|
I use the term pelvic factor infertility to refer to a wide range of (male and female) disorders that can (1) prevent a normally produced sperm and a normally produced egg from joining (accomplishing fertilization) within a woman’s fallopian tube or (2) impair subsequent implantation of the fertilized egg within the (female) uterus.
Sperm is produced in the (male) testes (within the scrotal sac under the penis) and is “stored” within a collection of (tiny) tubes (on top of the testes) called the epididymis. Sperm remains in the epididymis (where it continues to mature) for up to 2 weeks prior to release within an ejaculate. Upon ejaculation, sperm (from the epididymis) is joined with semen (from the seminal vesicles) and prostatic fluid (from the prostate gland) during its relatively lengthy course through (a tube called) the vas deferens.
The series of structures leading (sperm) from the testes through the penile urethra are called the male “outflow tract.”
During marital relations (sexual intercourse) sperm (within semen) is ejaculated from the penis and is directly deposited into the woman’s vaginal vault (canal). During the course of relations (thrusting) semen comes into contact with cervical mucus and at this interface some of the sperm will move out from the (male) semen into the (female) cervical mucus. Sperm normally can live within the (periovulatory) cervical mucus for a few days during which time sperm may travel from the mucus through the uterine canal to the fallopian tubes. Fertilization generally occurs in the fallopian tube.
Available Drawings:
Available Case Reports:
At ovulation the ovary gently releases a mature egg into the pelvis, normally near the (fimbriated) end of the fallopian tube. The egg is “picked up” by the fimbria of the tube and then quickly moves through the tube toward the uterus (the egg may be within the mid portion of the fallopian tube within a few minutes of ovulation). The mature egg is “fertilizable” (good) for about 12 to 24 hours.
Available Drawings:
Available Case Reports:
The “fertilized egg” (preimplantation embryo) remains in the fallopian tube for about 3 days prior to entering the uterine cavity. Once the fertilized egg is in the uterine cavity it will “float within uterine secretions” for about 2-3 days, hatch from its “shell” (zona pellucida), and adhere to the cavity’s lining (endometrium) to initiate implantation (about 6-7 days after ovulation).
Available Drawings:
Available Case Reports:
Available Photos:
|
|