Female & Male Genital Systems – Comprehensive Bullet-Point Notes

Course Context

Course: Normal Human Body Module (Course code IMP-07-10103)
Phase: I (First year / First Semester)
Academic year: 2022/2023
Duration: 5 weeks
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Olfat Anwar Abd El Aty – Professor of Anatomy & Embryology (email: Olfatanwar.medg@azhar.edu.eg)

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

Describe gross anatomy of every part of the Female Genital System (FGS) and Male Genital System (MGS) with emphasis on shape, length, parts.
State normal positions, locations, connections for both systems.
Clarify uterine relations within the pelvis.
List female genital tubes & male genital ducts.
Describe the vulva; enumerate its structures.
Follow the complete pathway of sperm from testes to exterior.

FEMALE GENITAL SYSTEM (FGS)

Overview

Three broad components:
1. Two ovaries (primary sex organs)
2. Female genital ducts – uterine tubes, uterus, vagina
3. Vulva – external genitalia

Ovaries

Function: Produce ova + secrete female sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone).
Shape/Size: Oval; $3\,\text{cm}$ long × $2\,\text{cm}$ wide.
Position: Pelvic cavity, one on each side of uterus, close to lateral pelvic wall.
Upper pole: Attached to fimbriae of uterine tube via ovarian fimbria/ovarian ligament.

Significance / Clinical Relevance

Primary site for oogenesis & hormonal cyclicity (menstrual/ovarian cycles).
Close topography with uterine tube → important for ovum capture; ectopic pregnancies in tube often traced to mal-capture.

Female Genital Ducts

1. Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes

Number: Two; situated in upper free margin of the broad ligament.
Length: Approximately $10\,\text{cm}$ .
Medial opening: Superior angle of uterus.
Lateral opening: Fimbriated end embraces ovary.
Function: Conduct ovum toward uterus; ciliary & muscular movement.
Fertilization: Normally occurs in lateral 1⁄3 of tube.

2. Uterus

Nature: Hollow, thick-walled, muscular, pear-shaped organ.
Location: Median in pelvic cavity, posterior to urinary bladder & anterior to rectum.
Continuities: Inferiorly with vagina; superolaterally receives uterine tubes.
Size (adult, non-pregnant): $7.5\,\text{cm}$ length × $5\,\text{cm}$ breadth × $2.5\,\text{cm}$ thickness.

Anatomical Parts

Fundus – Rounded portion above uterine tube entries.
Body – Main portion; thick wall; triangular cavity → communicates with cervical canal.
Cervix – Narrow, projects into upper vagina; cervical canal connects uterine cavity (via internal os) to vagina (via external os).

Pelvic Relations (high-yield)

Anterior: Urinary bladder (vesicouterine pouch).
Posterior: Rectum (rectouterine pouch of Douglas).
Lateral: Broad ligament, uterine arteries, ureters.

3. Vagina

Role: Female copulatory canal & birth canal.
Composition: Fibromuscular.
Extent: From cervix to vulva.
Length: Anterior wall ≈ $7.5\,\text{cm}$ ; Posterior wall ≈ $9\,\text{cm}$ (posterior wall longer owing to cervix projection).

Vulva (Female External Genital Organs)

Collective term embracing visible and deep structures at vestibule level.
Components (superficial to deep):
1. Mons pubis – fatty pad over pubic symphysis.
2. Labia majora (outer lips) – hair-bearing folds.
3. Labia minora (inner lips) – thin, hairless folds.
4. Clitoris – erectile, homologue of penis.
5. External urethral orifice.
6. Vaginal vestibule & opening.
7. Bulbs of vestibule – erectile tissue flanking vaginal orifice (deep).
8. Greater vestibular (Bartholin) glands – secrete mucous for lubrication.

MALE GENITAL SYSTEM (MGS)

Overview

A. Two testes (primary sex organs)
B. Male genital ducts
C. Accessory glands
D. External genital organs

Testes

Function: Produce spermatozoa & secrete testosterone.
Shape/Size: Oval; $4\text{–}5\,\text{cm}$ length × $2.5\,\text{cm}$ breadth × $3\,\text{cm}$ anteroposterior.
Suspended in scrotum by scrotal tissues (spermatic cord, dartos, septum).
Intra-scrotal placement keeps temperature $2^{\circ}\text{C}$ below core → vital for spermatogenesis.

