Reproductive systems - Relevant structures male & female

20 important questions on Reproductive systems - Relevant structures male & female

What are the peritoneal spaces?

The space within the abdomen that contains the intra-abdominal organs.

Why are these peritoneal spaces relevant for medical practice?

If there is an excess of fluids in the abdomen, it will accumulate in the peritoneal spaces.

How is the blood supply to and from the testes/ovaries?

- Blood supply to the testes: testicular artery, blood supply to the ovaries: ovarien artery (both directly from the aorta)
- Blood supply from the testes: testicular vein, blood supply from the ovaries: ovarian vein (both directly to the vena cava)
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Which artery/vein is an exception on this?

A vein on the left side, which does not directly flow to the vena cava, but flows to the renal vein (which flows to the vena cava).

What are the three places in the lower abdomen with the most lymphoid structures, and why is this important?

- Para-aortal, iliacal and inguinal are the most lymphoid structures
- This is relevant for metastasis.

How is the innervation of the elements of the reproductive system?

- In the somatic nervous system, the organs are innervated by the pudendal nerve (efferent and afferent), which branches of from the sacral plexus
- In the autonomous system, the organs are innervated by the superior hypogastric plexus and the inferior hypogastric plexus.

What is the inguinal canal?

A connection between the skin and the abdominal cavity (in males: connection between scrotum and abdominal cavity, in females: connection between labia majora and abdominal cavity).

What happens in the development of the reproductive organs in males in week 8?

- The testes and epididymis develop
- The gabernaculum develops and attaches to the testis and epididymis caudally

What is the next step in the development of the male reproductive system?

The scrotum expands from the abdominal wall, which starts as the labrioscrotal swelling.

What happens while the torso of the embryo grows faster?

- The testis and the epididymis move,
- and form the processus vaginalis (which is an outpouching of the peritoneum)

What happens after the formation of the processus vaginalis?

- It obliterates,
- and the distal part forms the tunica vaginalis 
(when it remains intact, it can cause problems)

What happens to the vas deferens after the obliteration of the processus vaginalis?

It remains in the 'canal'.

In this process of the descending of the testis and epididymis in the scrotum, what is the consequence for the layers of the scrotum?

The layers of the abdominal wall have moved along, so the scrotal structure is comparable to the abdominal wall.

What is the structure of the 'walls' of the inguinal canal?

  • The anterior (or lateral) wall is formed by the external oblique
  • The posterior (or medial) wall is formed by transverse fascia
  • The inferior wall (floor) is formed by the inguinal ligament
  • The superior wall (roof) is formed by the internal oblique abdominal muscle and by the transverse abdominis muscle

What are the contents of the inguinal canal in males?

  • Spermatic cord
  • Ilioinguinal nerve

For what kind of innervation is the ilioinguinal canal?

- Sensible innervation for scrotum, labia and thigh
- Motoric innervation for the muscles of the abdominal wall

What are the contents of the inguinal canal in females?

  • The round ligament of the uterus
  • Ilioinguinal nerve

What is an inguinal hernia?

A protrusion of abdominal contents through a weak spot in the wall of the inguinal canal.

What are two possible places for herniation in the inguinal canal?

  • Through the deep inguinal ring, which is a lateral or indirect hernia
  • Through the transverse fascia, which is a medial or direct hernia

When does it need to be treated, and how is it treated?

- It needs to be treated when there is strangulation (emergency)
- Muscles are attached to the inguinal ligament, or clips and mesh patches are used to keep everything in place

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