Page 655 - First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 2020, Thirtieth edition [MedicalBooksVN.com]_Neat

HIGH-YIELD SY STEMS

Reproductive

SEC TION III

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“Artificial insemination is when the farmer does it to the cow instead of the `Embryology 612
bull.”
—Student essay `Anatomy 624

Make no mistake about why these babies are here - they are here to `Physiology 629
replace us.
—Jerry Seinfeld `Pathology 638

“Whoever called it necking was a poor judge of anatomy.” `Pharmacology 655
—Groucho Marx
“See, the problem is that God gives men a brain and a penis, and only
enough blood to run one at a time.”
—Robin Williams

The reproductive system can be intimidating at first but is manageable
once you organize the concepts into the pregnancy, endocrinologic,
embryologic, and oncologic aspects of reproduction. Study the
endocrine and reproductive chapters together, because mastery of
the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is key to answering questions
on ovulation, menstruation, disorders of sexual development,
contraception, and many pathologies.

Embryology is a nuanced subject that covers multiple organ systems.
Approaching it from a clinical perspective will allow for better
understanding. For instance, make the connection between the
presentation of DiGeorge syndrome and the 3rd/4th pharyngeal pouch,
and between the Müllerian/Wolffian systems and disorders of sexual
development.
As for oncology, don’t worry about remembering screening or treatment
guidelines. It is more important to know how these cancers present (eg,
signs and symptoms) and their associated labs, histopathology, and risk
factors. In addition, some of the testicular and ovarian cancers have
distinct patterns of hCG, AFP, LH, or FSH derangements that serve as
helpful clues in exam questions.

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