42 Questions
What is NOT a function of the scrotum in relation to the testicles?
It contains semen
What happens to the scrotum in response to cold conditions?
Muscles contract, pulling the testes up toward the warm body wall
Where are the testes located in the male reproductive system?
In the scrotum, outside the abdominopelvic cavity
Where are sperm produced in the male reproductive system?
Seminiferous tubules within the testes
From which arteries do the testes receive arterial blood?
Testicular arteries branching from the abdominal aorta
Where does the vas deferens transport sperm to?
Ejaculatory duct of the urethra
Which gland is situated inferior to the neck of the bladder in males?
Prostate gland
Where do the bulbourethral (Cowper's) glands drain into?
Spongy portion of the urethra
Where does the tumor of the prostate gland spread through the lymphatics?
Pelvic lymphatics to the lymph nodes around the internal and common iliac arteries and the aorta
What is the function of the secretions of the seminal vesicles?
Contribute nutrients to the liquid portion of semen
Where is the vaginal fornix located?
Superior end of the vagina, around the inferior end of the cervix
What is the route of spread for carcinoma of the prostate?
Hematogenous and lymphatic routes
Where does the vas deferens join the duct of the seminal vesicle?
To form the ejaculatory duct
Where does the prostate gland receive its blood supply from?
Deferential artery, prostatic venous plexus, and inferior vesical artery
Which part of the uterus opens into the vagina at the external os?
Cervix
What forms the rectouterine pouch, vesicouterine pouch, and the suspensory ligament of the ovary?
Peritoneal reflections
Which ligament connects the ovaries to the uterus?
Proper ovarian ligament
What is the normal position of the uterus?
Anteflexed and anteverted
Which ligaments stabilize the uterus through condensations forming the pubocervical, uterosacral, and transverse cervical ligaments?
Pelvic fascia
Which part of the uterine tubes transports the ovum and zygote from the ovary to the uterine cavity?
Ampulla
Which ligament connects the uterus to the labia majora?
Round ligament of the uterus
Which ligament encloses the uterus, uterine tubes, and ovaries, with visible posterior folds?
Broad ligaments
Which ligament creates the suspensory ligament of the ovary and connects the ovaries to the angle of the uterus?
Peritoneal reflections
Where does the superficial lymphatic drainage of the uterus and ovaries occur?
To the superficial inguinal nodes
Which vessels provide the blood supply to the female internal genitalia?
Uterine artery, ovarian artery, vaginal artery, and internal pudendal artery
Where is the vesicouterine pouch located?
Between the bladder and the uterus
Match each layer of the testes to its characteristic or function
Tunica Vaginalis = Thin serous membrane that forms the outermost covering of the testes. It is derived from the parietal peritoneum Tunica Albuginia = Tough fibrous outer surface. It thickens posteriorly to form the mediastinum testis. Mediastinum Testis = Sends septa into the testes dividing them into lobes Seminiferous Tubules = Sperm is produced here and they fill the lobes of the testes
Match each layer of the testes with its characteristic or function
Straight Tubules = Sperm leave the seminiferous tubules through these to go toward the rete testis, located in the mediastinum testis Efferent Ductules = Carry the sperm into the head and body of the epididymus Epididymis = Sperm matures here Ductus/ Vas Deferens = Transports semen to the penis. The tail of the epididymis is continuous with this
The testicular vein arises from the pampiniform plexus, which surrounds the testicular arteries and absorbs heat from the arterial blood, cooling it before it enters the testes.
True
Which structures do the left and right testicular veins drain into?
The right testicular vein drains directly into the inferior vena cava. The left testicular vein drains into the left renal vein, which in turn drains into the IVC.
The prostate does not play a role in the activation of sperm
False
Match each aspect of the prostate to its description
Apex = Points inferiorly. Is supported inferiorly by the muscles of the deep perineal space Base = Closely related to the neck of the bladder Ejaculatory Ducts = Pierce the posterior surface of the prostate and open into the prostatic urethra Middle lobe = Primary source of benign hypertrophy of the prostate
Describe the venous drainage of the prostate
Prostatic plexus --> lateral sacral vein --> internal iliac vein/internal vertebral plexus
Describe the lymph drainage of the prostate
Lymph nodes around the internal and common iliac arteries --> para-aortic nodes
Hematogenous spread of carcinoma of the prostate via the pelvic vein usually occurs early in the disease and produces systemic metastases.
