Anatomy of the Reproductive system.

What are the ovaries suspended in?

Mesovarium

Where does the body of the uterus usually lie?

On the superior surface of the empty urinary bladder

The uterus is normally anteverted and anteflexed.

What does anteverted and anteflexed mean?

Uterus is tipped anteriorly relative to the vagina and flexed anteriorly relative to the cervix

What two parts can the uterus be divided into?

The body - Upper 2/3 of the uterus which is superior to the cervix.

The cervix - The cylindrical canal which projects into the vagina.

Label the diagram of the female reproductive organs.

1) Opening of the uterine tube

2) Uterine tube

3) Fundus

4) Body

5) Cervix

6) Vagina

What are the narrow parts superior to the cervix on the left and right of the uterus?

Isthmus

The narrow parts superior to the cervix.

What three layers make up the wall of the uterus?

Perimetrium

Myometrium

Endometrium

What is the perimetrium layer of the uterus wall?

Thin layer of connective tissue

Outer layer of the uterus.

What is the myometrium layer of the uterus wall?

Layer of smooth muscle which provides contractile strength required during labour and menstruation

Contains main branches of blood vessels/nerves

Middle layer of the uterus

What is the endometrium layer of the uterus wall?

Mucous lining of the uterus which proliferates and degenerates in the menstrual cycle

During pregnancy, the proliferation of the endometrium provides the site for implantation of the blastocyst

What does the uterus rely on to maintain it’s position?

No skeletal support

Relies on muscles (pelvic floor muscles) and connective tissues (uterosacral ligaments)

What are fimbriae and what is their role?

To waft released ova into the open end of the uterine tube.

What is the inferior opening of the cervix called? (Opening into the vagina)

The external os

What is the superior opening of the cervix called? (Opening into the uterus)

The internal os

What is the structure between the internal and external os called?

Cervical canal

What is Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)?

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia refers to changes in the cellular composition of the tissue

• Stage 1: Mild and unlikely to develop into cancer.

• Stage 2: Moderate with a 50% risk of becoming cancerous.

• Stage 3: Severe and encompasses the first stages of cervical cancer.

Where does the inferior end of the vagina open into?

Opens in the vestibule, a depression between the labia minora

What is the vaginal fornices?

When the vagina recesses around the cervix, small folds anteriorly and posteriorly to the cervix

These folds are the vaginal fornices

• One anterior fornix

• One posterior fornix

What is the vulva?

External genitalia of a female.

Made up of:

• External glans clitoris

• Labia majora and minora

• Vestibule

• Skin folds

What are the two parts of the clitoris

Body and glans

Only the glans clitoris is part of the external genitalia while the body sits deep within the perineum

What is the prepuce (also known as the clitoral hood)?

The labia minora bisect and envelop the clitoris anteriorly which forms the prepuce/clitoral hood

What is the clitoris a homologue of?

The male penis.

What is the prepuce/clitoral hood a homologue of?

The foreskin of the penis.

What is an ectopic pregnancy?

When the egg implants elsewhere and not into the uterine lining.

The most common location is the fallopian tubes.

What are the testes suspended by?

Suspended in the scrotum by the spermatic cord.

What is the name of the fibrous coat which covers the testes?

The tunica albuginea

What is fibrous septa in the testes?

Fibrous tissue which divides each testis into lobules.

What lies within the lobules of the testes?

Coiled seminiferous tubules.

What are the coiled seminiferous tubules and where do they open into?

Tubules which open into a network of channels called the rete testis.

Efferent ductules join the rete testes to the epididymis

What is the epididymis?

Long coiled tube which lies posterior to the testes.

It is so tightly compacted that it appears like one solid mass.

What is the role of the epididymis?

Acts as storage and a maturation site for spermatozoa

What is the tail of the epididymis continuous with?

Continuous wit the ductus (vans) deferens which passes into the spermatic cord

What is the tunica vaginalis?

Double layered connective tissue which forms a closed peritoneal sac

The visceral layer is closely applied to the testis, epididymis and the inferior part of the ductus deferens

The parietal layer extends further superiorly than the visceral layer and reaches into the distal spermatic cord

Why is there a small amount of fluid in the cavity of the tunica vaginalis?

Allows the testis to move freely and reduces friction.

What does the spermatic cord consist of?

The ductus (vans) deferens (which carries sperm)

Blood vessels (which supply/drain testicular blood)

Sympathetic and somatic nerves

Lymphatic vessels

What three layers cover the spermatic cord?

Internal spermatic fascia

Cremasteric fascia

External spermatic fascia

What are the internal spermatic fascia, cremasteric fascia and external spermatic fascia derived from?

Derived from the layers of the abdominal wall as the testis pass through them as they descend into the scrotum during early childhood.

What is the ductus deferens and were does it go?

It’s a continuation of the epididymis.

Ascends in the spermatic cord into the abdominal cavity before looping over the ureter on it’s respective side and descending posterior to the urinary bladder.

It then combines with the duct of the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct.

What are the seminal vesicles and where do they lie?

Obliquely placed, elongated glands which lie posteroinferior to the bladder, anterior to the rectum and inferior to the peritoneum.

What is the role of the seminal vesicles?

To secrete components of seminal fluid which mixes with sperm as they pass into the ejaculatory ducts.

Produce 60-70% of the final volume of seminal fluid.

Do NOT store sperm.

What are the ejaculatory ducts and where do they arise?

Combination of the ductus deferens with the ducts of the seminal vesicles.

Arise near the neck of the bladder and pass through the posterior part of the prostate.

Where do the ejaculatory ducts open into?

Open into the urethra within the prostate.

This is known as the prostatic urethra.

What is the purpose of the prostate?

Secretes prostatic fluid which is thin and milky. These secretions aid motility of the sperm.

Supplies 20-25% of the volume of semen.

What are the bulbourethral glands and where do they lie?

Glands which lie immediately inferior to the prostate glands at the level of the membranous urethra.

Glands which usually open into the penile/spongy urethra soon after the external urethral sphincter.

What is the role of the Bulbourethral glands?

Secrete a transparent and viscous fluid.

• This adds some volume to semen

The fluid is also known as ‘pre-ejaculate’ which flushes out the urethra and acts as a lubricant.

Label the diagram of the male reproductive system.

1) Vans Deferens

2) Seminal vesicles

3) Ejaculatory duct

4) Prostate gland

5) Bulbourethral gland(s)

6) Testes

What are the names of the erectile tissue found throughout the penis?

Corpus spongiosum and Corpora cavenosa

Which erectile tissue does the penile/spongy urethra travel through?

Corpus spongiosum.

The sponginess of the tissue avoids occlusion of the urethra during an erection

What is the frenulum of the penis?

The skin which connects the skin of the body of the penis to the glans penis.