Male Genital Ducts

1. Epididymis

Tortuous single duct ≈ $6\,\text{m}$ long, compacted into head, body, tail.
Lies posterolateral to testis.
Temporary storage & maturation site for sperm.

2. Vas (Ductus) Deferens

Continuation of epididymal tail.
Course: Ascends in spermatic cord → enters pelvis via inguinal canal → joins duct of seminal vesicle to form ejaculatory duct.
Muscular wall propels sperm during ejaculation.

3. Ejaculatory Ducts

Formed by union of vas deferens & seminal vesicle duct (each side).
Length: ≈ $2\,\text{cm}$ .
Path: From base of prostate → anteroinferior through gland → open into prostatic urethra.

4. Urethra (Male)

Dual urinary & reproductive pathway.
Length: $18\text{–}20\,\text{cm}$ .
Parts: Prostatic, membranous, spongy (penile).
Terminates at external urethral meatus at glans penis.

Accessory Glands

1. Seminal Vesicles

Paired, elongated (~ $5\,\text{cm}$ ) between urinary bladder & rectum.
Secrete viscous, fructose-rich seminal fluid (major semen volume) → nutrition, alkalinity, prostaglandins.

2. Prostate

Fibromuscular-glandular organ, size of golf ball.
Encircles beginning of urethra inferior to bladder.
Adds thin milky secretion for sperm lubrication, nutrition, and motility.

3. Bulbo-urethral (Cowper’s) Glands

Two small (~ $1\,\text{cm}$ ), yellowish, inferior to prostate.
Ducts open into penile urethra.
Secrete mucous-like pre-ejaculate → neutralizes urethral acidity, lubricates.

External Male Genital Organs

1. Penis

Male copulatory organ; composed of three cylindrical bodies of erectile tissue (2 corpora cavernosa, 1 corpus spongiosum).
Parts: Root (attached, perineal) & free body (shaft) ending in highly sensitive glans penis.
Traversed by urethra → conducts urine & semen.

2. Scrotum

Cutaneous fibromuscular sac; hangs below pubic symphysis, posterior to penis.
Median septum divides into right & left compartments housing testis + epididymis + initial vas deferens.
Thermoregulation: Maintains testicular temperature $\approx 2^{\circ}\text{C}$ below core via dartos muscle contraction/relaxation & sweat evaporation.

Journey of Sperm (Pathway Summary)

$\text{Testis} \longrightarrow \text{Epididymis (Head→Body→Tail)} \longrightarrow \text{Vas Deferens} \longrightarrow \text{Ejaculatory Duct} \longrightarrow \text{Prostatic Urethra} \longrightarrow \text{Membranous Urethra} \longrightarrow \text{Penile (Spongy) Urethra} \longrightarrow \text{External Urethral Meatus} \longrightarrow \text{Exterior}$

Sample Multiple-Choice Questions (Lecture Drill)

Primary female sex organ? → Ovary.
Site of normal fertilization? → Lateral third of uterine tube.
Location of seminal vesicles? → Between urinary bladder & rectum.
Prostate lies? → Below urinary bladder.
Male copulatory organ? → Penis.

Integrated / Comparative Points

Homology: Clitoris ↔ Penis (erectile tissue origin).
Both systems possess primary sex organs (ovary/testis) producing gametes & steroid hormones.
Duct systems (uterine tubes / epididymis-vas deferens) transport gametes; fertilization typically occurs externally to the gamete-producing organ.
External genitalia in both sexes house copulatory structures & openings of genital ducts.

Practical & Clinical Insights

Knowledge of pelvic relations of uterus crucial for hysterectomy & C-section.
Temperature regulation by scrotum fundamental; cryptorchidism (undescended testis) threatens fertility.
Enlarged prostate impedes urinary flow; anatomical awareness guides digital rectal exam & transurethral resections.
Bartholin gland infections → vulvar abscesses; deep location explains presentation.

Qurʼānic Epigraph (Lecture Opening)

"In the earth are signs for those of assured faith; and in yourselves – do you not see?"
— Surat adh-Dhāriyāt, $21$