Canine Urogenital System – Review Flashcards

Question-and-answer flashcards summarizing major concepts of canine urinary and reproductive anatomy and physiology.

What hormone in male dogs is responsible for testicular descent, libido, and other secondary sexual characteristics?

Testosterone

Which hormone induces the behavioral and physical signs of estrus in female dogs?

Estrogen

Which hormone maintains the uterine lining and supports pregnancy in bitches?

Progesterone

Name the gametes produced by male and female animals.

Sperm cell (male) and egg cell/ovum (female)

What paired reddish-brown organs filter the blood and form urine in dogs?

Kidneys

What is the fibrous outer covering of the kidney called?

Renal capsule

Which indented region of the kidney is the entry/exit point for the renal artery, renal vein, and ureter?

Renal hilus

What is the superficial (outer) region of the kidney?

Renal cortex

What is the deeper, central region of the kidney that contains the loops of Henle and concentrates urine?

Renal medulla

Which funnel-like structure collects urine from the major calyces and leads to the ureter?

Renal pelvis

Name the two structures that make up a renal corpuscle.

Glomerulus and Bowman’s capsule

Which part of the nephron reabsorbs nearly all glucose and amino acids?

Proximal tubule

Which nephron segment primarily reabsorbs water?

Loop of Henle

Which nephron segments respond to antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and many diuretic drugs?

Distal convoluted and straight tubules

What is the role of Bowman’s capsule in the nephron?

It collects the plasma filtrate that leaves the glomerulus.

How do canine ureters propel urine from the kidneys to the bladder?

By rhythmic peristaltic smooth-muscle contractions

What pear-shaped, highly distensible organ temporarily stores urine?

Urinary bladder

Name the three anatomical parts of the urinary bladder and their basic roles.

Body (main storage portion), neck (constricted outlet), and trigone (funnels urine into the urethra)

Which paired ovoid structures within the scrotum produce spermatozoa in dogs?

Testes

What outer fibrous layer of the testes also forms the internal septa?

Tunica vaginalis

Which connective-tissue partitions divide the testis into lobules?

Septa (trabeculae)

Within which coiled structures does spermatogenesis occur?

Seminiferous tubules

Which interstitial cells secrete testosterone in the testis?

Leydig cells

What convoluted structure lying along the testis stores and matures sperm?

Epididymis

List the three parts of the epididymis (Latin terms).

Caput (head), corpus (body), cauda (tail)

Which muscular tube carries sperm from the epididymis and contracts during ejaculation?

Ductus (vas) deferens

What is the only accessory sex gland present in the male dog?

Prostate gland

Name the two major segments of the male canine urethra.

Pelvic urethra and penile urethra

Which muscle and scrotal layer contract to pull the testes closer to the abdomen in cold weather?

Cremaster muscle and tunica dartos

What is the term for failure of one or both testes to descend through the inguinal canal?

Cryptorchidism

Which ovarian structures are the primary source of estrogen in female dogs?

Ovarian follicles

After ovulation, which structure forms in the ovary and secretes progesterone?

Corpus luteum

State two broad functional roles of the ovary.

Endocrine (secretes estrogen and progesterone) and cytogenic (produces oocytes)

Give three main anatomical regions of the canine ovary.

Tunica albuginea, ovarian cortex, ovarian medulla

Which funnel-shaped segment of the uterine tube captures the oocyte after ovulation?

Infundibulum

What is the usual site of fertilization in bitches?

Ampullae (magnum) of the uterine tube

Which uterine type has long horns and a small body, typical of dogs and cats?

Bicornuate uterus

In which organ do embryos implant and develop during pregnancy?

Uterus

What is the birth canal through which the fetus is delivered?

Vagina

What term describes the external female genitalia in dogs?

Vulva

What is the basic structural and functional unit of the kidney?

Nephron

What paired tubular structures connect each kidney to the urinary bladder?

Ureters