False
Prostatic carcinoma shows a tendency to cause spongy metastases because there are many connections between the prostatic venous plexus and the internal vertebral veins
False
The proper ovarian ligament is continuous with
The pelvic viscera are subperitoneal
True
The uterine tubes are the only pelvic viscera completely covered by peritoneum, and are considered retroperitoneal
False
Which germ layer are the uterine tubes derived from?
Mesoderm
The pelvic fascia is an inferior continuation of the transversalis fascia
True
Match each ligament to its structures
Pubocervical ligament = Between the cervix and the pubis Uterosacral ligament = Between the cervix and the sacrum Transverse cervical ligament = Between the cervix and the lateral pelvic walls Mesosalpinx = Mesentery of the uterine tubes
Study Notes
Anatomy of Male and Female Internal Genitalia
- Under hot conditions, the scrotal skin becomes flaccid and loose, and the testes hang low to increase skin surface for cooling, performed by dartos and cremaster muscles.
- The testes are covered by visceral and parietal layers of the thin serous membrane, the tunica vaginalis, and contain seminiferous tubules where sperm are produced.
- The testes receive arterial blood from the testicular arteries branching from the abdominal aorta around L1 vertebral level, and the testicular veins drain to the left renal vein and the inferior vena cava.
- The vas deferens transports sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct of the urethra and joins the duct of the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct.
- The prostate gland, situated inferior to the neck of the bladder, has lobes including anterior, (infero)posterior, right and left lateral, and middle lobes.
- The blood supply to male internal genital organs includes the deferential artery, prostatic venous plexus, and inferior vesical artery, with lymph draining to the lymph nodes around the internal and common iliac arteries.
- The female internal genitalia include the vagina, a musculomembranous tube with a vaginal fornix, and is related anteriorly to the urethra and bladder.
- The secretions of the seminal vesicles contribute nutrients to the liquid portion of semen and the walls contract during ejaculation.
- Bulbourethral glands, located in the deep perineal pouch, also contribute to semen and drain into the spongy portion of the urethra.
- The tumor of the prostate gland spreads through the pelvic lymphatics to the lymph nodes around the internal and common iliac arteries and the aorta.
- Carcinoma of the prostate spreads through hematogenous and lymphatic routes, showing a tendency to cause bony metastases due to connections between the prostatic venous plexus and the internal vertebral veins.
- The vaginal fornix is a recess within the superior end of the vagina, around the inferior end of the cervix, with anterior, posterior, and lateral parts.
Female Pelvic Anatomy and Support Structures
- The uterus consists of the body, isthmus, and cervix, with the cervical canal opening into the vagina at the external os and into the uterus at the internal os. Its normal position is anteflexed and anteverted.
- The uterine tubes have four parts: infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus, and uterine (intramural) part, and transport the ovum and zygote from the ovary to the uterine cavity.
- The ovaries are female gonads and are connected to the uterus by the proper ovarian ligament and the round ligament of the uterus.
- Peritoneal reflections form the rectouterine pouch, vesicouterine pouch, and the suspensory ligament of the ovary, providing support for the female pelvic organs.
- The broad ligaments consist of double folds of peritoneum that enclose the uterus, uterine tubes, and ovaries, with the mesometrium, mesosalpinx, and mesovarium visible posteriorly.
- The pelvic fascia, an inferior continuation of the transversalis fascia, stabilizes the uterus through condensations forming the pubocervical, uterosacral, and transverse cervical (cardinal) ligaments.
- The blood supply to the female internal genitalia includes the uterine artery, ovarian artery, vaginal artery, and internal pudendal artery, each supplying specific regions.
- Lymphatic drainage of the uterus and ovaries occurs via the round ligament of the uterus to the superficial inguinal nodes, while the vagina drains to the superficial inguinal nodes as well.
- The kidneys and suprarenal glands are retroperitoneal, while the peritoneum covers the superior surfaces of the pelvic viscera, making them subperitoneal.
- The pelvic viscera, except for the uterine tubes, are considered subperitoneal, as they are not derived from the gut tube and are covered by peritoneum.
- The rectouterine pouch is the most inferior point of the peritoneal cavity in females, while the vesicouterine pouch is located between the bladder and the uterus.
- The peritoneum drapes over the ovarian vessels, creating the suspensory ligament of the ovary and connecting the ovaries to the angle of the uterus.
Test your knowledge of male and female internal genitalia with this anatomy quiz. Explore the structures, functions, and blood supply of the male and female reproductive systems, as well as the support structures of the female pelvis.
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