Medicine Core Block - Anatomy -The Reproductive System (UCLan)

Reproductive System - Male

• Testis (External): Region of sperm production.
• Scrotum (External): Contains testes and other structures, and also helps in temperature regulation of testes.
• Epipdidymis (External): Stores mature spermatozoa
• Ductus Deferens (External/Internal): Transports sperm towards the ejaculatory duct during ejaculation.
• Seminal Vesicles (Internal): Accessory glands that contribute fluid to ejaculate.
• Ejaculatory Vesicles (Internal): Fusion of a ductus deferens and seminal vesicles to transmit ejaculate to the urethra.
• Prostate (Internal): Accessory glands that contribute fluid to ejaculate.
• Urethra (Internal): Collects formed ejaculate and transmits it along the penis to the orifice as well as urine from the bladder.
• Bulbo-Urethral Glands (Internal): Accessory glands that lubricate the urethra before ejaculation.

Reproductive System - Female

• Ovary (Internal): Site of egg production, Ovulates mature eggs towards the uterine tubes

• Uterine tube (Internal): ‘Catch’ ovulated eggs. Transports eggs/zygotes to the uterus which causes fertilization.

• Uterus (Internal): Muscular organ that can expand during pregnancy and where implantation of the zygote should occur and fetus growth takes place.

• Cervix (Internal): Inferior aspect of the uterus and boundary between uterus and vagina

• Vagina (Internal): Copulatory organ for sperm to be directed to and enter the uterus

• Vulva (External): External genitalia composed of the clitoris, labia minora and labia majora

• Greater vestibular glands (Internal): Accessory glands located at the inferior pole of bulbs of the vestibule that provide lubrication to the vestibule of the vagina during sexual stimulation.

  Pelvic Floor and Perineum

• Pelvic Floor: Composed of muscles and fascia. It does this by supporting pelvic and abdominal contents and has other important biological processes such as defecation, micturition, and childbirth. Has openings to allow the passage of structures from the pelvic cavity to the perineum and external orifices.

• Perineum: Located towards the pelvic floor between the thighs. The perineum inferior border is the pelvic outlet, but divided into two triangles by an imaginary line from each ischial tuberosity:

  • Urogenital Triangle: Contains the roots of the external genitalia.
  • Anal triangle: Located posteriorly, orientated inferiorly, and posteriorly at a 120’ angle against the urogenital triangle.

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