| CODE | MDS1029 | ||||||
| TITLE | Reproduction | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Faculty of Medicine and Surgery | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit covers the relationships between structure and function of the male and female reproductive systems. It includes anatomy and physiology of the male and female reproductive systems; hormonal control of spermatogenesis and oogenesis; stimulation of oogenesis; cyclical changes in the female genital tract; histology of the male and female genital systems; hormonal control of puberty, assisted fertility, contraception, pregnancy and childbirth. In addition to lectures, students will be exposed toclinical anatomy, histology, and imaging. During these sessions students are stimulated to perform specified tasks and guided as to what is expected of them through worksheets. Students will also be required to participate in regular case-based group discussions followed by in-depth analysis of the underlying scientific basis of common clinical conditions through facilitated Critical Thinking Sessions. These are based on carefully selected clinical cases that are intended to stimulate the student to think and discuss critically the presented problems and to formulate basic scientific and clinical concepts as well as ethical, behavioural and professional principles. The common features of these learning sessions is that they involve active participation, are student centered and conducive to independent learning as a prelude to continuing life-long education. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit provides students in the biomedical sciences with an integrated approach to the study of the reproductive system including the gross and microscopic anatomy, how the reproductive system functions in health and disease, and an introduction to laboratory tests and imaging relevant to the reproductive system. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to describe the structure and function of the male and female genital systems. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Identify on bones and radiographs the bony landmarks of the pelvis, the main differences between a male and a female pelvis and how these relate to delivery. - Demonstrate on the skeleton the orientation and attachments of the ligaments of the pelvis and the layout of the muscles forming the pelvic wall and floor. - Identify major pelvic structures in MRI, CT scans and other diagnostic images. - Outline the anatomical principles underlying referred pain from the pelvic viscera. - Outline the anatomy of the penis, the testis and its coverings, the epididymis, vas deferens, prostate and seminal vesicles and their important relations. - Demonstrate on models the anatomical principles underlying examination of male genital structures. - Name the blood supply, venous drainage and nerve supply of the penis and outline the mechanisms of erection and ejaculation. - Outline the lymphatic drainage of the scrotum, testes and prostate and the likely routes of spread of cancers arising in these structures. - Outline the histology and function of the main parts of the male duct system and the prostate gland, and state which tissues are affected in benign hypertrophy and cancer of the prostate. - Outline the anatomy of the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tube and ovary, their associated peritoneal coverings and important relations. - Demonstrate on models the anatomical principles underlying a vaginal examination and taking cervical smears. - Outline the lymphatic drainage of the ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina, and vulva and the possible routes of spread of a carcinoma affecting each of these structures. - Describe the anatomy of the anterior and posterior perineum, the superficial and deep perineal pouches and the functional anatomy of the ischio-anal fossa. - Describe the origin, course and branches of the pudendal nerve and the sites where it may be injected for anaesthesia during childbirth. - Outline the histology of the main parts of the female reproductive system including the ovarian follicles at different stages of development. - Briefly outline the embryological development of the male and female genital organs and the principles sexual differentiation. - Outline the physiology of sexual function in the male and female. - Outline the nomenclature of the stages of spermatogenesis and oogenesis, their relation to meiosis and their timing throughout life. - Name the functions and main characteristics of the Sertoli cells and the interstitial (Leydig) cells of the testes. - Describe the hormonal changes leading to pubertal development, the maintenance of secondary sex characteristics, and the clinical application of hormones in delayed puberty. - Outline the hormonal control of spermatogenesis and oocyte maturation, and the cyclical hormonal changes in the uterine and the ovarian cycle. - Describe the anatomical and physiological changes in the female genital tract at menarche, during the menstrual cycle, in preparation for pregnancy, and after the menopause. - Outline the physiology underlying the use of hormones for contraception, stimulation of ovulation and assisted conception. - Describe the function of the fetal-placental-maternal endocrine unit from the time of implantation through to birth and the early postpartum phase. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts for Anatomy: Clinical Anatomy by Regions,Snell,R.S., 10th Edition, January 2018 ISBN-13: 978-1496345646 ISBN-10: 1496345649 Weir and Abrahams’ Imaging Atlas of Human Anatomy, Spratt J, Salkowski L, Loukas M, Turmeze T, Weir J and Abrahams P. 5th Edition, 2016. ISBN: 9780723438267 Wheater's functional Histology. A text and colour atlas. Young B, O'Dowd G and Woodford P. 7th Edition, 2013. ISBN 9780702047473 Langman's Medical Embryology Sadler T 12th Edition, 2011 ISBN-13: 978-1451191646 ISBN-10: 1451191642 Main Text for Physiology: Textbook of Medical Physiology Guyton & Hall 13th Edition, 2015 ISBN-13: 978-1455770052 ISBN-10: 1455770051 |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study & Tutorial | ||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Sarah Xuereb Ernest Azzopardi Jean Calleja Agius (Co-ord.) Marie Therese Camilleri Podesta' Nikolai Pace |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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