columnar epithelium layer of connective tissue which undergoes marked changes during the menstrual cycle
4. Functional layer - shed during menstruation
5. Basal layer - permanent layer
28
3 parts of the uterus
1. Fundus – dome shaped with openings to fallopian tubes
2. Body – 2/3 of uterus and narrow downs to the internal os
3. Cervix – narrow neck protruding through anterior wall of vagina at the external OS
29
Supporting structures
1. Supported in pelvic cavity surrounding organs and ligaments suspending uterus from walls of the pelvis
2. Broad ligaments – double fold of peritoneum on each side of the uterus where the uterine tubes enclosed
3. Round ligaments – bands of muscular and fibrous tissue between 2 layers of broad ligament on each side of uterus and fuse with labia majora
4. Uterosacral ligaments – extend from posterior wall of cervix and vagina on each side of the rectum to sacrum
5. Transverse cervical ligaments – extend from each side of the cervix and vagina to side wall pelvis
6. Pubocervical ligaments – extend from cervical ligaments on each side of bladder
30
Female reproductive cycle
1. Includes the ovarian and uterine cycles
2. Series of changes occurs in the ovaries and uterine lining stimulated by changes in blood concentration hormones
3. Controlled by GNRH released from the hypothalamus
4. Anterior lobe of pituitary secretes FSH which initiates the development of one or more follicles to start to mature
5. As ovum matures follicle secretes oestrogen which is necessary for proliferation of the functional layer of endometrial in preparation to receive the fertilised ovum
6. Once oestrogen levels reaches a critical concentration in the blood further secretion of FSH in prevented and IH is released triggering ovulation
7. This IH surge promotes transformation of the ruptured follicle into the corpus leteum which secretes progesterone some oestrogen and inhibin
8. Oestrogen levels begin to decline reflecting the damage to the dominant oestrogen secreting follicle during ovulation
9. If fertilisation has not occurred the corpus luteum begins to degenerate the levels of progesterone oestrogen and inhibin decrease and the functional layer of the endometrium dependent on high levels of the hormones is shed
10. Low progesterone levels stimulate the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary to resume
11. If fertilisation and implantation occur activity of the corpus luteum is maintained by a IH like hormone, HCG released by the developing embryo as it embeds into the uterine wall
12. During this time embryo undergoes rapid cell division
31
Blastocyst contains
1. Inner cell mass develops into the foetus its amniotic sac and bag of membranes enclosing it
2. Outer layer the trophoblast becomes an important layer of the placenta
32
Blastocyst functions
1. Ovarian cycle – development of a secondary oocyte
2. Uterine cycle – preparation if the endometrium to receive fertilised egg
3. The ovaries produce secondary oocytes and hormones including oestrogens progesterone inhibin and relaxin
4. The uterine tubes transport a secondary oocyte to the uterus and normally are the sites where fertilisation occurs
5. The uterus is the site of implantation of a fertilised ovum development of the foetus during pregnancy and labour
6. The vagina receives the penis during sexual intercourse and is a passageway for childbirth
7. The mammary glands synthesise secrete and eject milk for nourishment of the newborn
33
Disorders - endometriosis
1. Growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus
2. Like uterine endometrium responds to fluctuations in sex hormone levels during menstrual cycle causing bleeding in associated areas
3. 1/10 women up to 50% in infertile women
34
Signs and symptoms of endometriosis
1. Dysmenorrhea
2. Dyspareunia
3. Chronic pelvic pain
4. Infertility
5. Depression
6. Chronic fatigue
7. Back legs and chest pain
35
Disorders - infertility
May be due to
1. Problems related to ovulation
2. Blocked / damaged fallopian tubes
3. Anatomical abnormalities
4. Endocrine facts
5. Endometriosis
36
Other risks - ectopic pregnancy
1. Implantation of a fertilised ovum outside the uterus most commonly the fallopian tube
2. As foetus grows the tube may rupture and contents enter the peritoneal cavity
3. May lead to peritonitis and potentially fatal intraperitoneal haemorrhage
37
The breasts
1. Breasts contain glandular tissue supported by fatty tissue and fibrous connective tissue anchoring breast to chest wall
2. Develop under influence of oestrogen and progesterone
3. Function – secrete and eject milk
4. Each breast contains 20 lobes containing glandular structures called lobules where milk is produced
5. Lobules open into lactiferous ducts draining milk towards the nipple
38
The nipple
1. Small cornicle protrusion at centre of breast surrounded by pigmented area the areola
2. Areola contains tiny sebaceous glands lubricating nip during lactation
3. Milk production is stimulated by prolactin from the anterior pituitary oestrogens and progesterone
4. Oxytocin from the posterior pituitary stimulates milk release in response to stimulation of nipple via suckling
39
Breast disorder - benign breast tumours
1. Fibroadenomas most common and occur anytime after puberty
2. Other tumours can be cystic or solid usually occur around menopause and may originate from secretory cells, fibrous tissue or from ducts
40
Breast tumours
1. Most common worldwide
2. Most commonly occurs in upper outer quadrant of breast, fibrous of tumour may cause retartcion of nuplle and ulceration of overlying skin
41
Risk factors for breast tumours
1. Increasing age
2. Alcohol consumption
3. Obesity
4. Late menopause
5. No pregnancies
6. Genetic element
