Genitourinary System Overview Quiz

Genitourinary System Overview

• The genitourinary system encompasses both the urinary and reproductive systems.

Urinary System

• Components: Two kidneys, two ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra.
• Male Urethra: A common pathway for urine and semen, the prostatic urethra receives ejaculatory ducts.

Kidneys

• Location: Situated behind the peritoneum in the posterior abdominal wall, on either side of the vertebral column.
• Color: Reddish-brown.
• Hilum: A notch on the medial concave border, which houses the renal vein, renal artery, ureter, and lymph vessels.
• Suprarenal (Adrenal) Glands: Located on the upper pole of each kidney.

Renal Structure

• Cortex: Outer layer, with striations called medullary rays.
• Medulla: Inner layer composed of renal pyramids.
• Renal Pelvis (Renal Sinus): Upper expanded part of the ureter; divides into major and minor calyces.

Ureters

• Description: Muscular tubes extending from kidneys to the urinary bladder.
• Length: Approximately 25 cm.
• Constrictions: Three constrictions along the ureter's course: one where the renal pelvis joins the ureter; one where it crosses the pelvic brim; one where it pierces the bladder wall.

Urinary Bladder

• Description: Muscular sac that stores and excretes urine.
• Capacity: Approximately 500 ml.
• Ureters' opening: Ureters open into the urinary bladder.
• Urethra's opening: Urethra starts at the internal urethral orifice.
• Trigone: The internal surface of the bladder base is called the trigone.
• Trigone's angles: Superior angles of the trigone correspond to the ureters' openings. The inferior angle corresponds to the internal urethral orifice.

Male Urethra

• Length: 20 cm
• Parts: Prostatic, membranous, and penile parts
• Functionality: Common pathway for urine and semen.
• External urethral orifice: Located on the glans penis.

Female Urethra

• Length: 4 cm
• Functionality: Begins at urinary bladder and extends to external urethral orifice in the vestibule anterior to the vaginal opening.

Male Reproductive System

• Components: Testicles, ducts (epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory duct, urethra), accessory sex glands (seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral glands), and external genitalia (penis and scrotum).

Testes

• Structure: Oval-shaped, located in the scrotum.
• Lobules: Contains seminiferous tubules (1-4 per lobule).
• Rete Testis: Network of channels that the tubules open into.
• Efferent Ductules: Connect the rete testis to the epididymis.
• Interstitial Cells (Leydig Cells): Produce testosterone, positioned between seminiferous tubules.

Epididymis

• Structure: Coiled tube located posterior to the testes (approximately 6 meters).
• Vas Deferens: Tube extending from the epididymis tail, entering the spermatic cord.
• Maturation: Epididymis provides storage space and promotes sperm maturation.

Vas Deferens

• Structure: Thick-walled tube (~45 cm).
• Function: Carries mature sperm from epididymis to ejaculatory duct and urethra.
• Ampulla: Dilated terminal portion of vas deferens.
• Ejaculatory Duct: Formed by the union of vas deferens and seminal vesicle duct. Opens into the urethra.

Seminal Vesicles

• Structure: Two lobulated organs located on the posterior surface of the bladder.
• Function: Produce secretions added to seminal fluid.
• Ejaculatory Duct Formation: The vesicle ducts join the vas deferens to form the ejaculatory duct.

Prostate

• Structure: Fibromuscular glandular organ surrounding the prostatic urethra.
• Ejaculatory Duct Penetration: Ejaculatory ducts pierce the prostate.

Bulbourethral Glands

• Size: Small, pea-sized.
• Location: Situated near the base of the penis.

Scrotum

• Structure: Outpouching of the lower anterior abdominal wall.
• Contents: Contains testes, epididymides, and lower ends of spermatic cords.

Penis

• Structure: Fixed root and a free body (hanging).
• Glans Penis: Distal end of the penis.
• External Urethral Meatus: Orifice on the glans penis.

Female Reproductive System

• External Genitalia (Vulva): Labia majora, labia minora, vestibule of the vagina, clitoris.
• Internal Genitalia: Ovaries, uterine or fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina.

Ovaries

• Location: Upper pelvic cavity, on each side of the uterus.
• Functions: Produce ova (eggs), estrogen, and progesterone.

Uterine Tubes

• Structure: Extend from the uterus to the ovaries; connect to the peritoneal cavity.
• Function: Convey fertilized eggs toward the uterus via ciliary action and muscle contractions; fertilization happens in the tube.

Uterus

• Structure: Organ of gestation.
• Function: Fertilized egg implants and develops into a baby.

Vagina

• Structure: Muscular tube (~10 cm) extending from cervix to a vaginal orifice in the perineum.
• Location: Situated between the bladder anteriorly and the rectum posteriorly.

Test your knowledge of the genitourinary system, focusing on the anatomy and functions of the urinary and reproductive systems. This quiz will cover key aspects such as the components of the urinary system, kidney structure, and the role of ureters. Perfect for students studying human biology or anatomy.