Plate 11-1 Open full size image THE OOCYTE AND OVULATION The completion of the final steps of meiosis I and the release of the oocyte from the parenchyma of the ovary constitute the process of ovulation. Through a process that…
Plate 10-1 Open full size image OVARIAN STRUCTURES AND DEVELOPMENT The ovaries develop from a thickening of cells that form ridges medial to the müllerian and wolffian bodies. These germinal ridges appear at the sixth week. Primary oocytes, arising in…
Plate 9-1 Open full size image FALLOPIAN TUBES The fallopian tubes are musculomembranous structures, each about 12 cm in length, commonly divided into the intramural, isthmic, and ampullary sections. The intramural (interstitial) portion traverses the uterine wall in a more…
Plate 8-1 Open full size image PELVIC VISCERA The interrelationships between the uterus and the surrounding muscles, nerves, vessels, and organs determine both the pathophysiology of uterine function and dysfunction in addition to the therapeutic modalities available when pathologies exist.…
Plate 7-1 Open full size image THE VAGINA The vagina (from Latin, literally “sheath” or “scabbard”) serves as the portal to the internal female reproductive tract and a route of egress for the fetus during delivery. The viscera contained within…
Plate 6-1 Open full size image EXTERNAL GENITALIA The vulva includes those portions of the female genital tract that are externally visible in the perineal region. The mons veneris, overlying the symphysis pubis, is a fatty prominence, covered by terminal…
Plate 5-1 Open full size image ANATOMY OF A SPERM The mature spermatozoon is an elaborate, specialized cell produced in massive quantity, up to 1200 per second. Spermatogenesis begins when Type B spermatogonia divide mitotically to produce diploid primary spermatocytes…
PROSTATE AND SEMINAL VESICLES The prostate, seminal vesicles, and bulbourethral glands of Cowper are the accessory glands of male reproduction and contribute to the makeup of seminal fluid. Prostatic secretions are acidic and comprise the first and minor portion (10%…
Plate 3-1 Open full size image SCROTAL WALL The testicles are maintained in position within the scrotal cavity by the structures of the spermatic cord. Each testicle and spermatic cord is invested in six distinct tissue layers that are acquired…
PELVIC STRUCTURES The relationships of male pelvic structures are illustrated in these complementary sagittal views—a paramedian and a median section. In the lower median view, the complete course of the urethra from the bladder to the meatus at the end…